<div>On December 1, 1913, the World's First Drive-In Gas Station opened on "Automobile Row" at the intersection of Baum Boulevard and St. Clair Street in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. &nbsp; Filling a car with gasoline was very different 100 years ago. A driver had to hop off the seat, the gas tank was underneath - it needed gravity's help to reach the carburetor because the fuel pump wouldn't be invented for another 15 years. Check the fuel level with a dipstick, since there was no fuel gauge. And someone needed to start cranking the gas because it wasn't going to pump itself. </div><div>Only 30 gallons of gasoline, costing 27 cents a gallon, were sold on opening day, Dec 1, 1913. The station also provided free crankcase service, air, water, tires &amp; tubes. This impressed the early drivers of the $400 Model T that sales jumped to over 350 gallons several days after the opening.</div>

Photo of the world's first drive-in gas station, Baum Blvd. and St. Clair St., Pittsburgh, PA. Photo courtesy The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh.

Historical marker along Pittsburgh's Baum Blvd.

Another vintage photo of the first drive-in gas station.

Cited Facebook post, The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh.

More Info

Culture IFY site devoted to the first drive-in filling station and the ones that followed.

Other

Explore PA site with info on and pics of the filling station.

On December 1, 1913, the World's First Drive-In Gas Station opened on "Automobile Row" at the intersection of Baum Boulevard and St. Clair Street in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Site of World's First Drive-In Gas Station Historic Marker

Scenic driving tour along the historic Lincoln Highway through western Pennsylvania

US-30 Lincoln Highway Long-Cut (Chambersburg, PA to East Liverpool, OH)

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Born on May 9, 1800, in Torrington, Connecticut, John Brown was a passionate and ardent civil rights activist and abolitionist.&nbsp; He worked with the Underground Railroad and the League of Gileadites.&nbsp; He believed in using&nbsp;any means necessary, including violence, to end slavery.&nbsp; He led a raid on the federal armory at Harper's Ferry, VA (now WV) hoping that his actions would incite slaves to rebellion and action.&nbsp; His endeavor was unsuccessful, he went to trial, and was executed on December 2, 1859.Brown was heavily influenced by his father, a Calvinist who believed abhorred the concept of slavery.&nbsp; When Brown was a young boy, he witnessed a slave boy being beaten, and the experience shaped him into the abolitionist he became.He was twice married and had many children from both relationships.&nbsp; The families experienced financial difficulties and moved from place to place often.&nbsp; Brown was instrumental in his assistance with the Underground Railroad and gave land to free African-Americans.&nbsp; This led Brown to establish the League of Gileadites, whose goal was to protect Black citizens.Brown eventually met and befriended Frederick Douglass in 1847, and in 1849 moved to North Elba, New York which was a Black community.&nbsp; In 1855, Brown and five of his sons had moved to Kansas.&nbsp; Because of his belief in using violence as a means to end slavery, he and several of his men killed five pro-slavery settlers.Brown and his sons fled back east where the family patriarch&nbsp;devised a new plan- form a free and well-armed Black community in the mountains of Maryland and Virginia. &nbsp;In support of this vision, Brown began planning the attack on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry to secure the quantity of weapons that would be required to put his plan in motion.&nbsp; During the summer of 1859, Brown (under the alias of Isaac Smith) stayed at the Mary Ritner Boarding House in Chambersburg, PA.During that summer, Brown was in and out of the house.&nbsp; His supporters stayed to receive shipments of arms labeled as mining tools delivered by the railroad.&nbsp; These weapons were stored in the Oaks and Cauffman Warehouse on nearby North Main Street until they could be transported to the Kennedy Farm near Harper's Ferry.On August 16, Brown met with Frederick Douglass in Chambersburg.&nbsp; Douglass was there under the guise of delivering a speech, and Brown was dressed as a fisherman to disguise his identity.&nbsp; Once Brown relayed his planned attack on Harper's Ferry to Douglass and attempted to persuade him to join the fray, Douglass refused.Brown left the Ritner Boarding House on October 9, 1859&nbsp;and moved on to Harper's Ferry, from whence he would never return.&nbsp;This building was miraculously&nbsp;spared&nbsp;in the Burning Of Chambersburg and served a variety of purposes over the years.&nbsp;In 1971, Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission acquired the property and opened this museum.&nbsp;

Mary Ritner's Boarding House is best known for its role as the temporary headquarters of John Brown, the radical abolitionist who launched a raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry as part of a plan to arm and free the slaves of Virginia. Brown's intention was to create a well-armed community and force in the mountains that could defend itself and launch raids on slave plantations throughout the region. If successful, Brown hoped that slaves would rise up and join his community in ways that would lead to the end of slavery in America. 

Brown stayed at the Ritner Boarding House from June to October in 1859. From this location, Brown and his supporters planned the raid, received supplies, and prepared for their ill-fated mission. The historic boarding house is now a small museum operated by the Franklin County Historical Society.

Ritner Boarding House-John Brown

On the morning of July 30, 1864, under the orders of General Jubal Early, General John "Tiger" McCausland seized Chambersburg and demanded $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in US currency. According to Confederate leaders, this attack was retribution for the burning of rebel property by the United States Army in Virginia.The Federal commander General Hunter, under orders from General Grant, was instructed to destroy provisions in the Valley of Virginia. He was also instructed not to destroy private homes. General Hunter ignored this caveat and destroyed many private dwellings, including those that were inhabited by women with children. Hundreds of families lost their homes, livestock, fields and personal possessions in an era when few families had insurance.&nbsp;General Early, in his autobiography, wrote that he "came to the conclusion it was time to open the eyes of the people of the North to this enormity, by an example in the way of retaliation."&nbsp; Early chose McCausland for this task, as his brigade of cavalry was comprised primarily of soldiers hailing from southwestern Virginia. Many of these men and their families were directly affected by Hunter's vicious attacks in Virginia, and they wanted revenge.The goal of the campaign was to raise funds, enact suffering upon southern Pennsylvania, and take control of the Cumberland Valley Railroad. If successful, Confederate leaders believed that these raids would and divert Union troops from the attacks on Confederate positions in eastern Virginia.&nbsp;Historians still debate whether the citizens of Chambersburg considered paying the ransom. Many may have hoped for deliverance from their occupiers as a large army under the command of General Averell. The army was a short distance away in Greencastle, and the citizens might have stalled the Confederate army by offering a partial payment. Whatever the reason, city leaders refused to pay the ransom or promise to raise the funds. Prior to executing their orders, Confederate troops made sure that every resident was given the opportunity to exit a building or home prior to setting it aflame. A total of five hundred buildings were destroyed by Confederate forces, with only churches and a Masonic temple being spared.&nbsp;

Several historical markers and plaques near the Franklin County Courthouse relate the tragic fate of Chambersburg, which was destroyed by Confederate raiders on July 30, 1864. Cavalry under the command of General John McCausland occupied the city and demanded the payment of a ransom, threatening to destroy the city in retribution for the destruction of Virginia homes, families, and food stores should his army not be provided with a large ransom payment. While pro-Confederate raiders also destroyed Lawrence, Kansas, the destruction of Chambersburg was unique in that it was conducted by an official army of the Confederacy. 

The Burning of Chambersburg Historical Marker

Today, the Capitol
Theatre is situated in the middle of downtown Chambersburg, PA. The Capitol
Theatre was founded by the Pottstown Theatre Company on February 3, 1927 as a movie house and performing arts
theater for the local community.1 It opened in
grand fashion, with a showing of the comedy film “The Waning Sex” and an organ
recital by local organist Wilfred Binder.2 During the mid-20th
century, the Capitol Theatre showed famous movies starring John Weissmuller as
Tarzan and Roy Rogers as a star cowboy.3 Eventually though,
time took its toll over the theater, and it needed to undergo serious
renovations. Hence, starting in 1996, the Capitol Theatre underwent a
seven-year reconstruction project to improve and to expand the original
structure of the building.4 On June 6, 2003, the theater was
completely restored, and it was expanded with the new Wood Center Stage Theatre
(a multi-purpose room for theatrical events) to complement the historic stage.5The current mission
statement of the Capitol Theatre is to enrich the cultural environment of
Chambersburg and provide a service for a broad constituency of patrons, which
includes tourists.6 To provide a great service,
the Capitol Theatre is designed in an Italian Renaissance style by Gibelli. The
curtains for the stage are made with rich and luxurious fabrics, and
the theater's railings are made of elegant mahogany wood.7
Beautiful crystal light fixtures and a shiny chandelier hang from the intricately pattern ceiling of the theater.8 Also, there are blush and green
panels of faux marbling displayed in the theater, and gilded ornaments run along
the theater's walls.9 So, one can see that this theater is a
big testament to people’s admiration for the beautiful cultural traditions of Chambersburg. The
Capitol Theatre is related to the general history of Chambersburg, PA. The town
of Chambersburg was founded in 1732 by Benjamin Chambers, an Irish immigrant.
He helped create the Diamond Park as a central place of the community, where people
can meet with one another and perform the local business of the day.10 However, the town of Chambersburg was burned down in
1864 when the townspeople refused to pay a $100,000 gold ransom to the
Confederates.11 The fire destroyed 550 buildings, including
homes, and so it left over 2,000 people homeless.12 The destroyed buildings also included 266 businesses that were valued at
$783,950.13 As a result, the townspeople had to rebuild their
city from scratch. They did not have enough time to create places of
entertainment, such as the Capitol Theatre. Instead, the people of Chambersburg
needed to focus on rebuilding the essentials for life, such as homes and grocery
stores. After all the essentials were rebuilt, employees of Cumberland Valley
Railroad worked hard to create trains so that everyone can travel more
efficiently and faster to get to places, such as the Capitol Theatre.14 Thus, the Capitol Theatre was built due to the
cultural atmosphere of the time in Chambersburg. The theater provided people a
relaxing break from work and a way to forget the harsh reality of life. The Capitol
Theatre satisfied the recreational interests of the townspeople, who had no
other major forms of entertainment to enjoy at the time. The
Capitol Theatre is very significant to the Pennsylvania portion of the Lincoln
Highway. The Lincoln Highway in Pennsylvania was created to make traveling easier
and more efficient, which helped bring more visitors to the local towns of PA
(e.g., Chambersburg). As a result, the highway helped facilitate a vibrant
cultural atmosphere in Pennsylvania where visitors learned about the history of
the region and embarked on fun tourist adventures. In addition, the Lincoln
Highway aided the growth of many businesses, such as Keefer’s Restaurant and the
White Cottage Inn, because many visitors wanted to buy souvenirs or needed a
place to eat and stay during their vacations. Keefer’s Restaurant served
tourists delicious steak, chicken, soup, and waffles, and it had gas pumps as
well as a garage so that tourists could get car service.15
Similarly, the White Cottage Inn had several cabins where tourists could sleep
overnight.16 So, the Capitol Theatre was built on the Lincoln
Highway to cater tourists who were visiting the landmarks along the highway.
The Capitol Theatre’s films and shows provided many happy and life-long
memories for the tourists, such as a first date.17 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Capitol Theatre is related to
the history of theater in the United States during the 20th century.
The European styles of theater gave much inspiration to the designs of American
theaters. Joseph Urban, a Viennese production designer, was hired to create
scenic and simple murals for the Boston Opera Company.18 Also,
Robert Jones designed a stage that expressed the sentiments of European home
life for a drama play called The Man Who
Married a Dumb Wife.19 Furthermore, drama programs were
introduced into many U.S. colleges, which greatly influenced the creation of American
theaters. Professor George Baker taught playwriting at Radcliffe College, and
Professor Thomas Stevens established the first theater degree program in the
U.S. at the Carnegie Institute.20 Thus, the Capitol Theatre was
established due to the large European influence on the American theater. The
people in Chambersburg wanted to partake in the same cultural events as
everyone else in America was experiencing at the time. The Capitol Theatre showed
that there were many people who wanted to watch the art of theater as well as
act in theater plays.The
Capitol Theatre is still historically significant today, and it matters to
locals and visitors who attend the theater’s shows and performances. The
theater reminds people what the entertainment industry in America was like
during the 20th century, where people used to pay only 25 cents for
a movie ticket and only 10 cents for a bag of popcorn.21
Similarly, the theater reminds visitors that people in the 20th
century only watched films on movie projectors and not on smart phones or flat
screen TVs.22 In addition, the Capitol Theatre makes people feel
nostalgic because they seem to be transported back in time when seeing the 1930s
colors of pink, dark green, and maroon.23 Moreover, the Capitol
Theatre is an important cultural site for everyone because all people,
especially children, can experience for the first time classic musical plays,
such as “The Four Freshmen” and “The Best of Broadway."24 Also, at
this theater, people want to see talented performers, such as the Chambersburg
Ballet Theatre School, act out classical renditions of entertainment, such as “Sleeping
Beauty” and “The Nutcracker."25 Finally, everyone realizes that
the Capitol Theatre has a big impact on society because the theater is seen as
a local and rare gem, which has unique European designs that are not found in
many other American places.26 In conclusion, the Capitol Theatre
is an entertainment center that provides all visitors an opportunity to learn
and experience the rich cultural traditions of a small and quaint town.

 Founded in 1927 by the Pottstown Theatre Company, the Capitol Theatre is a historic and quaint entertainment center in downtown Chambersburg, PA. Designed in the ornate style of the Italian Renaissance, the theater was built to give Americans a fun venue to spend their leisure time and to forget the worries of the day. Currently, the theater offers visitors a variety of classical movies and performing art shows from the twentieth century. This place gives members of the local community an opportunity to create happy and life-long memories with their families and friends. The Capitol Theatre is the only old-fashioned theater of the twentieth century that still exists in Chambersburg today.

The Capitol Theatre, Chambersburg

In the winter of 1756, during the French and Indian War, Fort Loudoun was erected by Col. John Armstrong at the order of the province of Pennsylvania. The fort was built for the protection of the frontiers against the French and Indians, and took the place of the fort at McDowell's Mill, which was situated at Bridgeport a short distance northward.  The French and Indian raiding party that abducted Mary Jemison's group mandated they stop in the swamps a relatively short distance north of here to spend their first night in the wilderness. In Mary's account the fort is referred to as Fort Canagojigge by her father. Tragically, all but two of the abductees (Mary and a young boy) were murdered, scalped, and their bodies hidden in the swamps before they left this area. Although they were not a great distance from the fort, escape was impossible due to the heavy forest, muddy swamp, and the skill of the Indians at quickly tracking and dispatching any escapees. However, Fort Loudoun did play an important role in protecting other frontier settlers during the French and Indian War. It was also a staging area for logistics being marshaled in preparation for military offenses in the west toward Fort Ligonier and Fort Duquesne. During the expedition of Gen. John Forbes, in 1758, and that of Col. Henry Bouquet, in 1763-4, this fort was used as a rendezvous for troops and as a base of supplies. Fort Loudoun was built as one part of a network of protective enclaves throughout the frontier to provide safe havens for settlers in danger. The broad dispersion of these forts, combined with the thickness of the woods and rough terrain, significantly hampered their effectiveness in offering substantial protection for the settlers. As with Mary's group, the swiftness of the raids and the settlers' inability to quickly take flight, exposed serious flaws in the defensive system at the time.

