About This Collection
The Commissioner of Forestry was the President and Executive Officer of the State Forest Commission, and had immediate control over all activities on or relating to the State Forests. The Commissioner was also in charge of the protection of all forest land in the State from forest fire, fungi, inspects, and other enemies; the State Forest Academy; as well as encouraging and promoting the development of forestry and of obtaining and publishing in information respecting the extent and condition of forest lands in the State. The collection contains biennial reports on the progress of work conducted by the Department of Forestry. Information provided is names of individuals from whom property was purchased together with county where tract was located and the acreage purchased; report of the Commissioner of Forestry, roster of foresters, roster of forest rangers, record of forest fires, private forest fire protective associations, new construction and repairs, legislation, legal affairs, financial statements, receipts, records of permanent camp leases, temporary camping permits, individual foresters’ reports, Forest Inspector’s Report, fixed charges on state lands, land grant applications, department leases, timber sales, rights of way, telephone contracts, nursery reports, and the value of forest products. The reports are liberally illustrated with photographs and charts. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection.
