Sunken Garden

Looking across the Susquehanna River and the appealing Riverwalk, it's had to imagine that this was once the site of the logging industry. Throughout the 19th century, lumbering was a major industry. Logs were floated downriver to sawmills in Harrisburg.

The stretch of river from Calder to Herr streets was the center of activity. Called Hardscrabble, the neighborhood was rough-and-tumble with bars, liveries, cheap lodging and businesses catering to river traffic. As the logging industry declined, complaints about conditions and activities in Hardscrabble increased.

The Harrisburg League of Municipal Improvements – one of the first civic improvement organizations in the country – developed plans to convert Hardscrabble into part of Riverside Park The basements of some of the demolished buildings were retained to create the unique plan of the sunken garden. The formal, symmetrical design is reminiscent of gardens in elegant, historic estates, a far cry from the garden's roots in Hardscrabble.

This ends our walking tour of Harrisburg. From here you have several choices. If you continue along the Riverwalk for about 20 minutes, you'll be at the footbridge that crosses the Susquehanna River to City Island Park. It's home to the Harrisburg minor league baseball team, picnic area, miniature golf course, train rides, paddle boats and food vendors.

Another option is to continue along the Riverwalk to State Street and the Capitol. Harrisburg's Restaurant Row is along 2nd Street. The mixed-use Strawberry Square is a few blocks east of the Capitol on 3rd Street, with shopping, dining and lodging.

I hope you enjoyed learning about the history and people of this dynamic city. Enjoy your visit! See www.insightguides.com for more details.