This is a reconstruction of historic Fort Loudoun.  The original fort was built in 1756 during the French and Indian War to protect settlers and to stage troops and supplies for the western campaign.  A tragic event occurred a short distance from here, as referenced in the book, "A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison." 

Fort Loudoun - Pennsylvania State Historic Site

The original Fulton House structure was built in 1793 of native limestone, with an addition added in 1820. Almost all of the interior woodwork is original to the house. Several porches have covered the façade over the years. The current frame landing with two flights of steps is a restoration of the original arrangement. McConnellsburg was an important stop on the main east-west road—first on the Chambersburg-Bedford Turnpike, and later on the Lincoln Highway. The town itself town was established in 1786 by Daniel McConnell. By 1800 the town had approximately 50 houses and 4 taverns. The Fulton House, one of the oldest surviving inns in the area, is an excellent example of the inns which lined the early wagon roads and turnpikes. The interior of the 1793 section are mostly original. Some of its guests include John and Abigail Adams, William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, James Buchannan, and Eleanor Roosevelt.The building has been restored starting in the 1970s by the Borough of McConnellsburg and the Fulton County Historical Society. Currently the Fulton County Historical Society uses the rooms on the east side of the Fulton House as museum and display rooms to show furnishings, tools, utensils, and decorative items relating to the history and heritage of Fulton County from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Rooms are open during special events and by appointment. A museum exhibit is planned for the Fulton Fall Folk Festival, the third weekend each October.

The Fulton House is a stone tavern built c. 1793 and located on Lincoln Way East in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania. Originally known as the Union Hotel, the inn has boarded four governers and four presidents, and has been an important stop for travelers along the road it sits (first the Pennsylvania Road, and then the Lincoln Highway)A fire in 1944 destroyed much of the 18th centiry interior, but has been restored to much of its original condition. It also currently houses the offices of the Fulton County Historical Society.

Fulton House

The Espy House, named after its former owner, David Epsy is a historic building in downtown Bedford, Pennsylvania constructed in 1770. Today it is candy and gift shop. The building is significant in that President George Washington stayed here one night in October, 1794. He led a militia of 12,000 men to quell what was a serious threat to the federal government's authority: the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. The government passed excise tax laws that favored bigger farmers over smaller ones, who, not having access to currency, boiled wheat grains down to whiskey and used the liquor as a form of money. The law meant that they would have to pay the tax with their whiskey. Washington stayed at the house because it was the nicest one in Bedford. He was the only president to lead a military force into an armed conflict. The decision to quell the rebellion gave the federal government legitimacy in that it could enforce, by military means if necessary, laws it passed. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1983.

Espy House

Taking
a trip along the Lincoln Highway, the first road to cross the nation, was so
much more than a drive. Traveling on the highway was about the whole experience.
While the Lincoln Highway, established in 1913, has undergone several
improvements and changes over the years, some businesses, such as the Lincoln
Motor Court, aim to preserve the community-oriented experience of life along
the highway.1

The
Lincoln Highway quickly grew in popularity. By the 1920s, travel by automobile was becoming very popular, causing
the roadside landscape to change.2 During the 1930s the road had to
be widened and straightened out to accommodate the growing number of travelers.3 The expansion of the
roadway resulted in an increase in the number of businesses along the road,
especially at the top of large hills. A steep climb could result in the
overheating of older cars, meaning that they would need a chance to cool down.
While they waited, the travelers would make use of the new business’ services.4

There
were many popular attractions in and around Bedford, Pennsylvania, such as the
Coffee Pot5, established
in 1927, and the Shawnee State Park, that attracted many travelers.6 The expansion of the
Shawnee Lake, in particular drastically increased the number of tourists. With
the growth of the town, visitors would often want to come and spend the night,
to rest from their travels, and make time to see many of these well-known
attractions. Before the advent of motor courts and cabins, people would stop
along the road and camp near their cars. People tended to camp in clusters, which
was the beginning of cottages, motels, and motor courts. Many people started to
establish their own cottage court businesses because they were simple to make
and relatively easy to manage.7&nbsp;Between 1930 and 1939 the total number of tourist cabin businesses
drastically increased.8 <div><div>

</div>

</div>



Clyde
Crissey Jr established the motor court, with the help of Thomas Mitchell, a
carpenter, between 1940 and 1945. The Lincoln Motor Court was an attempt to
expand business, as Crissey already owned the Hotel Lincoln on the opposite
side of the road. The Lincoln Motor Court was built near the top of ‘Tull’s
Hill’ in Bedford, PA. ‘Tull’s Hill’ was named after the Tull family, whose farm
was located on the hillside. In 1777, the family was killed on their farm by Indian
tribes.9 Despite its violent
background, the hill was a great spot for a roadside business. 

Throughout
the following years, ownership of the motor court changed quite a few times. The
Lincoln Motor Court was passed to Holmes and Margaret M. Boore in 1945. In
1956, Holmes Boore was given the property, but ended up selling it to Blanche B
Mitchell, Thomas Mitchell’s second wife, ten days later. In 1965, the court was
sold to the Mitchell’s daughter Harriet and her husband Joseph G. Mihelcic who
owned it until 1978. At that point, the Mihelcics sold the court to Joseph and
Joyce Gossard for $33,500. &nbsp;Finally, in
1983, the court was sold to the current owners, Robert J. Altizer, Jr. and his
wife Deborah Altizer for approximately $25,000. In addition to the ownership,
the name of the motor court was also changed. In 1983, the Altizers changed the
name to the Country Comfort Motel, but it didn’t last very
long.10 A few years later, the court was restored to its original name, The
Lincoln Motor Court, to commemorate the historical significance of the highway.11

Today,
Robert and Deborah Altizer work hard to preserve the unique charm of the Lincoln
Motor Court, as it is the last remaining, functioning motor court along the
Lincoln Highway. The court is still complete with 12 separate cabins positioned
in a “U” shape around a courtyard and the owners’ house. Each cabin is complete
with a small porch overlooking the courtyard which promotes that important
value of community. The owners have tried to maintain as much of the original
style and character of the cottages as possible. Inside each cabin, there are
objects typical of the 1940s and 50s, such as radios, quilts, dollies, and
suitcases.12 Wood paneling and ceramic
bathrooms are an iconic part of the Motor Court’s cabins, to transport the
guests back in time.13

As
the last remaining motor court still serving overnight guests along the Lincoln
Highway, the Lincoln Motor Court has a significant role in preserving unique
parts of the Lincoln Highway experience.14 Pennsylvania Preservation had a program in 2014 called "Pennsylvania at Risk" that helped support the Lincoln Motor Court. In 2008, they were featured in a documentary, "A Ride Along
the Lincoln Highway," which also helped to support the success of the business.15 The court continues to
serve all kinds of guests, providing them with much more than a place to stay.
The Lincoln Motor Court offers its visitors an immersive experience to witness
the lifestyle and culture of life on the Lincoln Highway.&nbsp; <div><div>

</div>

</div>

Between 1940 and 1945, The Lincoln Motor Court was established by Clyde Crissey Jr and carpenter Thomas Mitchell. The Motor Court was built along the Lincoln Highway in the ever-popular Bedford County, PA to provide travelers a place to stay along the roadside. The Lincoln Motor Court is the only remaining, fully-functioning motor court along the highway today. The 12 cabins have been kept as close to original as possible, offering visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves into the rich history and culture of the Lincoln Highway. 

