Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS - Cresson, PA

Friday, October 20, 2017

Park Visitor Center

On the second day of the Country Roads Shop Hop, its just after we had lunch near Altoona and we just had our second quilt shop, fifth on the tour, under our belt, we make a planned stop at this site. We begin our journey by parking the car and entering the visitor center. After greeting the ranger and making small talk, we do the stamp thing. We look and purchase some postcards, after which we visit the interpretive panels throughout and look at the replica. After which, the ranger invites us to the other parts of the Summit Level Historic Area of the Main Park, including the exhibit shelter. and the historic Lemon House.

Level 6 Exhibit Shelter

So we say, what the heck lets do it. We follow the trail from the visitor center to the wayside exhibit where the pleasant maintenance staff place a plaque from the ASM that they were working on so I just can take a picture of it (and all the other waysides as Waymarking them is an essential for coming this far from home. Anyway, we visit the  exhibit shelter, which was placed here a decade or so ago and contains a model from the period of significance. 

Lemon House

After dealing with the oohs and aahs of this great work, we proceed down the path and across the tracks to the Lemon House, a stagecoach stop on what is now old US 22 (the Street name is William Penn Highway). You can hear the vehicles and especially the vehicles traversing the old alingment of US 22, and I was astonished as I believe that only the section in front of the Lemon House is four lane and we are on the border of Cresson Township in Cambria County and Logan Township in neighboring Blair County, you could step in line of either county, litteraly and within two different jurisdictions. Anyway, we walk through the first floor of the Lemon House and check the exhibits and return to the visitor center.

At the Visitor Center, we return inside to use the comfort facility before moving on and notice that the NPS recognized late Congressman John P. Murtha for the need for this facility, as this facility was built in 1992. However, the park history began as early as the 1950s and until 1992, US Route 22 was on the old alignment by the Lemon House, which at the time served as the park's visitor center. Congressman Murtha also used the Appalachian Regional Commission, which already wanted to make US 22 a barrier free highway in its entirety, complete the new Center and the access road to the new alignment and its associated interchange

Park Synopsis

The first railroad to circumvent the Allegheny Mountains, the Allegheny Portage Railroad was the finishing piece of the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal.  "The Portage," opened in 1834, marking the first time that there was one, direct route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.  All things to all people, it served merchants, passengers, slaves in pursuit of freedom, and soldiers from the Mexican War.

If You Go

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site is located in southwestern Pennsylvania approximately 12 miles west of Altoona. Today's park covers 1249 acres. The main unit contains the Summit Level Visitor Center, the historic Lemon House, Engine House No. 6 Exhibit Shelter, the Skew Arch Bridge, picnic area and hiking trails.

Located immediately off of US Route 22 at the Gallitzin Exit, this is the best place to start your tour. The park movie is shown in the indoor 60 seat auditorium as requested to give a concentrated overview of the park story. The program lasts approximately twenty minutes. The movie is a dramatic interpretation of what it was like to work and travel on the Portage Railroad. A fictional character, Edgar West, explains life on the canals then speaks of a change of occupation to Portage Railroad.

Ever since 1992, the park is accessed by taking the Gallitzin Exit of U.S. Route 22 and turning right into the park. Though there is a road and a gate adjacent, access is not gained by way of the Lemon House. That road is for staff only.

Park buildings are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm seven days a week.  However, in the winter, these hours are limited and you'll want to visit the park webpage for details.

Park grounds and trails are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

Park hours can change due to holidays and inclement weather. If traveling a great distance you may want to call the park for operating hours. The visitor center desk telephone number is (814) 886-6150.

Accessibility

The Visitor Center, Exhibit Shelter and First, Basement and Staff levels of the Lemon House are fully accessible to wheelchair users as well as comfort facilities and an picnic site at the picnic area, located west of the Summit Level Historic Area. The latter, is accessible via the Cresson exit of US 22.

Accessible restrooms are located in the visitor center; the basement of the Lemon House; and the picnic area. Accessible drinking fountains (for children and wheelchair users) are located at the visitor center, Lemon House, and the picnic area. 

A wheelchair is available for loan at the visitor center, free of charge. In good weather, an electric scooter may also be available (safety brief required). With advance notice, a 5 seat golf cart may be available to assist mobility impaired visitors to more easily visit the Lemon House and Engine House No. 6 Exhibit Shelter. There is also a working elevator at the Lemon House available to wheelchair users. Additonally, the park’s recycled plastic lumber boardwalk meets gradient standards and has bench seats.

The park film is captioned, with captions visible during every film showing.

There are a few tactile exhibits at the Lemon House. Lemon House reproduction furnishings and tools for ranger programs are used to enhance experiences for visually impaired visitors. There is one audio exhibit at the Engine House No. Six Exhibit Shelter.