The "York County Wildcat Falls" Story

The Accomac Inn on the York County side of the Susquehanna River

It was an ordinary day.  Standing in front of the Accomac Inn on the banks of the Susque- hanna River in York County, Pennsyl- vania.  Carol and I have eaten at the majestic Inn a few times, but we made today's trip to attempt to locate one of York County's popular picnic venues from the past, the Wildcat Falls.  

One of the ferryboats that ran from Marietta to Wild Cat Falls.

Years ago people would arrive at the falls via ferry, crossing the river from the small town of Marietta which is in Lancaster County.  When they arrived on the York County side of the river they would cross over a nearby stream that fed into the river by way of a wooden bridge and use stairs and handrails as they made their way up the hillside which were parallel to the falls.  

Another of the ferryboats across the river.

Their destination was a small hotel with a large deck that overlooked the falls and the river.  At one time the Marietta Gravity Water Company would gather water from the hills near the falls, pipe it under the Susquehanna River for use by residents in Marietta.  

A young woman arrives by boat at the Wild Cat Falls. I'm
not sure if this is a real photograph or one staged by a backdrop.

The hotel burned in the 1920s and most never found their way back to the falls.  Today the area where the hotel used to be is in private hands, but people still stop and ask permission to visit the falls and take photographs.  There are a few books published which have information about the falls and hotel, but I was able to gather quite a few photos from the Internet.  

The Wild Cat Falls Hotel.  Check out the large group
standing along the railing of the hotel above the falls.

At one time it must have been a great day trip for those living in both Lancaster and York Counties.  Today the main reason to visit the York County side of the river is to eat at the Accomac Inn.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

People can be seen making their way to the hotel above the falls.

Another photograph showing a gathering on the porch of the hotel.

Visitors pose for a photograph with their luggage. 

Marietta can be seen in this photograph taken from the top of Wildcat Falls. 

One of many photographs I found showing the falls.

And... another one.

And...one final photograph of what I'm sure were beautiful falls.

The only color photograph I was able to find of the Wildcat Falls.  The hotel more than likely no longer existed when this photograph was taken.