The Lincoln Motor Court

The S.S. Grand View Point Hotel’s story began long before it was built. It started in the mid-1920s when Herbert Paulson bought a stand on Grand View Point near Bedford, Pennsylvania. This stand was owned by a guy the locals called Mr. Richelieu when Paulson bought it for $3,200. Paulson expanded the stand calling it Grand View Point Inn. Then he expanded again using a castle theme accompanied by a matching gas station. This was the start of what would later become the famous S.S. Grand View Point Ship Hotel.

The construction process was not a smooth as Mr. Paulson, who would later be known as the “Captain,” would have liked. The state was worried that it would slide off the hill. Paulson was reluctant and said, “It’s my property- either you let me build it or you buy the property.” So, construction went underway. The ship closing, over the piers of the existing building. The project required 63.5 tons of steel and cost $125,000 borrowed at 16% interest. Another hurdle that needed to be overcome was the steepness of the hill. The construction team had to go down thirty-two feet before they hit rock solid enough to support the foundation. After construction was finished, it was ready for its “Grand” opening.

Around noon on May 29th, 1932, the ship hotel was officially opened for the first time. Articles in the May 6th and 27th, 1932 Bedford Gazette announced the grand opening dates to the public. An estimated 500,000 visitors stopped on the dedication day. Upon entering, a gift shop was to the right, the bow, filled with knick-knacks from around the world, including American Indian jewelry and moccasins Paulson especially liked. To the left was the main dining room and marble-topped bar and soda fountain. Linoleum flooring resembled waves on water, life preservers hung on sea-green walls and the room was painted with murals recalling the captain's trips to Holland. A smaller dining room at the far corner was reserved for banquets and parties; it featured a mural of eleven sailors said to be the Grand View Orchestra. Both rooms boasted a fabulous and famous view. &nbsp;The hotel offered concerts, tours, and staff inspections during the grand opening. Herbert’s granddaughter recalls the upstairs rooms were called “first class,” the lower rooms were called “second class” and “third class.” The employees who lived on the bottom floor joked that they lived in the steerage.&nbsp;The ship kept a log of customers and included famous names like Clara Bow, George Burns, Joan Crawford, Henry Ford, Greta Garbo, Lillian Gish, Tom Mix, J. P. Morgan, Buddy Rogers, Rudy Vallee, George Raft, Mary Pickford. The ship’s ninth log which ran from September 1936 to June 1938, had more than 102,000 names, including tourists from every state and 72 foreign countries. 

The S.S. Grand View Point Ship Hotel had a lot to offer to its visitors. One of the main attractions is the fact that a person could view seven counties and 3 states (PA, WV, MD). The ship had a lookout deck on one corner with various telescopes to view the sights. It was only located about eighty miles east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was not a far drive to spend a night on a ship hotel and enjoy what it had to offer such as dances. Dances were held on the decks during evenings in the 1930s and early 1940s. The only downside to this hotel was the fact that the restrooms were down the hill on a long walk. To make up for this walk, visitors could see ponds filled with fish on the way down.&nbsp;

The Ship Hotel had many years of great success. However, business declined in the 1940s as the Pennsylvania Turnpike took most of the travelers from the Lincoln Highway. The Paulsons retained ownership of the ship until the 1970s, when they sold it off. The new owners tried reviving it, calling it Noah’s Ark. They covered it with wooden planking and built a zoo over by the gas station. The decaying Ship Hotel burnt down in 2001. While it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, it was delisted in 2002 after its destruction.

The S.S. Grand View Point Ship Hotel was a place where many memories were made. Many of the previous staff remember each other as family. During its’ nearly forty years of service, it has seen many visitors with many different backgrounds. There was an effort to try an restore the ship before it burnt down. An estimate was done, and it would cost about $2.6 million to restore the structure. That is a lot of money to raise, however, there may be hope. Will it be possible to once again see the S.S. Grand View Point Ship Hotel back on its’ glorious perch on Grand View Point? Many people would like to revisit the once-hopping establishment.

Upon climbing the Appalachian Mountains and rounding the corner of Grand View Point, a ship stood on the side of the mountain. The S.S. Grand View Ship Hotel was the site of live bands, good food, and a place to stay the night. Since 1932, people have stopped at the ship hotel at Grandview Point to "See 3 States and 7 Counties," as the sign on the ship's hull proclaimed to all passing motorists for nearly 60 years. After closing , the Ship Hotel burned down in 2001. The ship was part of a time when people did not race to their destination, when the success of a trip was measured by the enjoyment of the journey, not just the number of miles accomplished per hour.

S.S. Grand View Ship Hotel

Located in Buckstown, Pennsylvania,
Duppstadt’s Country Store lies along a portion of the Lincoln Highway. This
unique store prides itself on its hospitality and down-home country feel. Although
the owners have changed throughout the years, this location has remained a
general store through its time.First opened in 1904 by the
Williamson family, it was originally a general store in a small portion of
their house. As the store continued to grow, it took over a larger portion of
the house. In these days, the Lincoln Highway was not yet built, but travelers
on horseback would come to the general store for supplies and goods (Caggeso). Then, in 1913, the Lincoln Highway
was built, increasing the number of travelers on the road. This 3,389-mile, coast-to-coast
route stretched from New York to San Francisco, with a portion of the highway lying
right in front of this location. The store has had multiple owners’ over the
last century, at one point becoming&nbsp;a Clover Farm Store. The Duppstadt family bought
the store in 1970, and it opened as “Duppstadt’s Country Store” on January 1,
1971 (Butko). Duppstadt’s Country Store is family-run with an old-fashioned
feel, including wildlife mounts and antiques.&nbsp;


After&nbsp;an increased number of grocery stores and other big-box retailers appeared in the surrounding area, the
Duppstadt’s transitioned to selling a more unique and diversified variety of goods in their country store (Pickels).&nbsp;While the country store's staples, like jams and candies, have remained the same
through the years, other products have changed as the trends change. The Duppstadt’s
sell local specialties, such as apple butter, maple syrup, honey, cheese, and
more, that are all made right in Somerset County. They have a large selection
of work and western boots, as well as western clothing. They also sell home décor, seasonal items, and PA fishing licenses. Because of the large offering of products, Duppstadt's Country Store is commonly referred to as "Buckstown Mall" ("Home").&nbsp;

Buckstown is a small town in
southwestern Pennsylvania. Though it is a rural town, there has been increased
traffic in the surrounding area because of the influx of visitors to the Flight
93 Memorial. Duppstadt’s Country store is located 1.5 miles away from the memorial,
and Indian Lake Resort is also less than 5 miles away. Local shoppers and
visitors from the nearby attractions visit “Buckstown Mall” for both common and
unique items (Ganassi). From local specialties and work boots, to Flight 93
memorabilia and seasonal offerings, Duppstadt’s Country Store has a wide
variety of offerings for everyone.

Duppstadt’s Country Store lies along a stretch of the Lincoln Highway in Stoystown, Pennsylvania. This general store originally opened in 1904 in a portion of the Williamson family home. Throughout the years, the store has grown and changed owners several times. Since the 1970’s, the Duppstadt family has owned and operated “Buckstown Mall.” They sell a wide variety of products, including local goods and specialty items. Located near the Flight 93 Memorial and Indian Lake Resort, Duppstadt’s Country Store is an old-fashioned and hospitable family-run business.

