Lancaster in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Working The Line
Constructing an engineering marvel across Southeastern Pennsylvania — Lancastrians make their
— Lancaster City —
The 80-mile Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad was the first state-financed and constructed rail line in the U.S. (1823-1834); Pennsylvania Railroad precursor. Original cost estimate: $5,000 per mile in 1823. On completion, actual cost: $34,500 per mile. Reported first use of the Transit for surveying a rail line, a device manufactured in Philadelphia. For this section, builders used the steeple of Trinity Church as a guide; still visible from here. Lancaster leaders raised funds to bring the line in the city center, rather than skirting to the north as originally planned. Operations ceased along the city right of way in 1929.
[Captions:]
Amos Ellmaker (1787-1851)
Founding member Board of Directors, Pennsylvania Railroad, 1823
♦ Born in Leacock Township, Lancaster County
♦ Veteran, War of 1812
♦ State Legislator (1813)
♦ Attorney General (1816)
♦ Candidate for Vice President of the U.S (1832)
Henry Willis (1801-1886)
Builder, Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad & Allegheny Portage Railroad, 1827-1836
♦ Born in Philadelphia
♦ Lancaster County farmer (1808-1826)
♦ Underground Railroad activist, Quaker, early RepublicanParty leader
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.
Location. 40° 2.723′ N, 76° 18.686′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. Marker is on West James Street just east of North Mulberry Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is across the street from the address given. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 243 W James St, Lancaster PA 17603, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lancaster Rotary Park: 100 years of Rotary International (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad, 1834 (about 600 feet away); Underground Railroad (about 600 feet away); B. F. Good / P. Lorillard Tobacco Warehouse (about 700 feet away); 140 Years of Lancaster Baseball (approx. 0.2 miles away); In memory of Local 319 Firefighters (approx. 0.2 miles away); Never Forgotten (approx. 0.2 miles away); Simon Snyder (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lancaster.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 7 times this year. Last updated on July 15, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
