{{Short description|State park in Pennsylvania, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Ole Bull State Park | image = Kettle Creek at Ole Bull State Park.JPG | image_caption = Kettle Creek flowing through Ole Bull State Park | image_alt = Kettle Creek | image_size = 280 | location = [[Potter County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|41.53712|-77.71544|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="obsp"/> | area = {{convert|132|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="obsp"/> | elevation = {{convert|1417|ft}} | established = 1925 | administrator = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | free_label = Named for | free_data = [[Ole Bull|Ole Borneman Bull]] | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{Infobox protected area | map = USA Pennsylvania#USA | label = Ole Bull State Park | label_position = top | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Ole Bull State Park''' is a {{convert|132|acre|adj=on}} [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] in [[Stewardson Township, Pennsylvania|Stewardson Township]], [[Potter County, Pennsylvania|Potter County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. The park is located on [[Pennsylvania Route 144]], {{convert|26|mi}} north of [[Renovo, Pennsylvania|Renovo]] and {{convert|18|mi}} south of [[Galeton, Pennsylvania|Galeton]]. Ole Bull State Park is in the [[Kettle Creek (Pennsylvania)|Kettle Creek]] Valley, and is surrounded by [[Susquehannock State Forest]]. The woods surrounding the park are called the Black Forest because of its once dense tree cover.
==History== ===New Norway=== [[Image:Ole Bull - Project Gutenberg eText 13955.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Ole Bull]] Ole Bull State Park is named for [[Ole Bull|Ole Borneman Bull]]. Ole Bull was a famous [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[violin]]ist. He visited the United States several times and played with great success. While visiting the United States, Bull became interested in founding a colony for his fellow countrymen. In 1852, he purchased {{convert|120000|acre}} of land for $10,000 in Pennsylvania and founded the colony, which was called New Norway. He established four communities, New Bergen (now known as Carter Camp), [[Oleona, Pennsylvania|Oleona]], New Norway, and Valhalla in the Kettle Creek area. Ole Bull began work on a "castle", which he named Nordenskjold. The castle and the communities were abandoned in less than a year. The problems encountered by the Norwegian pioneers were mainly based on the inexperience of the farmers in dealing with clearing the land of its many trees. Efforts to settle the area were parodied in the 1853 Norwegian folk song [[Oleanna (song)|Oleanna]], which was translated into English and popularized by Pete Seeger in 1955. The Norwegians, however, did not give up. They migrated west into [[Minnesota]] and the [[Dakotas]]. The settlement may have failed, but Ole Bull was not forgotten. The citizens of [[Norway]] paid for the construction of a monument to honor Ole Bull. The statue was placed in the park on the 150th anniversary of New Norway in 2002.<ref name="newnorway">{{cite web | url = http://www.norway.org/News/archive/2002/200204bull.htm | title = Remembering Ole Bull's dream | access-date = 2006-11-11 | publisher = Norway: The Official Site in the United States}}</ref>
===Lumber Era=== The [[Kettle Creek (Pennsylvania)|Kettle Creek]] area was part of the massive [[lumbering]] operation that occurred in most of north central Pennsylvania in the 1880s and 1890s. The lumbering industry harvested the old-growth [[eastern white pine|white pine]] and [[tsuga|hemlock]]. Two [[railroad]]s were built on the banks of Kettle Creek to haul the timber to [[sawmill]]s in the Cross Fork area. The [[old-growth forest]] was soon gone. The land was no longer useful to the lumber industry and it fell into disuse. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased much of the land and Ole Bull State Park was opened in 1925.<ref name="obsp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/ole-bull-state-park |title=Ole Bull State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2026-01-13}}</ref>
===Civilian Conservation Corps=== Many of the facilities at Ole Bull State Park were constructed during the [[Great Depression]] by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] founded by American President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]. The CCC created many jobs for the out of work industrial workers from throughout the United States. Ole Bull State Park is home to many examples of the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps throughout North Central Pennsylvania. They built [[outhouse]]s, [[pavilion]]s, and the camping areas. The CCC also built the original dam in the swimming area.<ref name="obsp"/>
==Recreation== ===Hunting and fishing=== Hunting is permitted on {{convert|25|acre}} of Ole Bull State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania State Game Commission. The common game species are [[ruffed grouse]], [[eastern gray squirrel|squirrels]], [[wild turkey|turkey]], [[white-tailed deer]], and [[American black bear|black bears]]. Many more acres of forested woodlands are available for hunting on the grounds of the adjacent [[Susquehannock State Forest]].<ref name="obsp"/>
The water quality of [[Kettle Creek (Pennsylvania)|Kettle Creek]] and [[Ole Bull Run]] is very good. The waters offer fishing for [[brook trout|brook]], [[rainbow trout|rainbow]] and [[brown trout]]. There is a special fishing area of children and people with disabilities near the dam on Kettle Creek. Fishing is prohibited between the wires at the dam basin and in the swimming area.<ref name="obsp"/>
===Swimming and camping=== [[File:Phot olebullcamp2.jpg|thumb|Camping at the park]] Swimming is permitted at the {{convert|150|ft|adj=on}} sandy beach on Kettle Creek during the months of May through mid-September. Swim at your own risk. Lifeguards are not provided. Pets are not permitted at the beach.<ref name="obsp"/><ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.pottercountypa.org/listings/index.cfm?catID=1&hit=1 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20060610091153/http://www.pottercountypa.org/listings/index.cfm?catID=1&hit=1 | url-status =usurped | archive-date =June 10, 2006 | title= Attractions | access-date = 2006-11-07 | publisher = Potter County Visitors Association }}</ref>
Camping is permitted year round at Ole Bull State Park. There are two camping areas on the banks of Kettle Creek. Some of the sites are sunny and some are shaded. There are 24 electric hookups at one campsite and 21 at the other. All campsites have a level gravel pad for setting up campers. They also feature a fire ring and a [[picnic table]]. Modern restrooms, water hydrants and a sanitary dump station are available at Ole Bull State Park.<ref name="obsp"/>
===Picnics and trails=== [[File:Olebullview.jpg|thumb|left|View from the overlook on the Castle Vista Trail]] The picnic area is on the bank of Kettle Creek across from the swimming area. There are four [[pavilion]]s, many picnic tables, a playground, fireplaces, a restroom and water hydrants. There is electricity at the Stone Pavilion. These pavilion must be reserved in order to have access to the electricity.<ref name="obsp"/>
Ole Bull State Park is a [[trailhead]] for the {{convert|85|mi}} [[Susquehannock Trail System]]. It also {{convert|2|mi}} of self-contained trails. The Daugherty Loop Trail uses old logging roads and a railroad grade to pass through the Black Forest of Pennsylvania. The Beaver Dam Nature Trail follows Kettle Creek for {{convert|0.75|mi|km|adj=on}}. The Ole Bull Trail leads to the remains of Ole Bull's "castle", Nordjenskald. This area is the site of a panoramic view of the park. In the winter months cross country skiing, snow shoes and snow mobiles are permitted.<ref name="obsp"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} {{portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/ole-bull-state-park Ole Bull State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources * {{cite web|url= http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003473.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235949/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ucmprd1/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_003473.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= March 3, 2016 |title=Ole Bull State Park official map }} {{small|(176.7 KB)}} *[https://wanderingwithgillian.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/ole-bull-monument-071010.jpg 2002 Ole Bull monument]
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1925]] [[Category:Civilian Conservation Corps in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Potter County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Campgrounds in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:1925 establishments in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Potter County, Pennsylvania]]