Nestled in the countryside of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Howard Falls holds a rich history that intertwines natural beauty, community, and conservation. One particularly remarkable chapter in its story began in the late 1930s, when the property briefly served as the site of the Erie County Sportsman’s League Game Farm.
Chapter One: How the Game Farm Began
Background
Advancements in public education, transportation, and utilities such as household electricity brought profound societal changes to communities across the nation in the early 1900s. The advent of the personal automobile and road improvements made daily travel between Howard Falls and adjacent towns like Girard, or to further destinations like Erie, not only possible, but increasingly convenient. Our blog “Crossing the Divide” documents some of these remarkable local transportation improvements.
Concurrently, as we documented in our blog “Ringing the Bell: The Lost One-Room Schools of Franklin Township“, children more frequently continued their education beyond what was available in the local one-room schools. Public high schools offering grades 9-12 began to be established in local towns such as Girard, McKean, and Edinboro.
Likewise, electrical service became available in these local towns, enabling households and small businesses to access the conveniences that electricity made possible. It would not be until the very late 1930s that electricity reached rural areas like Howard Falls, so residents from outlying farms were increasingly attracted to urban areas in the 1920s.
And so it is likely that these circumstances prompted Levi (1873-1974) and Mattie (1878-1966) Howard to move to Girard by the mid-1920s, where Levi established a meat market on Rice Avenue. He would later expand the business to a second store at the Erie Central Market by 1926, with his son, Leroy Howard (1904-1977), helping to manage the enterprise. Produce grown and raised at Howard Falls formed a significant portion of the offerings at the Howard Markets.
Moving their household to Girard made it easier for their younger children to continue their education beyond the 8th grade. While some of their older children had already continued past the 8th grade, this had required leaving home and boarding in Girard during the week. Thus, while the family resided in Girard, their youngest children completed their education at Girard High School: Lawrence (1911-1993) from 1926-1930 and Kenneth (1918-1975) from 1933-1937.
Ring Neck Pheasants
After the death of Levi’s father, George Tuttle Howard (1842-1927), his grandson Paul Howard (1898-1983) acquired the 20-acre plot that included Howard Falls in around 1930. As documented in our blog “Working Girl,” Paul established Howard’s Dinor at 11th and Peach in Erie, which he operated from 1931 to 1939. During this time, he made the acquaintance of many individuals in the Erie area and joined the Erie County Sportsman’s League.
We also documented the life of Albert Perry Howard (1866-1920) through our blog, “The Legacy of the Cottage at Howard Falls.” A true outdoorsman and devoted family man, Albert had a passion for hunting, fishing, and raising exotic game fowl, including the Aseel, an ancient breed from India. Growing up at Howard Falls, Paul would have experienced firsthand the propagation of game fowl, such as the Aseel, by his uncle Albert.
by McGrew, T. F. (Thomas Fletcher), 1850-1930
In the early 1900s, the Pennsylvania Game Commission set aside funds to purchase and propagate pheasants. Sportsmen’s organizations, such as those in Erie County, that sought to raise pheasants could obtain pheasant eggs from the state, raise the birds, and release them into the wild for sport hunting. While native to Asia, pheasants had been released into the wild in the Midwest US since the 1800s. In certain areas, like the northern Great Plains and eastward, pheasants thrived and were firmly established in the wild by the early 1900s. The pheasant had become very popular with many Americans, especially with hunters who enjoy a tasty and challenging game bird.
The Game Farm is Planned
The Erie County Sportsmen’s League has been part of Erie County’s outdoor and conservation culture for more than a century, with documented references in the Erie Times News Archive dating back to at least 1924. As a gathering place for hunters, anglers, and outdoorsmen at a time when conservation and land stewardship were becoming public concerns, the League was more than just a social club. Meetings and public sessions brought together state officials, leading experts in wildlife and land conservation, and community members to discuss game management, habitat improvement, and the future of hunting and fishing in Erie County. Those conversations helped shape ambitious, countywide efforts to improve outdoor conditions and reflected a moment when local knowledge and emerging conservation science were closely intertwined. One such article mentions their “six major points to the league’s program to be executed in the coming year:
- A trout stocking program.
