Pennsylvania Turnpike


Turnpike history Page 3


Howard Johnsons Menu from 1940
This is from a full service Service Plaza.Most Howard Johnsons only served sandwiches and snacks in the 1940s


The Laurel Hill Service Plaza Operated 1/4 mile east of the Laurel Hill Tunnel at mile # 100.2 from 1940 to 1954 as a limited Sandwich and Snack Shop. It served east bound traffic and had a small service station.


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Allegheny Mountain Tunnel in 1962

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Tusarora Tunnel pictured at nite in 1940
Driving through the turnpike tunnels at nite still gives you that 1940 feeling.
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The "s" bend east of Fort Littleton in 1960
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The famous " Twin Tunnels " in 1959
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The Brand New ! bridge near Burnt Cabins,Pa. pictured above is an origional photo from September 1940, before the turnpike opened. Notice the brand new roadway with NO center barrier and NO traffic beacause the turnpike was not open yet.


Several turnpike photos and information thanks to Mitch Dakelman,Wagner College
E-Mail ;
I have tried to obtain  printed material regarding the Turnpike but have been somewhat limited in what is available. I  have copies of booklets called "Vanderbilt's Folly" by William Shank, and " A Turnpike History" by Dan Cupper. I have found a book listed on the Cuyahoga County Library computer system called "Guidebook To The Geology of PA Turnpike" by Arthur Cleaves. I have not had the opportunity to see this book yet, but, it sounds very interesting.
In conclusion, let me say that I, and my family are very interested the history of travel. We have visited many railroad museums, and hiked many canal towpaths during our vacations. During many of our trips we have travelled on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, therefore, I would be greatful for any and all information that you would care to send, or guide me to. Once again, thank you for getting back to me. Yours Truly, Walter Schilling ============================================================================
Pennsylvania

Sideling Hill Tunnel pictured in 1960. This tunnel,along with the Rays Hill tunnel,operated from 1940 thru most of 1968


E-Mail I live in Grove City, PA, and while I don't get many opportunities to ride on the turnpike (maybe once a year on the entire "original" road, if I'm lucky), I did take my son, Ben, to see all the abandoned tunnels a couple of years ago.  I can barely remember trips to Harrisburg in the late 50's and early sixties to visit my grandparents, and a trip on the turnpike was always a special event since there were only a handful of limited access "super-highways" in the country then, and none with tunnels like the turnpike. I appreciate your posting of the east portal of the old Sideling Hill tunnel and I am presently using a "reversed" copy of it as my screen background. 


The Laurel Hill Service Plaza Operated 1/4 mile east of the Laurel Hill Tunnel at mile # 100.2 from 1940 to 1954 as a limited Sandwich and Snack Shop. It served east bound traffic and had a small service station.


( E-Mail )I recently visited the site of the old Cove Valley Service Plaza on the abandoned turnpike east of Breezewood. The parking lot is still there (it's being used as a State Police shooting range), but only small trees and shrubs remain where the building was. Can you tell me when it was torn down? Also, do you know if any pictures of it exist when it was in service or after it was abandoned? Thanks for the interesting website! Guy . The origional service plaza was torn down after the roadway was bypassed and rebuilt to the north of the new tunnel bypass.It now serves both east and westbound turnpike traffic.
Aerial View of The Laurel Hill Tunnel in Westmoreland County.Located at mile#100
The middle of the tunnel is the dviding Line between Westmoreland and Somerset County.
Also the "Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail" follows the county line.
At mile#100+You can see the Hiking Bridge the commision built for the Hikers.

Pa. Turnpike - Tunnels near Breeze Wood were used for emission testing by Mobil Corp. in the early seventies. Fuel was blended (the new no-lead) and transported to Breeze Wood ,where test were carried out in the tunnels,so emmissions could be measured.

( E-Mail ) Joe, I just ran across your Pennsylvania Turnpike web page. That sure brought back memories. I grew up in Irwin (graduated from Norwin High in 1967). I've lived in California since 1970 and haven't visited Pennsylvania since 1985. Your web page certainly made me homesick. I certainly traveled my share on the Turnpike... I still claim that there is no more beautifull strech of highway than the PA Turnpike through the Alleghney Mountains. That includes US 80 through the Sierra Mountains. I guess I'm still a Pennsylvania boy at heart.
I just heard a comedian Do a Pennsylvania Turnpike Joke.

Those old speeding signs on the pike, that post what your fine will be for every 10 miles an hour,were funny. everyone will speed up so they dont look poor."Im rich enough to afford that".

Imagine A "History of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Museum". It could be located at the Western Portal of the Rays Hill Tunnel. It is the spot where Andrew Carnegie posed for a picture of him and the tunnel workers. The tunnel is located about 3 miles from Breezewood .Access is easy where Rt. 30 crosses the old road bed. The commision could also "Restore the road to 1940 style" complete with all the signs,toolbooth,guard rail,concrete road,etc.Then they could have a movie room to show pictures and video of the old road .

"This page complements of Joseph W. Topinka
4th and Webster Sts. Irwin,Pa 15642
phone 724-863-8006 fax 724-863-8085
If you have any information on the History of Transportation In Pennsylvania
Send me an e-Mail
at jtejoe@aol.com
and i will Post your message
I am interested in the "hidden treasures" of railroad transportation
and I Mountain Bike any New Trail that i Find."
Thanks for driving in...........to the virtual turnpike history page .........................
Pennsylvania

Rigid frame overpass at Harrisburg


Did you know ?

The cencus bureau will spend 2.8 billion dollars to find out how many people live in the U.S. and where,do you know what the top reasons are for this time and expense?
To build;
#1 Bridges
#2 Tunnels
#3 Schools
#4 V.A. Hospitals

View the Origional 1940 Pennsylvania Turnpike Map Here (Eastern Section)

View the Origional 1940 Pennsylvania Turnpike Map Here (Western Section)




Pennsylvania Turnpike

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