Westmont in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Johnstown Incline
1891
— Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark —
This is one of several, similar inclines built in western Pennsylvania during the late nineteenth century. It was designed by Samuel Diescher (1839-1915) after the great flood of 1889, to provide an efficient means of transportation between Westmont and the Conemaugh Valley.
The Johnstown Incline is among the world's steepest vehicular inclines, with a 71 percent grade. Its length is 896.5 feet. The incline saved more than 4,000 lives in the flood of 1936.
Erected 1994 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 40° 19.523′ N, 78° 55.722′ W. Marker is in Westmont, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County. Marker is on Edgehill Drive, 0.2 miles south of Erie Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the inside north wall of the docking area of the summit station of the Johnstown Inclined Plane. It is posted near the road. It cannot be seen southbound from the road. The station docking area is not enclosed/walled from the road. Marker is in the borough of Westmont. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 711 Edgehill Drive, Johnstown PA 15905, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Johnstown Flood (a few steps from this marker); Westmont Historic District (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Calamity and Prosperity (about 800 feet away); Rolling Mill Mine Disaster (approx. 0.2 miles away); Main Street and Point Stadium Ramp (approx. ¼ mile away); Johns Street Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Johnstown Local Flood Protection Project (approx. 0.4 miles away); Flood Prevention (approx. 0.4 miles away).
Regarding Johnstown Incline. There is a small free parking lot in Johnstown at the wide pedestrian bridge to the base station of the Johnstown Inclined Plane. Boarding the Inclined Plane requires purchasing a ticket (round trip or one way). Tickets can be purchased at either the base or summit stations. Bikes are permitted and easily wheeled onto the cars. The two cars of the inclined plane are at either end of a cable/pully system and thus counter-balance each other.
Also see . . .
1. Johnstown Inclined Plane. Website homepage (Submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
2. Johnstown Inclined Plane. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
3. Landmarks - Johnstown Incline. American Society of Mechanical Engineers website entry (Submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 439 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 2. submitted on May 20, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 10. submitted on September 5, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.