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Information courtesy of National Park Service

The Allegheny Portage Railroad was the first railroad constructed over the Allegheny Mountains. This inclined plane railroad operated between 1834-1854 and was considered a technological wonder in its day and played a critical role in opening the interior of the United States to trade and settlement.

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 #6 Exhibit Shelter, the Skew Arch Bridge, picnic area and hiking trails. The Staple Bend Tunnel unit is located approximately 4 miles east of Johnstown, PA. Park Map

The Summit Level Visitor Center, Engine House #6 Exhibit Shelter, Lemon House, boardwalk, and picnic area are all wheelchair accessible.

A wheelchair accessible boardwalk will lead you the short distance (200 meters) from the visitor center to the historic area of the park. On request an alternate form of transportation, for persons with walking difficulties, may be available to access the Lemon House from the visitor center.

A full-scale model of a stationary steam engine in engine house #6 can be viewed from a wheelchair-accessible catwalk.

You can enjoy a variety of activities within the park. Bird watching, hiking, picnicking, cross country skiinig, interpretive programs and nature walks can be a part of your visit. Start at the Visitor Center. You can follow the boardwalk down the hill to visit the Engine House exhibit and the Lemon House. Information on our hiking trails is available at the Visitor Center.

History:

As contractors for Section 7 of the Allegheny Portage Railroad, brothers James and Thomas Etherington (Dr. E.) Appleton were responsible for one of the greatest engineering acheivements of the APRR. Given that the Tunnel has survived remarkably intact into the present increases the praise that the Appletons and their workers deserve. Though not numerous, there exists ample information of the various technical details of the Appleton’s accomplishment, however, details regarding the men themselves are few and far between. However, we do that James immigrated to the U.S. from England with his older brother Christopher in 1819. Thomas, the eldest brother, born May 4, 1784, immigrated two years later. During the time when they were also contractors on (and living at) the Tunnel, Etherington (Thomas) was also overseeing construction of locks at Bridgewater, PA where the Beaver Canal enters the Ohio River. The Appletons also used the Tunnel location as a location for a general goods store, which they sold to neighboring communities and advertised in area papers.

Pres. Jackson’s proclamation, given only days earlier on December 11, 1832, refers to the controversy surrounding the Tariff Bill of 1832. Acting on the principal of Nullification penned by VP Calhoun, the South Carolina legislature declared on October 22, 1832, that unless a compromise was reached, on February 1, 1833, the tariff would be null and no law in that state. Jackson, bucking his tendency toward state’s rights, asserted that this defiance “prescribes to the people of South Carolina a course of conduct in direct violation of their duty as citizens of the United States, contrary to the laws of their country, subversive of its Constitution, and having for its object the destruction of the Union.” Other sections of this proclamation also foreshadow the oncoming Civil War. From the language of both the Proclamation and Appleton’s toast, we can see the fear of a divided U.S. almost 30 years before the start of the Civil War.

Three years prior to the completion of the Staple Bend Tunnel, the Indian Removal Act was passed by Congress on May 26, 1830. After months of debate, Andrew Jackson signed the bill into law. In a message sent by President Jackson to the Choctaws and Chickasaws, he indicated that, as a friend, he planned to move the people west of the Mississippi to a “land of their own, which they shall possess as long as grass grows or water runs.” It was the Indian Removal Act which resulted in the infamous Trail of Tears. Unfortunately, Jackson’s promise only lasted until the early 1900s, when they then were forced to move to other reservations.

Staple Bend Tunnel

Open
Open All Year Sunrise to Sunset

Location
Directions From Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS Take US-22 West Go approximately 17.5 miles Take the PA-271 exit toward Mundy’s Corner/Nanty Glo Keep right at the fork in the ramp and merge onto PA-271 South Go approximately 5 miles and turn left onto Mineral Point Road (PA-3030) Go approximately 2 miles and make right on Beech Hill Road and proceed over bridge Go through railroad underpass; parking lot for Staple Bend Tunnel will be located on the right. From Johnstown Flood National Memorial Take US-219 North Take the PA-53 North exit toward South Fork/Portage Turn right onto PA-53 Go approximately 1 mile to Summerhill Turn left onto Main Street and cross bridge Turn right onto Madison Street Turn left onto Jackson Street Go approximately one mile and bear left at the fork onto Mineral Point Road (PA-3030) Use caution steep hills ahead Go approximately 3.5 miles and turn left onto Beech hill Road and proceed over bridge Go through railroad underpass; parking lot for Staple Bend Tunnel will be located on the right For more information about the tunnel please call the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site Visitor Center at (814) 886-6150.

Available Facilities
You can walk or ride a bicycle the two miles one-way from the parking area to the east tunnel entrance. Interpretive exhibits along the Portage Railroad historic trace and at the tunnel entrances tell the story of the tunnel and the Portage Railroad. The tunnel is open to the public but flashlights are recommend to better view the tunnel. The tunnel parking area is located just across the Little Conemaugh River from the town of Mineral Point.

MUSEUMS

Engine House #6 Exhibit Shelter

Open
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location
In the historic area of the park. 50 meters from the Lemon House.

Closures
January 1, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, December 25.

Exhibits
The Engine House #6 Exhibit Shelter was built to preserve the remains of the original building at the head of Inclined Plane 6. A full-scale model of a stationary steam engine can be viewed from a wheelchair-accessible catwalk. This building also contains interactive exhibits on the railroad’s technology.

Lemon House

Open
Open All Year 9:00 a.m . to 5:00 p.m.

Phone
814-886-6150

Location
Located in the historic area approximatley 200 meters from the Summit Level Visitor Center

Closures
January 1, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, December 25.

Exhibits
The Lemon House was a tavern located adjacent to the railroad and was a common rest and dining stop for railroad passengers. This historic tavern’s first floor has been restored to 1840 using both reproduction and period furnishings. Park visitors are able to learn more about the social and economic aspects of the railroad in the furnished tavern’s bar room, dining room, parlor, and exhibit area.

VISITOR CENTERS

Summit Level Visitor Center

Open
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Phone
814-886-6150

Location
Near Main Park Entrance off U.S. 22 approximately 12 miles west of Altoona and 10 miles east of Ebensburg. Take the Gallitzin Exit and follow the signs.

Closures
January 1, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day, December 25.

Special Programs
The visitor center includes a 60-seat auditorium where 20-minute orientation film is shown.

Exhibits
The Summit Level Visitor Center contains artifacts, exhibits, and models that help tell the story of the railroad. A full-scale model of the Lafayette, a locomotive used on the Portage Railroad, is a featured attraction.

Available Facilities
A book sales area, restrooms, pay phone, and water fountain are also available at the visitor center.

Summit Level Visitor Center
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lemon House Museum
Open All Year 9:00 a.m . to 5:00 p.m.

Staple Bend Tunnel
Open All Year Sunrise to Sunset

ENTRANCE FEES

Individual

Fees
$4 – 7 Days

Details
Applies to ages 17 and over. Children 16 and under admitted free

LOCAL PASSPORT

SW Pennsylvania Park Pass

Fees
$15 – 12 Months

Details
Allows entry to Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Fort Necessity National Battlefield, and Johnstown Flood National Memorial, for pass holder and accompanying spouse, children, and parents.

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