Duppstadt's Country Store

On September 11, 2001, the United States of America fell victim to terrorists who hijacked four airplanes. United Flight 93 is the only plane that did not hit its intended target, the United States Capitol. Forty ordinary people sacrificed their lives when they supposedly overtook the four hijackers aboard United Airlines Flight 93. At 8:42 a.m., the 33 passengers and seven crew members departed from Newark as they began their flight to San Francisco. Sadly, these people had no idea that they only had 81 minutes to live before becoming victims of the worst act of terrorism in American history. During these 81 minutes, the forty passengers supposedly rallied together and prevented the plane from crashing into the United States Capitol.

 United Flight 93 was one of four planes hijacked by Al-Qaida affiliated terrorists. Unlike the other three hijacked planes, Flight 93 did not hit its intended target. The passengers on this flight had access to internet-connected devices and Airfones, so they learned about the fate of the passengers who were on the planes that struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Realizing that they would encounter the same fate, the passengers united and decided to take matters into their own hands. From telephone conversations and cockpit recordings, it is evident that the passengers attempted to overtake the plane using the limited resources at their disposal. One of these important resources was boiling water. Sandy Bradshaw, a flight attendant, informed her husband during a phone call that she was going to boil water to throw at the hijackers. In his final conversation with wife, passenger Jeremy Glick, explained that many of the men on the flight were larger than the hijackers. For this reason, Glick believed that the passengers had the physical strength to overpower the hijackers. Additionally, passenger Todd Beamer tried to make several calls to his wife, but he kept getting the answering machine. In desperation, Todd dialed “0” and reached an operator. Todd prayed with this operator, and then he informed her that the passengers were not going to go down without a fight. The operator said that she heard Todd tell the other passengers, “Let’s roll.” Then, the phone went dead. Traveling at 563 miles per hour, Flight 93 crashed in a field outside of Stoystown, Pennsylvania several minutes later at 10:03 a.m.

            Since the passengers exhibited exemplary heroism, efforts to develop an official memorial became a top priority for Americans. In the meantime, local residents erected a chicken wire fence on a quiet hillside that overlooked the crash site. This temporary yet powerful memorial in the middle of rural Pennsylvania attracted people from all across the globe who came to pay their respects. This temporary memorial remained for ten years until the National Parks Service completed the first phase of the official United Flight 93 Memorial on September 10, 2011.

            In 2002, Congress passed the Flight 93 National Memorial Act and allocated $50,000,000 for the construction of the memorial. In 2005, Paul and Milena Murdoch won the international design competition judged by government officials, community members, and the victims’ families. Their design completely transformed the field from an abandoned coalmine to a serene memorial park. The most iconic element of the Murdoch’s design is the memorial wall, which includes a marble slate for each passenger. There is a light at the base of each marble slate, which illuminates the names at night and symbolizes that light can persist even in the darkest times. This memorial provides a quiet place to honor the heroes of Flight 93. 

The memorial wall located near the crash site lists the names of the victims. If you are interested in learning more about the victims, please read the captions next to the pictures below this paragraph. The pictures are in the same order as the names appear on the memorial wall.

United Flight 93 Memorial

The Lincoln Highway was America’s first coast-to-coast highway that winds its way through centuries of Pennsylvania’s history. The creation of the Lincoln Highway had a significant impact on how people of that time period traveled. As automobiles became more popular, they faced challenges to keep up with the demands of the tourists traveling along these roads. Roadways such as the Lincoln Highway helped generate jobs such as gas stations, hotels, restaurants, and diners for the convenience of tourists who were traveling along these roads. Another reason why the Lincoln Highway was so popular is because of the roadside attractions along the way of the highway. These type of roadside attractions were so unique compared to any other highway. One attraction in particular that is unique in its own right is the Bicycle Roadside Giants. Architectural structures such as the Bicycle Roadside Giant are what make the journey along the Lincoln Highway so interesting.

During the days of the early formation of the Lincoln Highway, Roadside Giants were very influential for the roadways popularity.&nbsp; It was the roadside giant concept of the early 1900s that triggered a great partnership between the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor and the five Career and Technology school districts in 2009. The organization has helped create roadside giants along the Lincoln Highway in Pennsylvania's Westmoreland, Somerset, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin and Adams Counties. The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor (LHHC) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1996. Each school involved with this project all had the same guidelines and budget. &nbsp;Each school was also given a committee of 7-10 individuals from each community worked in an advisory capacity with the students on a regular basis at the school. A professional structural engineer, Paul McQuade, oversaw all design and installation elements. However, the main goal for this campaign was not just to attract tourists and create brand new additions to the Lincoln Highway Roadside Museum, but also to teach all the students about its historic impact. The project seeks to bring together people in the community and provide them with a unique opportunity to educate students and allow them to leave there own personal impact/footprint through the creation of a sculpture.

Roadside Giants have had a lasting impact, especially on the Lincoln Highway. Still to this day more are being created because they are such a popular attraction to tourists who travel along the Lincoln Highway. One attraction, in particular, that is more modern from the other attractions is the Bicycle Roadside Giant. The roadside giant is near the intersection of Routes 30 and 219 near Jennerstown PA. The tandem bicycle is one of five Roadside Giants that you can see driving along the Lincoln Highway in Pennsylvania. The steel and iron bicycle itself is 17-foot-tall, 22’ wide and weighs nearly 2,000 pounds. It is located on the property of the owners of a local re-sale shop, called Second Time Around.&nbsp;Construction of this roadside giant was done by the students at Somerset County Technology Center. The administrative director of the project was Georgia Yeager and had nearly 420 student volunteers helping with the project. The students at this school found their inspiration for this sculpture because of Somerset County's many bike trails, like the popular Great Allegheny Passage. Cycling and Somerset County seem to go hand in hand. Whether it is the Great Allegheny Passage, or another of the County's rails to trails, residents and visitors alike love cycling there. So, there wasn't much discussion when the students designed a Bicycle Built for Two as their Roadside Giant of the Lincoln Highway.

Much of any successful student project come from an enthusiastic and capable instructor who was willing to have the students experience something outside the standard classroom project; and interested in showing students how the skills they have learned in high school today can be translated into employment opportunities in the future. &nbsp;The history of the Lincoln Highway shows how travel has evolved over time - from the good roads movement&nbsp;to a movement to also improve roads for bicyclists. People who go and visit these types of roadside attractions are able to come away with the history, architecture and tradition that comes from these structures.

The Bicycle Roadside Giant was constructed in 2009, near the intersection of Routes 30 and 219 near Jennerstown PA. The tandem bicycle is one of five Roadside Giants that you are able to see as you drive along the Lincoln Highway. The bicycle itself is 17-feet-tall and weighs nearly 2,000 pounds. The construction of this roadside giant was done by the students at Somerset County Technology Center created this Bicycle Built for Two for the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor's Roadside Giants project. The students at this school found their inspiration for this sculpture because of Somerset County's many bike trails, like the popular Great Allegheny Passage. The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor (LHHC) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1996. In 2008, the nonprofit Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor worked with Career and Technology Center students from five school districts along the 200-mile Pennsylvania Corridor to create supersized welded roadside sculptures, reminiscent of early 20th century buildings along the historic Lincoln Highway. 

