Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. Constructed for the allegheny portage railroad section of the pennsylvania main line of public works, it is located at a bend in the little conemaugh river. The staple bend tunnel, about 4 miles east of johnstown, pennsylvania, in a town called mineral point, was constructed between 1831 and 1834 for the allegheny portage railroad. Park historical documents national park service history. Jun 19, 2014 the invention and modification of the stapler is evident in the later half of the 1800s, while the earliest known patent for a machine to use a staple and clinch it bend the staple is dated 1877, and was invented by american henry heyl, from philadelphia. Allegheny portage railroad, staple bend tunnel, conemaugh. Once youve tackled our outdoor recreation, stick around for our history and hertiage attractions. April 12, 1831 allegheny portage railroad, first railroad to go west of alleghany mountains, started work on staple bend tunnel, first u. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle. Staple bend tunnel reminiscences of the first railroad over the allegheny mountain, by solomon w. I want to go back when we can take a flashlight and see the inside.
Conquering the alleghenies pennsylvania center for the book. Staple bend tunnel was built through 901 feet of solid rock and completed. Staple bend tunnel, part of allegheny portage railroad, history and modern views. Railroad tunnel constructed in the united states was the staple bend tunnel, located near johnstown, pennsylvania. Staple bend tunnel encyclopedia article citizendium. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The staple bend tunnel, now the site of a walking and biking trail, is located along the path of the flood trail and showcases remarkable stonework from its completion in 1833. The librarys digital collection of books and magazines can be accessed at. To preserve and maintain the staple bend tunnel to approximate the. Located about four miles east of johnstown, pa, the tunnel is part of the allegheny portage railroad national historic site, which operated between 1834 and 1852 and played a critical role in opening the interior of the united states to trade. Featured texts all books all texts latest this just in smithsonian libraries fedlink us genealogy lincoln collection. Staple bend tunnel allegheny portage railroad national historic. Staple bend tunnel old railroad trail mineral point pennsylvania.
Assessment of characteristics and remedial alternatives for abandoned mine drainage. Staple bend tunnel park mineral point 2020 all you need to. From spoons to hightech tbms, we dig into the long, winding story of the tunnel. Staple bend tunnel trail trans allegheny trails mineral. Staple bend tunnel allegheny portage rr hike bike trail. Excavated for the allegheny portage railroad and finished in 1833, the staple bend tunnel was the first railroad tunnel in the united states. Theyve also often been sold as souvenirs at tourist. March 18, 1834 the first railway tunnel was completed today in pennsylvania. The train, in the early days, would be pulled by horses to plane no.
Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. The staple bend tunnel, about 4mi east of johnstown. On march 18, 1834 the first track of this railway was officially put into operation and. Staple bend tunnel johnstown, pennsylvania landmark. The first railroad tunnel in north america was the staple bend tunnel bored in 1832 along the conemaugh river near johnstown, pa.
Theres more than one way to climb the allegheny front. Finished in june 1833, the staple bend tunnel was advertised as the first railroad tunnel in the united states. Its 900foot staple bend tunnel, cut from solid rock, was the first railroad tunnel constructed in america. Allegheny portage railroad, staple bend tunnel, conemaugh borough, east of conrail bridge, geistown, cambria county, pa. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. At the tunnel, visitors will meet historic characters who will share some of the darker stories of traveling and working on the allegheny portage railroad. Construction of the railroad, combined with the pennsylvania mainline canal, exemplified. The name tunnel book probably came from the fact that many of these types of books were created to celebrate the building of the tunnel under the thames river in london in the mid19 th century. The trail then shares the right of way for an additional 2 miles with the staple bend tunnel trail, a national park service site, through the tunnel.
The staple bend tunnel was the first railroad tunnel built in the united states. It was built as part of the allegheny portage railroad, in turn, part of the pennsylvania canal, which connected to pittsburgh. Built in the 1830s, the staple bend tunnel was the first railroad tunnel, and the third tunnel of any kind, in the united states. Do you want to know the entry ticket price for staple bend tunnel park. It was the third tunnel of any kind built in the us, the first tunnels were for other canals in pennsylvania. Early railroad tunnels like staple bend were difficult and laborious requiring thousands of manhours to be built and often resulted in at least a handful of worker. Along the walk you will find six interpretive wayside exhibits with historic photographs that explain what took place on that fateful day of may 31, 1889. Path of the flood trail staple bend tunnel trail spans 11. The tunnel began its life allowing access to horsedrawn rail carriages, hauling canal boats to and from johnstown.
A guide to the rocks, geologic history, and settlers of the area of big bend national park texas bureau of economic geology guidebook 7 ross a. This tunnel, at 901 feet 275 m in length, was the first railway tunnel constructed in the united states. Spirits of the staple bend tunnel national park service. Runners can relive history, while passing through the staple bend tunnel, the first railroad tunnel in the u. Staple bend tunnel, a masonry restoration project completed 3. The history of the drainage of the great level of the fens. Spirits of staple bend tunnel ghost tours visit johnstown. You walking above the railroad lines and you can hear the trains as they pass by.
