Nestled deep within the Pennsylvania Wilds is a small-town gem.

Knox, Pennsylvania is a quaint little town with a rich history, good times, good food, and good people! While Knox, Pennsylvania is a quaint little town, it is alive with residents and businesses. There are countless local attractions, many for free, that residents or visitors of Knox can check out for fun with the family.

Knox is a borough in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,146 at the 2010 census. Population: 1,136 (2013). Area:363 acres.

Why Horsethief Capital of the World?

After the civil war ended in 1865 Clarion County became known as the Horsethief Capital of the World.

Why? The story has it that many war boys straight from the battlefields had  nowhere to call home. Much had been lost during the war and many families had moved. Being out of money, local communities were vulnerable to theft and were left unprotected by law enforcement. Not much was being done to protect rural areas and their property.

It was a time that was just perfect for horse thieving all across our great nation. Horses were a lucrative target – easy to steal, easy to sell and local Sebastian Boston “Boss” Buck knew it. This Clarion County boy had a particular talent for stealing horses.

Boss made a good living selling them off to dupes from New York to Kentucky.

The need arose for more local involvement to protect the horses and the Leatherwood Anti-Horsethief Association was formed. This proved to be successful and horsethieving slowed considerably. Boss’s gangs disbanded…some even went to jail.

Each August the borough of Knox, Pennsylvania in Clarion County, celebrates this unique heritage with a festival called Horsethief Days.

Annual Events

Other annual events in Knox are:

• Light-Up Night
• Once Upon a Christmas in Knox
• Horsethief Days
• Christmas in the Country