Bicycle Roadside Giant 

First known as the Jenners Fairgrounds, this racetrack dates back to the late 1920s as it hosted “big car” racing on a flat half-mile dirt oval. As speed racing evolved, so did the track and attractions provided at the complex—a light dirt quarter mile track was built in 1953 and the half-mile track was abandoned, only to return 14 years later. By the late 1960s the grounds were purchased by local businessmen John Frambaugh, Sam Turrillo, Bill Philson, John Philson, Doc Whiney, Harry Horne and Piney and the track was rebuilt into one of the fastest half-mile dirt ovals in the nation. The track further modernized in 1987.After a brief closure from 2009-2014, the track reopened to the enthusiasm of locals and drivers. The racetrack remains a popular attraction for race fans in southwestern Pennsylvania.

The historic Jennerstown Speedway Complex is located in Jennerstown, Somerset County in the Western PA’s Laurel Highlands, at the intersection of Rt 30 and Rt 985 on the historic Lincoln Highway. In nearly constant operation since the 1920s, the Jennerstown Speedway Complex has seen nearly 100 years of racecar history on its grounds—from the days of dirt tracks to today’s asphalt affairs.

Jennerstown Speedway

In 1797, Laughlintown was founded by Robert Laughlin as a
small town which would grow to accommodate travelers along the Pennsylvania
State Road and later the Pennsylvania Turnpike.&nbsp;
Roughly following the path of Forbes Road, the State Road was the first
official road stretch across Pennsylvania.&nbsp;
Situated at the foot of the Laurel Hill, the small town of Laughlintown
developed into a rest stop, boasting at least six inns and dozens of small
businesses.

As the State Road deteriorated, the state made the decision
to construct a turnpike, primarily funded by private companies.&nbsp; It was during this time that Robert and
Rachel Armor came to Laughlintown and purchased what was then a log inn, which
was originally a drover’s inn.&nbsp; Situated
directly on the Turnpike, the couple saw the potential for increased business, made
the decision to expand the inn and added a stone wing, creating a higher class
Inn for stagecoach passengers.

Stagecoaches played a vital role in American history.&nbsp; The first form of mass communication and
transportation, it connected the young country through rapid travel times.&nbsp; By the 1830s, a stagecoach could make it from
Philadelphia to Pittsburgh in approximately 56 hours. Most stagecoaches adhered
to a strict schedule, as many carried the mail.&nbsp;
People relied on the stagecoaches and travelers to find out what was
happening in other parts of the country. Travel was crowded and uncomfortable, but
it was the fastest at the time.

Once at Compass Inn, passengers and drivers were able to
find everything they needed.&nbsp; The Inn and
family provided lodging and meals for the travelers, and a barn and Blacksmith
shop were available to tend to the needs of the coach and horses. Inside the
tavern, the family worked hard to supply guests with the necessities.&nbsp; By our standards today, these taverns would
be dirty, uncomfortable places with a staff that wouldn’t go out of their way
to accommodate visitors. What made Compass Inn a nicer place was the use of a
sitting room, or ladies parlor in addition to the common room, and ample
sleeping space upstairs with beds for guests. Food would be provided in
abundance.

Today, Compass Inn Museum captures the history of stagecoach
travel and the daily life of the 19th century.&nbsp; Guided tours take visitors through the inn,
which is filled with period furnishings, as well as the fully functioning
cookhouse and Blacksmith shop.&nbsp; There is
also a reconstructed barn which houses a restored Conestoga Wagon and
Stagecoach.

Compass Inn Museum and Historic Site is a restored 19th century stagecoach stop along the original Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Turnpike.  Originally built in 1799, Compass Inn captures the history of fast-paced stagecoach culture and the family history of seven generations of the Armor family who lived there.

The site features a fully functioning cookhouse and Blacksmith shop along with a reconstructed barn containing a restored Conestoga Wagon and stagecoach.  Compass Inn Museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 and sits along the Lincoln Highway.


Compass Inn Museum

In the eighteenth century, Native American tribes and colonists from Britain and France competed for land that is now western Pennsylvania. Both the British and French claimed this land as rightfully theirs, based on their respective surveys of the land, settlements, trade routes, military outposts, and treaties with Native American tribes who had occupied the land for centuries. Most Native American tribes in the region joined the French effort to drive out the British. In the 1750s, the French began building a chain of forts stretching down the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, strategic trade and travel routes that the British claimed as part of their colonies. The French, though greatly outnumbered, held Fort Duquesne at the Forks of the Ohio and defeated Colonel George&nbsp;Washington at Fort Necessity and General&nbsp;Edward Braddock's in the Battle of the Monongahela.In 1758, the British planned a counterattack on the French by simultaneously targeting forts at Quebec, Crown Point, Niagara and Duquesne. General John&nbsp;Forbes, assigned to attack at Fort Duquesne, and his men took a different route than General Braddock to the Forks of the Ohio. Their route, known as the Forbes Road, meandered through the forested Allegheny Mountains towards Fort Bedford. Along the way, Forbes's second in command,&nbsp;Colonel Henry&nbsp;Bouquet, ordered an outpost be built between&nbsp;Fort Duquesne&nbsp;and&nbsp;Fort Bedford.&nbsp;This fort would provide the Forbes Expedition with an advantage that the failed Braddock Expedition did not have:&nbsp;a staging area to prepare British forces for the final attack on Fort Duquesne.In September 1758, construction on the fort began. Known as the "Post at Loyalhanna," the fort was&nbsp;later named Fort Ligonier in honor of Sir John Ligonier, a French-born nobleman and Field Marshall of the British Army. In mid-September,&nbsp;British forces under Major James&nbsp;Grant left Fort Ligonier to capture Fort Duquesne, but were quickly defeated by the stronger French forces. In response, the French forces planned an attack on Fort Ligonier to seize their supplies and weaken British presence in the Ohio Valley.&nbsp;On October 12, French and Indian&nbsp;forces attacked Fort Ligonier. At the time, the fort was still under construction. It&nbsp;held around 2,000 British soldiers under the control of Colonel James Burd, whom Colonel Bouquet had left in charge.&nbsp;Though the French and Indian forces pushed British guards and battalions to retreat into the fort, British artillery successfully drove the attackers away. Rather than launch a counterattack, the British continued planning their assault on Fort Duquesne.Fort Ligonier remained an essential outpost as the British gathered supplies, troops, and intelligence that prepared them to attack Fort Duquesne.&nbsp;In mid-November 1785, Fort Duquesne was vulnerable enough for the British to strike. General Forbes and his men, including Colonels Washington, Bouquet and&nbsp;Archibald Montgomerie of Scotland, departed Fort Ligonier. They successfully captured Fort Duquesne, which the French burned as the fled. The reconstructed fort on this location was named Fort Pitt, after William Pitt, the British Secretary of State. This later became the city of Pittsburgh.&nbsp;Fort Ligonier&nbsp;was never taken over by another army, and it served as a refuge for settlers in the Indian Wars. It also was the only strong hold that never fell in the Pontiac Revolt of 1763. After serving seven strong years, Fort Ligonier was abandoned in 1765 by Bouquet's recommendations.&nbsp;Though Fort Ligonier disappeared more than 175 years ago, its location was able to be identified from early military records and maps that outlined the fort. Fort Ligonier's design was based on the principles of continental Europe structure. The structure was mainly made out of earth and timber; which the army had a large surplus. The inner part of the fort was a square shape with pointed projections on all four corners. In the center of the square were storehouses, officer's barracks, power magazine, and other structures.&nbsp;Beginning in 1947, the fort was partially reconstructed. The most recent renovation was the lower inner half inside the walls which includes the officer's barracks and two bastions which are connected by a wall of palisades.&nbsp; Within the reconstructed fort are the officers' mess, barracks, guardroom, underground magazine, commissary, and officers' quarters.&nbsp; Reconstructed buildings outside the fort's&nbsp;walls include the Pennsylvania hospital, a smokehouse, saw mill, forge and bake ovens.&nbsp;The museum's exhibits include&nbsp;the History Gallery, French and Indian War Art Gallery, The World Ablaze: An Introduction to the Seven Years' War exhibit, and the George Washington Exhibit.&nbsp; The&nbsp;eight-acre site recently added its new Fort Ligonier Center for History Education which will be used for educational programming, workshops, lectures and exhibitions.&nbsp;Finally, the fort is the main attraction of Fort Ligonier Days, a three-day arts and heritage festival held every October around the time of the Battle of Fort Ligonier.&nbsp;

