Fountain Of Youth.

Fountain of Youth

In 1938, a natural spring in rural North Park was sheltered within a rock grotto built by the WPA. The intent was to make it look classically Roman, but today it looks more like something out of The Lord of the Rings. The spring was capped with a pump handle set into a hillside, and over it was a stone disk inscribed, "Fountain of Youth."

Locals enjoyed this youth-giving water until May 11, 1955 -- when the pump handle was abruptly removed and the Spring was declared contaminated by "coliform organisms" (i.e. bodily fecal waste). No explanation was given for the source of this sudden corruption (the Spring's water had been declared pure only two years previously) and the fountain part of the Fountain of Youth has remained inaccessible to the public ever since.

The rock work around the Spring entrance was repaired in 2005, and the Fountain of Youth disk was remounted in 2009. Still no pump handle, though.

Also see: Water: Wonder Temples and Miracle Springs

Fountain of Youth

Address:: Kummer Rd, Allison Park, PA
Directions:: From US Hwy 19/Perry Hwy (not the US Hwy 19 bypass) turn east at the stoplight onto Ingomar Rd. Drive 1.5 miles. Turn left at the stoplight onto Kummer Rd. Drive three-quarters of a mile. The road will bend right, then left, then right again. You'll see a "Speed Limit 25" sign. Just after it is a very small gravel shoulder pull-off on the right (If you get to the golf course, you've driven too far). A path leads from it down an embankment, across a creek, and into the trees. The Fountain of Youth is there. Long pants are recommended (poison ivy).
Admission:: Free
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

Nearby Offbeat Places

Big L.L. Bean Boot, Pittsburgh, PA - 4 mi.

Grass Head, West View, PA - 5 mi.

Large Shark at Minigolf, Pittsburgh, PA - 6 mi.

In the region:

Johnny Angel's Ginchy Stuff and Museum, Pittsburgh, PA - 10 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in Pennsylvania

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Pennsylvania.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.