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.
“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 2021 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.
As we wrote in our blog “Crossing the Divide; The Challenge of Bridging Elk Creek,” the dedication of a new concrete bridge across Elk Creek was an auspicious occasion in early August 1926. On hand were over 100 dignitaries and local residents. One of those residents in attendance was George Howard, who had been asked…
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.