- Establishment of a ring-neck pheasant season.
- Expansion of game preserve facilities.
- Building of a natural fish hatchery on the Peninsula.
- Eradication of stagnation and pollution in the bay waters.
- Restoration of natural cover and improvement of wildlife conditions in designated sections of the county.
These priorities soon moved into action, setting the stage for the League’s mid-1930s efforts to identify new game lands across Erie County and to establish a working game farm at Howard Falls. An Erie Daily Times article from June 9, 1937, titled “Seek to List Game Lands, Build Farm As Aid to Hunters” notes members of the Erie County Sportman’s League met at Pulakos-on-the-Lake with then president Dr. J. J. Koehler (1898-1948) to:
“…lend a helping hand in two different things destined eventually to make for better hunting in Erie county.
First of these was that they make known all parcels of land available in the county that may be purchased by the State Game Commission to be turned into public hunting property in some instances and into game preserves in others.
Second was that as many sportsmen as possible, interested in the League’s newly established game farm at Howard’s Falls, on Route 98, south of Fairview, report at the game farm, Saturday and Sunday with hammer and saw and shovel to assist in the work of building coops and shelters.”
A few months later, the Sportsman’s League was set to hold their annual Field Day on September 19, 1937. An Erie Daily Times article from August 17, 1937, titled “League Field Day Slated on Sept. 19” notes circulars were mailed out by the league secretary, Paul Howard, announcing it would take place at the Chase farm on Waterford road, and proceeds would be used:
“by the League for the benefit of the League’s game farm at Howard’s Falls, and for game restocking, feeding, and shelter building throughout Erie County.
Last year the League realized a profit of more than $1,000 from their Field Day program and the entire amount was spent by the League’s officers and directors in stocking the county with wildlife to be hunted during the coming seasons, and in the building of the game farm at Howard’s Falls for breeding purposes.
The League arranged a big prize list for the annual Field Day program which includes a 1937 Pontiac Sedan, an outboard motor, Trojan washer, movie camera, shotgun, rifle, automobile radio, hunting suit, hunting coat, a mix master and hunting boots.
As an incentive to sportsmen to sell tickets to the annual event the League is offering a free membership for 1938 to each person who disposes of $5 worth of tickets. There also will be awards offered those sportsmen who dispose of the most books of tickets.”
In May of 1938, the Sportsmen would screen films at the Warner Theater, located at 811 State St in Erie, PA, to raise funds for the game farm. The Erie Daily Times article “Sportsmen Screen Picture Tonight” on May 20th writes:
“Assured of finer pictures, than ever before and expecting a crowd that will outnumber that of last year, the annual Erie County Sportsman’s League theater party is schedule for tonight at 11 o’clock at the Warner Theater.
One full length feature film titled “Killers of the Sea” plus four other shorts on outdoor sports, among these the Grantland Rice feature “Four Smart Dogs,” will be shown on the silver screen. Other pictures include Grey Owl’s Little Brother, Tuna, and Roping Them Alive.
The Sportsman’s show will get under way immediately following the regular show at the Warner. Proceeds of the show will go toward the continued building of the League’s game farm at Howard’s Falls where much already has been done toward the future for game in Erie County.”
Killers of the Sea: A 1937 film about Captain Wallace Caswell Jr., the Panama City, Florida Chief of Police, who does all in his power to protect game fish from illegal fishing and harmful, natural predators such as sharks, octopi, and whales.
Four Smart Dogs: This ten-minute short from the Grantland Rice Sportlight 1937–1938 season highlights the intelligence and usefulness of working dogs. A wire-haired terrier assists its fisherman owner, a bird dog demonstrates skill in the field, and a police dog helps protect life and property. The film concludes with a shepherd dog expertly rounding up three stray sheep and returning them safely to the fold.