Featured texts all books all texts latest this just in. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. A state of incline in pennsylvania the new york times. Staple bend tunnelallegheny portage railroad national historic site by sellardse grigg, inc. Whether you are interested in riding the rapids on the stonycreek river or hiking the awardwinning ghost town trail, youve come to the destination for outdoor fun. Staple bend tunnel this 901foot tunnel is the first railroad tunnel built in the united states.
Shop staples for business essentials, printers, ink, computers, office furniture, printing services, promotional products and more. This 901foot tunnel is the first railroad tunnel built in the united states. Events include the half marathon, 12k, and 5k races. The staple bend tunnel, one of the least known, yet most important american railroad sites, was constructed between 1828 and 1834. It was built by the allegheny portage railroad in 1831 and completed in 1834 but was no longer in service by the 1850s and was listed as. It was built by the allegheny portage railroad in 1831 and completed in 1834 but was no longer in service by the 1850s. The allegheny portage railroad was the first railroad constructed through the allegheny mountains in central pennsylvania, united states. The tunnel began its life allowing access to horsedrawn rail carriages, hauling canal boats to and from johnstown and hollidaysburg. From the end of the trail at the south portal of the tunnel, a 3,900foot gap presently exists to the next segment of the path of the flood. Tunnel life cycle design and cost analysis railway age. Visitors will meet park staff at the staple bend tunnel trailhead parking lot in mineral point and take a short bus ride to the tunnel. Staple bend tunnel allegheny portage railroad national. My wife and i went for a walk to see the old staple bend train tunnel. Industries business history of industries business.
This trail is easy, short, beautiful and fascinatingly historical. Where was the first railroad tunnel completed in the us. Located about four miles east of johnstown, pa, the tunnel is part of the allegheny portage railroad national historic site, which operated between 1834 and 1852 and played a critical role in opening the interior of the united states to trade and settlement. In operation from 1833 until 1852 when the pennsylvania railroad bypassed it, restorations to the tunnel have revitalized it into part of a fivemile bikingwalking trail. The first railroad tunnel constructed in the united states was the staple bend tunnel, located near johnstown, pennsylvania.
The report of john golborne, engineer, concerning the. The national park service maintains a very nice trail that you can walk to visit the tunnel. Staple bend tunnel old railroad trail mineral point. Oct 29, 2016 staple bend tunnel unit of allegheny portage rr national historic site, mineral point. Coronavirusrelated closings news, sports, jobs altoona. Great bend tunnel, also known as big bend tunnel, is the place where john henry defeated the steam drill, becoming one of the worlds great folk heroes. This was the first railroad tunnel in america, at 901 feet long. Staple bend was the first railroad tunnel built in the united states, while being the third tunnel in the country at the time. Although the railroad lasted just 21 years, it replaced pack horse trails and wagon roads, substantially reducing the time and cost of crossing the allegheny mountain. The staple bend tunnel, located about 4 miles east of johnstown, pennsylvania, was constructed between 1831 and 1834 for the allegheny portage railroad it was the first railroad tunnel in the united states. It is proclaimed to be the first railroad tunnel in the united states and is located between inclined plane nos. Of thunder and floods johnstown pa the road slowly.
The invention and modification of the stapler is evident in the later half of the 1800s, while the earliest known patent for a machine to use a staple and clinch it bend the staple is dated 1877, and was invented by american henry heyl, from philadelphia. Staple bend tunnel park, 15904 ticket price timings. Staple bend tunnel americas first railway tunnel in. A brief history of tunnels tunnel building may be boring, but its never dull. Search the history of over 429 billion web pages on the internet. Tragedies, some intentional, some not, are explored, too. A 4mile section of the trail extends from ehrenfeld park to the staple bend tunnel parking lot. The trail is good for all skill levels and is primarily used for hiking. Allegheny portage railroad national historic site long range. The bells gap trail follows a meandering rightofway that enabled the bells gap railroad to climb the front on a grade of 4% or less as early as the 1850s.
However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Hiking through history pennsylvania profiles 40 hikes focusing on the states military, industrial, natural and conservation history. Staple bend tunnel is the oldest railroad tunnel in the u. It was built by the allegheny portage railroad in 1831 and completed in 1834 but was no longer in service by the 1850s and was listed as a national historic landmark in 1994. The tunnel, built as part of the allegheny portage railroad, is believed to be the first railroad tunnel in the country. Staple bend tunnel park mineral point 2020 all you.
Mar 22, 2000 built in the 1830s, the staple bend tunnel was the first railroad tunnel, and the third tunnel of any kind, in the united states. Staple bend tunnelallegheny portage railroad national historic. Photo, print, drawing allegheny portage railroad, staple bend tunnel. The staple bend tunnel was the first railroad tunnel in the united states. Bells gap trail biking trail, hiking trail near tyrone. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. Throughout history, tunnel books have often been used to commemorate certain events.
May 24, 2017 my wife and i went for a walk to see the old staple bend train tunnel. Reading up on americas oldest rail tunnels trains magazine. There were informative signs along the way explaining the history of the trail and the tunnel. Western pennsylvania can make its claims to tunnel history.
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