Even when blessed with good roads and good weather, crossing the Alleghenies on the Lincoln Highway was a challenge for the early motorist. Steep grades and winding roads resulted in overheated engines and severe cases of vertigo. Entrepreneurs . . . — — Map (db m61117) HM
On Helixville Road at Byrne Road, on the left when traveling north on Helixville Road.
Ninety feet north of this spot stood the first log house in this community, erected in the year 1795 by Jacob and Elizabeth Kemp Kinsey (Kintzy) who were born in Germany in 1769. The homestead contained 439 acres and 87 perches. Patent for the land . . . — — Map (db m14020) HM
The spring opposite here was a favorite stopping place of Prince Gallitzin, famous missionary and founder of the Loretto Settlement. He was often known as Father Smith. — — Map (db m52473) HM
The spring opposite here was a favorite stopping place of Prince Gallitzin, noted prince-priest and missionary who founded the settlement at Loretto in 1792. He was also known as Father Smith. Buried at Loretto, site of his chapel. — — Map (db m52474) HM
Teamster wagon driver resistance to the Portage Railroad was fierce. As the railroad right-of-way was cleared the wagons used the newly cleared and graded surface as their thoroughfare. Even the interruptions of the railroad right-of-way by . . . — — Map (db m234773) HM
On Dry Run Road, on the right when traveling west.
The first canal engineers came from England, Wales, or Holland. By the late 1790's these European engineers had trained a small cadre of engineers, mostly concentrated in the New York area. The New York engineers worked to design canals and to train . . . — — Map (db m234182) HM
Standards of hygiene were horrific by today's standards. It wasn't that people didn't care; they didn't connect hygiene with health. In fact, bathing was considered dangerous to your health. Clean clothes were the mark of a dandy or a rich man. A . . . — — Map (db m234459) HM
On Old Route 22 at Healy Road, on the left when traveling west on Old Route 22.
Here was Number 6 of the ten inclined planes used to carry canal boats by rail, Hollidaysburg to Johnstown. This unique engineering feat was completed in 1834. The length of the road was 36 miles long. — — Map (db m52475) HM
On Old Route 22, on the right when traveling east.
Here was Number 6 of the ten inclined planes used to carry canal boats by rail, Hollidaysburg to Johnstown. This unique engineering feat was completed in 1834. The road was 36 miles long. — — Map (db m52476) HM
(side 1)
This Monument
Was erected to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of
The Old Portage Rail Road
March 18, 1834
A scale model of one of the inclined planes is in the Blair County Historical Museum, Altoona, . . . — — Map (db m52478) HM
From 1834 to 1854 the Portage Railroad passed beneath the Skew Arch Bridge. The original hand hewn stone bridge was built at right angles to the railroad. A right angle turn was arduous for a wagon to negotiate; therefore to make the crossing . . . — — Map (db m60761) HM
On State Park Road, 0.1 miles south of Little Buffalo Road (Pennsylvania Route 4010), on the right when traveling south.
This tavern operated as early as 1798. The tavern's name refers to a large blue ball suspended from a pole; when raised, it announced to travelers and teamsters that overnight accommodations were available. Blue Ball Tavern played an important . . . — — Map (db m241984) HM
