Pennsylvania Turnpike Marker

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Bedford in Bedford County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Pennsylvania Turnpike

By Christopher Busta-Peck, May 28, 2008

1. Pennsylvania Turnpike Marker

Inscription. This is one of the original service plazas for the nation's first long-distance superhighway. On October 1, 1940, the Turnpike opened, stretching 160 miles from Irwin to Carlisle. The Turnpike Commission had been created in 1937; construction utilized the old South Pennsylvania Railroad's right-of-way and tunnels. By 1957 the Turnpike spanned 360 miles across the state and extended 110 miles north to Scranton.

Erected 1990 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Pennsylvania Railroad marker series.

Location. 40° 1.813′ N, 78° 29.591′ W. Marker is in Bedford, Pennsylvania, in Bedford County. Marker can be reached from Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76). Click for map. Marker is located in front of the eastbound rest area. Marker is in this post office area: Bedford PA 15522, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 1 mile of this marker, as the crow flies. The Lincoln Highway Meets the Superhighway (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Pennsylvania Turnpike (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); Fraser Tavern (approx. 0.9 miles away); Anderson House (approx. 0.9 miles away); Espy House (approx. 0.9 miles away); George Washington (approx. 0.9 miles away); "King's House" (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bedford County Civil War Monument (approx. 1 mile away). Click for a list of all markers in Bedford.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Marker and the rest area that it mentions Photo, Click for full size

By Christopher Busta-Peck, May 28, 2008

2. Pennsylvania Turnpike Marker and the rest area that it mentions

More about this marker. This marker is identical to one across the interstate, in front of the westbound rest area.

Regarding Pennsylvania Turnpike. The original rest areas were built to mimic the architecture of the region they were built in. This building appears to pay some homage to the 18th and early 19th century structures that can be found occasionally in the surrounding area.

Also see . . . Historic marker for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Smithsonian Institution (Submitted on December 24, 2008.)

December 24, 2008

3. Pennsylvania Turnpike Marker

Photo of an original of this marker currently on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Historical Tourism - <i>America On The Move</i> Exhibition Photo, Click for full size

December 24, 2008

4. Historical Tourism - America On The Move Exhibition

Text from the Display at the National Museum of American History:

Historical marker, 1990

Cities and states began erecting historical markers along roads in the early 20th century as automobile touring became more common and the public’s interest in history increased. The first modern highway historical marker program started in Virginia in 1927 to highlight local history and increase tourism. The markers originally were designed to be read from a moving car. As automobile speeds increased, the plaques were redesigned and often incorporated into roadside pull-offs or rest areas.

This state marker, one of over 2,500 in Pennsylvania, was located in Bedford County, overlooking the Midway Service Plaza near Exit 11 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Gift of Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission