North of Johnstown, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 15906

## Overview This public drinking spring is located along PA Highway 56 (also known as Haws Pike) in the hills north of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County. The spring features three pipes set into a concrete box built into the rock face alongside the road, providing a convenient roadside water source. Johnstown, historically known for its devastating floods and its deep roots in the American steel industry, sits in a valley surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains — a region rich in natural springs fed by the area's abundant rainfall and layered sedimentary geology. Visitors have long used roadside springs like this one as a source of fresh water, and this particular spring has been reported as a reliable flow point accessible directly from the highway. ## Directions 1. From Johnstown, head to the intersection of **PA Route 56** and **Hoffman Avenue** on the north side of the city. 2. Travel **north on PA Route 56** (labeled as **Haws Pike** on some mapping services, including MapQuest). 3. Continue approximately **1.5 miles north** of the Route 56 / Hoffman Avenue intersection. 4. Watch for the spring on the **roadside**, built into the rock face next to the highway. The concrete box with three protruding pipes is visible from the road. 5. The nearest address for GPS navigation is **865 Decker Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15906**. *Note: The spring is right along the highway, so parking may be limited to the road shoulder. Use caution when pulling over.* ## What to Expect The spring consists of three pipes emerging from a concrete enclosure set into the natural rock alongside PA Route 56. The setup suggests it was intentionally constructed to channel the spring water for public access — a common practice in Pennsylvania's mountain communities throughout the 20th century. The water flows from the surrounding Allegheny Mountain geology, which is characterized by sandstone and shale formations that naturally filter groundwater. Because the spring is located directly beside the highway, it is easy to access by car — no hiking required. Simply pull off to the shoulder near the concrete spring box. The area is rural and wooded, offering a brief but pleasant stop. Visitors have historically used this spring as a drinking water source, though water quality can vary with weather and seasonal conditions. If you plan to drink the water, consider bringing your own container to fill from the pipes. The spring is accessible year-round, though flow may vary seasonally. Winter visitors should be aware of potential icy conditions on the road shoulder and around the spring area.