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 diverse landscapes, including farmland, forests, lakes, mountains, rivers, and other natural features.

Elk County offers opportunities for year-round recreation, as well as employment in various industries, including farming, conservation, forestry, education, and retail. Whether you are traveling here on business, recreating with friends/family, or looking for a new place to call home, Elk County has abundant resources to fulfill your dreams.

Elk County has a unique and eventful history. The Indians lived here for centuries before the White Man came. Near Russell City in Highland Township, evidence of Indian fort ruins can be seen, which date back to the 13th century.

Elk County was settled late due to the difficulty of navigating the heavily forested mountains. Pioneers went west by the broad valleys of New York State and then south to the west of us. It was the early 1800s that people were enticed into this area by promises of excellent waterways for shipping their lumber fortunes to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Even today, most of Elk is the Allegheny National Forest.

At one time, Ridgway, the county seat, had more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the world, primarily due to the wealth generated from the lumber industry. Tanneries followed, and fine woodworking was used in buildings in the nation's capital and several state capitals, as well as in many homes in the county. Then came paper making, coal mining, the carbon industry, and the production of powdered metal. Elk County is home to few; its rural isolation has kept its unique beauty and recreational opportunities intact.