Technical Assistance Report, Milford Knob, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Bowman, Brenden

The Milford Knob is located on the Raymondskill Ridge in the Dingman Township of Pike's County, Pennsylvania. The landscape is owned by the National Park Service and is part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. In August 2020, the Region 1 Tribal and Cultural Affairs office reached out to the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation regarding the creation of a Technical Assistance Report that captures the history of Milford Knob, and the relationship that generations of Milford community members have had with the landscape. Beginning in 1930, members of the Milford Lions Club constructed a metal frame for an illuminated Star on the Knob and continued this annual tradition for over 80 years - without interruption when the property became federally owned. In 1965, the Tocks Island Dam project was planned to be constructed on the Delaware River. The land of Milford Knob was taken into federal ownership for this purpose in 1974, but the project was discontinued the following year. The Milford Knob property was then transferred to the National Park Service for the designation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Under National Park Service ownership, Milford community members continued to use the Knob for their yearly tradition of erecting an illuminated Star and Cross. In 2017, the members of the Milford Lions Club were told by park staff that they could no longer perform this tradition, and the structure was removed from park property. The decision to remove the Star and Cross was made based on an understanding of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment - which prohibits federal agencies (NPS) from encouraging or promoting religion (the Cross) in any way. However, the community members of Milford do not believe their monument violates the Clause. This technical report provides an overview of historic use of the Milford Knob by Milford residents for cultural and community purposes. In addition, this report provides brief contextual histories of the development of the Borough of Milford, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and activity on the Raymondskill Ridge.