Howard Falls

Falls Run cascades 50 feet over Howard Falls and heads toward its confluence with Elk Creek, two miles to the north.

As it cuts down through the Devonian shale below the falls, an ecologically important deep gorge is formed, designated the Falls Run Gorge Natural Heritage Area of PA.

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“On an insignificant stream in Franklin Township, close to the Howard Stone Quarry, the water of the stream drops over a rocky ledge of 50 feet into the bed of the stream below; making, when a goodly volume of water is present, a most beautiful waterfall” –
John Elmer Reed, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Vol 1, 1925

our story

Welcome to Howard Falls

The Howard Falls area of Franklin Township, Erie County, PA, has been home to the Howard family for over 180 years. Throughout those years, seven generations of the family have benefited from the use and enjoyment of this property.

April 2023 Update: Howard Falls is located on private property, with no safe, public route to the base of the Falls. The Falls can be viewed from the public road, Falls Road.

Check out our Blog – Journey to the Falls:

The Portage Escarpment

Background In our earlier Blog, “Formation of the Falls Run Gorge,” we discussed the potential dynamics of how the Gorge and Falls formed during the end of the Laurentide Ice Age over 12,000 years ago. Further review of literature on similar gorges in Ohio and New York allowed us to refine these dynamics further and…

by Howard Falls August 24, 2023August 24, 2023

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Falls Featured Artists

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Discover Our Conservation Efforts

The Howard Falls Trust was created in 1992 by the Howard family to conserve and maintain the Howard Falls region. The Trust has acquired significant property surrounding the Falls, and manages the general area with the long-term intent to preserve the rural character and limit development.

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