Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site

10/28/2026

in 1846

Working on the Allegheny Portage Railroad was often a dangerous job. Many workers were injured or killed. These accidents and fatalities were often reported in local newspapers and across Pennsylvania. The October 28, 1846, edition of The Lancaster Examiner tells of an injury that occurred to James Boon, assistant superintendent of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. He was injured on Inclined Plane No. 4, where he was struck by some rail cars that jumped the track. His hand was crushed, and he was dragged for a short distance.

Image: Inclined Plane No. 4 is now part of Level Road near the town of Lilly, PA. NPS photo.

10/27/2026

in 1847, an accident occurred on the Allegheny Portage Railroad near the foot of Plane 10. A man was thrown under train cars. The Huntingdon Journal wrote a few weeks later:

"We learn from the Hollidaysburg Standard that a man by the name of George Seybert met with a fatal accident on the railroad, near the foot of Plane 10, on Wednesday afternoon last. He was bringing a train of cars down, which ran off the track, and he was thrown under them and so severely injured that he died on the next day. He has left a wife and four children in Hollidaysburg to mourn their sudden and irreparable loss.”

Image: Looking down Inclined Plane No. 10. NPS Photo.

10/26/2026

in 1825

On October 26, 1825, the Erie Canal was finished two years ahead of time at a cost of seven million dollars. It also prompted other states to begin building canals. Pennsylvania built the Main Line Canal.

The Erie Canal was 363 miles in length and ran from Buffalo, New York to Albany, New York. It connected the Great Lakes and the Hudson River. Construction began in 1817 and many of the men who built the canal would go on to work on other canal projects. It also prompted other states to begin building canals. Pennsylvania built the Main Line Canal. The system had 83 locks to help with elevation gain and loss, and 18 aqueducts that took the system over water.

Image: A painting of the Erie Canal by artist William Coventry Wall. Public domain.

10/20/2026

in 1851

On October 20, 1851, The Pittsburgh Post published an article about an accident on the Allegheny Portage Railroad.

A little girl was killed on the Portage Railroad. The accident took place on the long level between Planes 1 and 2. “Passengers state that she was discovered in time to have reversed the engine.”

Image: A view along the long level.

10/06/2026

Famous Allegheny Portage Railroad traveler Jenny Lind was born on this date in 1820!

Jenny Lind was born on October 6, 1820, in Stockholm, Sweden. She was known as the "Swedish Nightingale" for her soprano voice. She traveled to America on tour with P. T. Barnum in 1850. Her first performance was at the Castle Garden in September 1850. Author Charles G. Rosenberg wrote: “she then left the stage for the last time this evening, wearied out, yet delighted with a success so magnificently beyond any that had yet greeted a vocalist in America.” She rode on the Allegheny Portage Railroad and performed a song on the Summit.

Image: Jenny Lind, circa 1850. Public Domain.

Alt text: A lady with flowers in her brown hair. She is seated in a light colored dress with her hands on her lap.

09/01/2026

in 1853

If you lived in the mid 19th Century, and needed a job, where would you look? The local newspapers of course! The Allegheny Portage Railroad would regularly post jobs or contracts to make necessary supplies or materials needed for the operation of the railroad, such as this posting from August 26, 1853, looking for proposals to provide cord wood for use on the Allegheny Portage Railroad. (SJL)

Image: A job posting in the August 26, 1853, edition of Democrat and Sentinel asking for potential contractors to provide bids for cord wood for the Allegheny Portage Railroad.

08/31/2026

in 1964

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site becomes a unit of the National Park Service!

On August 31, 1964, The Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood National Memorial become units of the National Park Service with Public Law 88-546!

The first railroad to cross the Allegheny Mountains, the Allegheny Portage Railroad was the final piece of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal.

08/29/2026

Before the Allegheny Portage Railroad was able to operate, workers had to haul ropes to all 10 incline planes. The total length of all the ropes was 50,347 feet and they weighed approximately 18,649 pounds. During the first year of operation in 1834, Rowland Humphreys was hired to distribute all the ropes to the inclines by wagon. He would take the ropes from the rigger's loft in Summitville to each of the inclines of the Portage.

Image: An inclined plane with an engine house at the top.

08/27/2026

National Park Week

Thankful Thursday

We’d like to send a big thank you to everyone who attended a hike, van tour or program this summer at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site!
Image: A park ranger in period clothing presents a demonstration.

08/25/2026

Happy Birthday to the National Park Service! The National Park Service was established as part of the Department of the Interior 110 years ago. Part of the Organic Act of 1916 stated: The service thus established shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purposes of the said parks, monuments, and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.
How are you celebrating the birthday of the National Park Service?

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/nps-birthday.htm

National Park Service Birthday