Greensburg in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Train Station at Greensburg
Lincoln Highway
The train station at Greensburg, built in 1911 in a French Renaissance style, demonstrates the importance of Greensburg as the crossroads of train lines and roads, and the historical intersection of trains and automobiles. It was built when railroads were at their height of prominence. Then, almost 50 years later, the station closed because traffic on roads had become more important than traffic on the rails.
At the end of the 1800s, most people lived less than 20 miles from a railroad station. Roads often became rutted and muddy and virtually impassable. By the early 1900s, new paving techniques made road surfaces durable, opening the country to a revolution in transportation. Travelers in the pre-automobile era could not imagine road traffic competing with trains for major regional transportation.
(Inscription under the photo on the left side of the marker) The grand opening of the train station at Greensburg in 1911.
The history of the train station at Greensburg illustrates the rise and fall of railroads (in red) compared to the continuing rise of the automobile (in yellow).
1852-First train stops in Greensburg;
1909-Ford builds Model T cars; 1911-Station at Greensburg opens;
1913-Lincoln Highway dedicated; 1940-PA Turnpike opens;
Mid 1950s-Station closes, continues as a train stop;
1996-The Westmoreland Trust restores station;
1998-Station reopens.
Erected by Pennsylvania Heritage Parks Program.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Lincoln Highway, and the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 40° 18.27′ N, 79° 32.79′ W. Marker is in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County. Marker is on Harrison Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greensburg PA 15601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill (about 700 feet away); Westmoreland County (about 700 feet away); Arthur Saint Clair (about 700 feet away); One Academy Hill Place (about 700 feet away); Huff Mansion (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greensburg.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 753 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on February 11, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 6, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.