Taylor Township in Waterfall in Fulton County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Old PA Pike Trail

Photographed by William Pope, September 12, 2025

1. The Old PA Pike Trail Marker

Inscription. The Old Pennsylvania Turnpike Trail (TOPP Trail) is an 8.5-mile trail that is part of the original Pennsylvania Turnpike.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike was an engineering marvel when it opened its tollgates to automotive traffic in 1940. The TOPP Trail includes the original Sideling Hill and Rays Hill Turnpike tunnels which were closed to traffic in 1968 when a bypass was constructed between the Sideling Hill Service Plaza and Breezewood.
Bring your bike light or flashlight when passing through these 2 miles of now abandoned tunnels. The trail also traverses the Buchannan State Forest, which includes nearly 100 miles of trails for hiking and biking enjoyment.

Erected by Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 40° 3.613′ N, 78° 4.842′ W. Marker is in Waterfall, Pennsylvania, in Fulton County. It is in Taylor Township. It is on North Hess Road north of Pennsylvania Turnpike (U.S. 76), on the right when traveling west. This marker is located at the Sidling Hill Service Plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3744 North Hess Road, Waterfall PA 16689, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Blue Star Memorial Highway (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Littleton (approx. 6.3 miles away); Military Convoys (approx. 9.1 miles away); The Pennsylvania Turnpike (approx. 9.1 miles away); Burnt Cabins (approx. 9½ miles away); Forbes Road (approx. 9½ miles away); McConnellsburg (approx. 9.7 miles away); George Diven (approx. 9.7 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fort Lyttelton (was approx. 6.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by William Pope, September 12, 2025

2. The Old PA Pike Trail Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2025, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 48 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 23, 2025, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.