Fort Ligonier is a reconstructed eighteenth century fort in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. The fort was established as an outpost for British forces planning an attack on Fort Duquesne in modern-day Pittsburgh. On October 12, 1758, the British successfully defended Fort Ligonier from an attack by French and Indian forces. Less than two months later, General John Forbes, along with Colonels George Washington, Henry Bouquet, and Archibald Montgomerie, departed Fort Ligonier and successfully captured Fort Duquesne on November 25. The capture of Fort Duquesne, replaced by Fort Pitt, solidified British occupation of the Forks of the Ohio and led to the establishment of Pittsburgh. Fort Ligonier was reconstructed in the mid-twentieth century and is the setting of historical reenactments, tours, and a state-of-the-art museum that interprets the history of the Pennsylvania frontier and French and Indian War. 

Fort Ligonier

According to the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association, the railroad was "short in length," but "long in construction." In 1853, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed an act incorporating a railroad company between Latrobe and Ligonier. Originally called the Latrobe and Ligonier Rail Road Company, this line connected the newly formed town of Latrobe, which was laid out by an engineer for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Ligonier, a settlement first established about a hundred years earlier during the French and Indian War.  Surveys for the new railroad were completed in 1853 and 1854, yet financial issues and delays from the state legislature made grading and construction a slow process. The railroad was renamed the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Company in May 1871, with additional surveys conducted - and additional delays. The incomplete railroad went up for sale and was purchased by Judge Thomas Mellon, founder of Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh, in August 1877. Mellon saw the Ligonier Valley Rail Road as less of an financial investment and more of an opportunity to give business experience to his sons, Andrew Mellon (later president of Mellon Bank and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury) and Richard Mellon (also later president of Mellon Bank and founder of the Rolling Rock Club). Mellon opted to construct a narrow gauge (3 foot) line, which was completed and went into service on December 1, 1877.  The narrow gauge line made it impossible to directly interchange equipment with the Pennsylvania Railroad, which operated on standard gauge. The Ligonier Valley Rail Road was the first company to use a car transfer system invented by Robert H. Ramsey in 1878. Persisting complications and expenses led the company to convert the railroad to standard gauge (4 foot, 8.5 inches) in 1882. Nicknamed "The Liggie," the mainline had passenger stations or shelters at Ligonier, Bells, Millbank, Idlewild, Darlington, Long Bridge, Kingston, Osborne, Oakville and Latrobe, with three to five weekday round trips between Latrobe and Ligonier. The Mellons established a park, Idlewild, in 1878 to attract passengers from Pittsburgh as well as local communities to the beautiful Ligonier Valley. The Ligonier Valley Rail Road also carried express and U.S. mail and hauled freight including mineral products, stone, coal, coke, and timber. The worst disaster on the Ligonier Valley Rail Road occurred July 5, 1912, when a passenger train carrying holiday travelers and freight train collided head-on along the Wilpen branch of the railroad. In total, 26 people died and 29 were injured, including many children. Since the railroad relied heavily on industrial freight for income, the decline of local industry eventually led to the Ligonier Valley Rail Road's closure on August 31, 1952. The state condemned the section of line through the Loyalhanna Gorge to expand the Lincoln Highway, now the westbound lanes of Route 30 into Latrobe.  The nonprofit Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association (LVRRA) acquired the Darlington Station property in 2005. Major funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Allegheny Foundation, and Kennywood Entertainment (parent company of Idlewild Park) helped the LVRRA restore the Darlington Station and transform the space into a museum. The Darlington Station, built around 1900, was both the workplace and residence of the agent operating the station, and included a ticket office, waiting room, and convenience store. After the Ligonier Valley Rail Road was closed, Idlewild Park took ownership of the property and used it as a quarters for park employees.  The Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum opened on May 21, 2010 and offers exhibits, guided tours, programs, and research opportunities. The Museum also continues to collect objects and documents related to the Ligonier Valley Rail Road, its largest object being a restored 1905 Bobber Caboose that visitors can explore inside.

The Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum preserves and interprets the history of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road, a 10.3-mile railway that connected the communities of Latrobe and Ligonier from 1877 to 1952. The railroad hauled freight and offered passenger service between Latrobe and Ligonier, including destinations like Idlewild Park, which was founded by the railroad's owner, Judge Thomas Mellon. The Museum was opened in 2010 by the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association in the former Darlington station, built in 1896. Today, the Museum is home to a collection of artifacts and documents, exhibits, and a 1905 Bobber Caboose.

Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum

The Sisters of Mercy take vows of poverty, chasity, obedience and service (Sisters of Mercy). The sisters came to the United States to complete a mission. They wanted to serve the poor, and they specifically wanted to help women. Catherine Elizabeth McAuley was the founder of Sisters of Mercy; at the age of 49, she opened up a house for poor women and educated them. A famous quote by Catherine is, "Sisters of Mercy should be particularly kind - the kindest people of Earth, with the tenderest pity and compassion for the poor" (MercyHealth). She inspired so many sisters to be like her. What the sisters do, then and today, are envision a just world for people who are poor, sick and uneducated (Sisters of Mercy). They are women of faith who commit their lives to God and Catherine McAuley to serve, advocate and pray for those in need around the world (Sisters of Mercy).Saint Frances Xavier Warde was one of the first sisters. She brought six of the Sisters of Mercy to America from Ireland with her when she traveled over (Wikipedia). In just two years, Xavier created two convents in two years. In 1846, she created a convent in Chicago and in 1848, she created another one in a town called Loretto, which is located in Pennsylvania (Wikipedia). She did a lot of work while she was alive, and by the year 1883, she was the oldest sister living during her time (Wikipedia). Unfortunately, in 1884, she passed away; however, by the time she had died, she had created 82 works of Mercy in nine states (Wikipedia). Although she passed at 74 years old, she did a lot and helped a lot of people in her lifetime.Their are about eight other markers around St. Xavier's and they are al within 10 minutes of each other. This is a great history fact, because there are not that many elsewhere. Also, it s interesting because they are all in my hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania and slo just within 10 minutes of my home as well. A few of the markers are Saint Vincent College, Boniface Wimmer, Fred McFeely Rogers, and the Banana Split. All of these markers play a huge role in Latrobe's history, and this is something I grew up knowing my whole life.St. Xavier's and the Sisters of Mercy are still around today. As of 2019, there were still 6,200 sisters left worldwide (Wikipedia). Everything the sisters did were in hopes to care for the poor and needy, especially women. They were so kind and pure to share their skills all to help people. I hope that in future this institute will continue to grow and stay alive in honor of Catherine McAuley and St. Xavier.

