East Providence Township near Breezewood in Bedford County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Military Convoys

Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 6, 2006

1. Military Convoys Marker

Inscription. During World War II, the Gateway was considered to be a major stop-off for many servicemen and women who were on their way to Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas and westward. This prime location near the turnpike interchange in Breezewood and along Lincoln Highway has often attracted motorists who were on their way to "somewhere." During the years that the Snyder family owned the Gateway Inn and rest area, the Inn had a contract to supply fuel to the military convoys. It also became known for its bartering system. The family would trade meals, gasoline, and rest to those in the service for Military Service Insignia Patches. The collection of patches that were accumulated can be seen on display inside the inn.

Erected by a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and a Federal Transportation Enhancement award.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Roads & Vehicles • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway series list.

Location. 40° 0.012′ N, 78° 14.076′ W. Marker is near Breezewood, Pennsylvania, in Bedford County. It is in East Providence Township. It can be reached from the intersection of Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Breezewood Interchange (Interstate 70,76), on the right when traveling west. Marker is to the left of the main doors to the Gateway Travel

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Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16537 Lincoln Hwy, Breezewood PA 15533, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in the Laurel Highlands.

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 5 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Pennsylvania Turnpike (here, next to this marker); Forbes Road (approx. 1.8 miles away); Highway Enterprise (approx. 3.9 miles away); Everett Area Honor Roll (approx. 6.8 miles away); Everett Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.8 miles away).

More about this marker. Interstate 70 shares the Pennsylvania Turnpike's roadway for 88 miles between Breezewood and New Stanton before continuing west on its own pavement. But in Breezewood I-70 travels for half a mile on the old Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30), complete with traffic lights and left turns into numerous parking lots before entering the turnpike using the turnpike's interchange with U.S. 30. Pennsylvania has never bothered to build an interchange between I-70 and the turnpike even though I-70 crosses the turnpike on a bridge two miles south of Breezewood. If you're traveling on I-70 to or from Washington or Baltimore, you have no excuse not to stop at The Gateway, and you should too: good food at reasonable prices 24 hours a day.

Also see . . . The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. (Submitted on June 3, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)

Additional keywords.

Closeup of Photograph Shown on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 6, 2006

2. Closeup of Photograph Shown on Marker

Caption reads Merle Snyder serving customers at the Gateway Inn.

Snyder's Gate-Way Inn

The Gateway Travel Plaza, Where You'll Find the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 6, 2006

3. The Gateway Travel Plaza, Where You'll Find the Marker

This is the first thing you see after you pay the toll when you come off the Pennsylvania Turnpike into Breezewood.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,222 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.