The series was hosted and narrated by Grantland Rice (1880-1954), an American sportswriter, columnist, and poet from Tennessee known as the “Dean of American Sports Writers.” He published three books of poetry and coined the famous phrase that it was not important whether you “won or lost, but how you played the game.
Grey Owl’s Little Brother: A 1932 short film depicting the friendship between Canadian backwoodsman Grey Owl and a beaver. After launching his canoe and calling the animal to him, the story flashes back to how their bond began: Grey Owl rescues an orphaned beaver, raises it briefly in his camp, and observes its habits as it grows. Refusing to domesticate it, he ultimately releases the beaver once it finds a mate.
On July 17, 1938, the “Sportsmen Plan Farm Dedication,” the Erie Daily Times writes:
“Members of the Erie County Sportsman’s League will celebrate the dedication of the new game farm, located at Howard Falls, 5 miles from Fairview on Route 98 Sunday July 17, it was announced today by Dr. John J. Koehler, president.
Special transportation for members who have no cars will be given by Erie Coach Company. A charge of 50 cents for the round trip will be made.
Among the added attractions for the celebration will be an exhibition of fancy shooting by experts, bait and fly casting, archery, music, ox-roast, bingo and refreshments. Sufficient traps for all members will be furnished for the trap shooting contest.
In order to raise a special fund for emergency feeding for the 3,500 birds now in stock on the farm, a raffle will be held at the picnic.”
A follow-up article, “Sportsmen to Dedicate Modern Pheasant Paradise,” followed two days later on July 9, complete with photos of the Pheasants and the brooders they were raised in:
“Shown above are some of the 3,500 pheasants being raised at the Erie County Sportsman’s League game farm at Howard’s Falls, south of Fairview, which will be released in the county in September to become the prey of the county’s bird hunters when the season opens. Below the photo of the birds is shown a section of the latest type of brooders being used in the bird raising program at the game farm. The pictures tell the story of one of the finest pieces of work being done by any organized group of sportsmen in the state today (Frank Schauble photos.)”
The article continues:
“Brooders being used at the game farm of the Erie County Sportsman’s League, located at Howard Falls, five miles south of Fairview on Route 98, and which are to produce for Erie hunters a plentitude of wild life in the fall, are rated by experienced hatchery men as the most ideal for the purpose. Unlike other types of brooders tried out, these modern bird houses are thoroughly air-conditioned. A continuous change of air permits a dry, healthful condition, as no condensation gathers inside the brooder.
Faster feathering of the young chicks than is found at many of the state owned farms is made possible by the ideal conditions set up within the brooders.
A propane gas system supplies the heart for each brooder. Besides being accurately controlled and non-poisonous, this heat is thoroughly reliable as no storms can interrupt the service.
There are 10 of this type of brooder used at the present time, all of which will be viewed by members of the Erie County Sportsman’s League when they gather at the game farm a week from Sunday for their annual summer picnic and game farm dedication. Each one of the brooders houses 250 chicks of various sizes. There are also nine other brooder houses in use.
The new game farm, considered the finest game farm in the state outside of the state-owned farms is credit to the work of Dr. John J Koehler, the untiring president of the League and his corps of officers and directors.
Over 3,000 pheasants will be released from the game farm into Erie County this season through the efforts of the Erie County Sportsman’s League and its members. In addition, 2,000 to 3,000 birds will be released by individual members of the club from eggs given to members for hatching.
While this is a substantial increase over previous years, it is just the beginning of an extensive program to build up sportsmen hunting for every type of hunter.”
Chapter Two of the blog will delve into the events held at the Erie County Sportsman’s League Game Farm at Howard Falls over several years.
See below for images of the full newspaper articles mentioned in this blog.