In 1831, Sisters of Mercy was founded in Dublin, Ireland. They are a religious institute of Roman Catholic women (Saint Xavier University). In 1843, Sisters of Mercy came to the United States the whole way from Ireland by Saint Frances Xavier Warde. That makes Saint Xavier's the oldest institution in Sisters of Mercy, located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. It was originally located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but eventually migrated to Latrobe. However, the Sister of Mercy are still located in Pittsburgh today. 

St. Xavier's

Originally built on a one-hundred-and-five-acre farm and boasting 20 guest rooms, the Inn at Mountain View not only served as a gas station, but as a highly accredited accommodation for guests visiting from all over the surrounding area planning a short term, and as of today, long term stays for families planning to partake in what the surrounding area has to offer. Originally built in 1924, the first owners of the Mountain View Inn were struggling to stay open and maintain business during the great depression. Eventually, the establishment and its owners went bankrupt and were then taken over by the First National Bank in Greensburg.  Later in 1940, two brothers, Vance Booher Sr. where it was then passed down to Vance and Ned Booher, bought the hotel from the bank, costing them $40,000, a large chunk of cash in the ’40s. That being said, this investment boasted very little compared to the upcoming two-million-dollar renovation, to which the brothers would extend the lodge by adding thirty-seven rooms to the premises. Due to the Inn’s second bank foreclosure, there was another change in ownership over Mountain View. The current owners as of today are a group of investors named Jada View, LLC, who were more than happy to buy it off the bank, ultimately changing the name of the hotel to the Inn at Mountain View. Westmorleand County holds a large selection of things to do for the whole family, such as Idlewild &amp; Soak Zone, Twin Lakes Park, and Fort Ligonier. A few smaller attractions around include golf resorts, white water rafting, and wineries for the adults in the family. Thanks to Westmoreland County’s vast and open area, fishing, hiking, biking, and boating are all possible with ease. In the 1920s, a hotel boasting 20 rooms alone was enough to make it stand out among the rest. Add in the scenery, the gas station, a pool, and the possible activities a family could partake in, the Inn at Mountain View was a sure sign of a good choice. Frankly, the original pool that was built in 1924 along with the inn was removed in 1977, where a new in-ground, but smaller pool was added. This left room for new additions and renovations. In 1998, the Booher brothers added the Loyalhanna wing and a terrace on the main dining room. The inn also boasted entertainment shows such as antiques and even had their own gallery and exhibits of antique items and, at the time, the largest collection of single-malt scotch in Pennsylvania as well as a 3,000-bottle winery.  The Inn at Mountain View was surely a staple in the community, so much so that it gathered the attention of a few famous faces including Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan; entertainers such as Harrison Ford, Guy Lombardo, and Bernadette Peters; as well as Arnold Palmer, The Rolling Stones, Tony Bennet, Three Dog Night, and Dalai Lama. In November 2009, the original inn was demolished. This removed the historic lobby, dining room, and the swimming pool from the premises. This also meant that all of the antiques were auctioned off as well. Today, the final hotel wing to be previously added to the inn still stands, and the current owners invested in a new lobby for the hotel.  Today, the hotel continues to thrive with an increasing number of visitors able to use the various accommodations such as a new dining room, suite-style rooms that contain fireplaces and a master bathroom, king-size-bed and queen-size-bed rooms, with a few that accommodate pets. In order for a hotel to stay above water today, it must also accommodate the current necessities that all successful hotels boast such as Wi-Fi, refrigerators, microwaves, furniture, and televisions. The surrounding area of Westmoreland County is thriving as well with an increasing amount of people passing by on Route 30. The Inn at Mountain View still thrives among the historical places of the area and is a sure way to make a weekend in Westmoreland County one to remember.

The Inn at Mountain View, now renamed to Mountain View Inn, is a historic hotel located just outside of Greensburg, PA. A hotel that has been around for nearly 100 years that has been heavily expanded and reworked to accommodate multiple generations of visitors currently boasts a high number of guest rooms along with a breathtaking view of the surrounding Westmoreland County and the Laurel Mountains peeking over the horizon. The Inn at Mountain View has been a successful landmark and staple within Westmoreland County and has given many Lincoln Highway travelers and comfortable place to stay overnight and even accommodates for long-term visitors. The landscape of the inn has changed drastically over the years, with every new owner altering the hotel to the way they see fit, whether it be adding a pool, expanding the living quarters with more room for guests, or demolishing a part of the hotel entirely. The Mountain View Inn has also seen its fair share of famous and memorable faces.

Inn at Mountain View

In 1938, William Devon purchased the barrel in Pennsylvania and shipped it to Chester. After that, the Chester Teapot was constructed by William Devon on Carolina Avenue (also known as State Route 2). As a gigantic wooden hogshead barrel, the Chester Teapot used in advertising campaign of Hire’s Root Beer. With a unique design “A spout and handle were added at this time and the wooden barrel was covered with tin to form the teapot's shape. A large glass ball was placed on top to make the knob of the lid” (1). To run a concession and souvenir shop, the local teenagers were hired to work inside the Teapot. It created the new image for Devon’s project.The Chester Teapot was closed for two years during the World War II, and in 1947, the Chester Teapot and Devon’s pottery business were sold to Mary Wecherer and Rhelda Cain. The teapot was used to sell food as well as lawn and garden items. The teapot was operating for business’s profit until the late 1960’s.Thereafter, once again in 1971, the Teapot was purchased by Cecil and Alice Fletcher. The Fletcher had painted the Teapot by the colors of blue and while. And they continued their business by selling pottery and souvenir. However, the Fletchers finally closed their business and shut down the Chester Teapot afterward.In 1984, C&amp;P Telephone purchased the land where the Teapot stood on. The old building was dismantled and the Teapot was in danger of being torn down. To deal with this danger, a group of citizens led by a Chester native- Geneva Hill was formed to take an action for saving and preserving the Chester Teapot.After 3 years, in 1987, the Councilwoman Anne Ford had formed a restoration committee to conduct saving project of The Chester Teapot. The restoration of Chester Teapot was started and the teapot was moved to various places in Chester. However, many problems and debates came up and finally the Ford’s committee was disbanded and Chester Teapot’s restoration were halted.Thereafter, the Teapot was moved to Jennings Randolph Bridge Ramp which is known as a heavily trafficked area at the junction of State Route 2 and U.S. Route 30. Furthermore, the State had donated the property and a fence surround the Chester Teapot. And Tri-State Pottery Festival Association had donated a concrete pad to place the Teapot on. In the summer of 1990, the Teapot’s restoration was completely finished by Sayre Graham, Mayor Roy Cashdollar and other volunteers. The Chester Teapot performed itself in the original colors of red and white. On October 12, 1990, the Chester Teapot was dedicated at a ceremony held in Chester’s community center.The Chester Teapot is also known as the World’s Largest Teapot and has become a local attraction where attract a large number of visitors to stop by in their journey

Located in Chester, this 14-foot teapot is the largest in the world. The teapot represents the significance of the pottery industry in the region since 1938. In 1990, the restoration of this teapot was conducted and completed by a group of citizens from the City of Chester, WV. The World's Largest Teapot has become a major tourist attraction attracting a number of visitors from all over the United States. Come and visit to learn more about the history behind this giant teapot.

US-30 Lincoln Highway Long-Cut (Chambersburg, PA to East Liverpool, OH)

Site of World's First Drive-In Gas Station Historic Marker

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information