Elk

Elk County was named after the large herds of Elk that once roamed this region in large numbers. It was formed from parts of Jefferson, Clearfield, and McKean Counties as an act of the Pennsylvania Legislature on April 18, 1843. It has a population of 34,878 and encompasses over 806.8 square miles of farm land, forests, lakes, mountains, rivers, and much much more. Elk County provides opportunities for year round recreation as well as employment in industry, farming, conservation, forestry, education, retailing, etc. Whether you are traveling here on business, recreationing with friends/family, or looking for a new place to call home, Elk County has abundant resources to fulfill your dreams.

The elk were reintroduced to Pennsylvania beginning in 1913. The first herd of 50 Rocky Mountain elk traveled from Yellowstone in Wyoming to Pennsylvania by train. They were released into Clearfield and Clinton Counties. Two years after the initial release program began; an addition 95 elk were transported from Yellowstone for release into Pennsylvania. This was the beginning of today's elk or "wapiti" in Pennsylvania.