Pennsylvania has been the site of many firsts: first computer (Philadelphia), first commercial radio station (Pittsburgh), and first road enthusiast meet (Greensburg). What a better site to hold the first National Road Enthusiast Meet than where it all began.
The first day was a journey back in time with some aspects of the present. Myself and four attendees traveled the Lincoln Highway from Robinson to Somerset County. We were joined for a while by Brian Butko, who has authored several books on the Lincoln Highway and other road-related products.
We began our trip by taking PA 60 from the US 22/US 30 cloverleaf into Pittsburgh then south on PA 837 to the Fort Pitt Bridge and the Boulevard of the Allies to the Parkway East. Taking the US 30 exit, we followed it to Greensburg where we then traveled on Toll Gate Road to enter the city as those who traveled then PA 1 did many times. On the eastern side of the city, we followed old segments near Westmoreland Mall, Hyundai of Greensburg, and a long section known locally as Frye Farm Road.
In Latrobe, we turned south on PA 981 to access the old alignment where we spotted a rare Lincoln Highway marker that is located in the front lawn of a home. We passed the Latrobe Country Club which is owned by professional golfer Arnold Palmer in Youngstown and continued through to where the alignment joins the current eastbound lanes.
We stopped at the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor office in Ligonier where a few picked up some Lincoln Highway merchandise. Continuing eastward on US 30 we stopped at the
Flight 93 Memorial and the site of the
Quecreek Mine Accident.
I offered to show everyone the Sipesville Fire Hall, where the families waited for word of their trapped family members. While we were waiting, a member of the Sipesville VFD stopped and asked us if we wanted to see inside. It was quite a change from when I remember it in 2002 when I was in
The Pennsylvania Miners Movie and filming took place there. Then we got to see the new hall that was built to replace the old, which was to be moved to the Quecreek site. However, the building could not make the journey in one piece, but would have to be cut into four sections. More than likely, it will just be demolished.
