The Lasting Landmarks of PA Route 6

Kinzua Sky Walk Overlook Bridge State Park

Lasting Landmarks

Tales of PA Route 6 Past

From awe-inspiring natural landmarks to meaningful war memorials, examples of historic architecture to sites important to railroad history — the many “Lasting Landmarks” along Pennsylvania’s Scenic Route 6 tell fascinating stories of the history of Northern Pennsylvania’s people, places, battles, and industry.

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The Historic Lasting Landmarks of PA Route 6

Natural Landmarks

6 Impressive Natural Landmarks – Along PA Route 6

  1. Archbald Pothole – Who knew, in the tiny borough of Archbald, just outside the charming PA Heritage Community of Carbondale, in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, sits a true one-of-a-kind natural wonder: the largest pothole in the world, the Archbald Pothole?!
  2. Raymondskill Falls – With three cascading tiers that together reach almost as high as Niagara Falls, Raymondskill Falls in Pike County, PA, wins the impressive title of the tallest waterfall in the entire state!
  3. Wyalusing Rocks – See the stunning Susquehanna River and Wyalusing river valley as the Iriquois did many years ago, from 500 feet above at Wyalusing Rocks, a past signaling point of the indigenous people.
  4. Four-Mile Run in the Pine Creek Gorge – Pass waterfalls while making your way along Four-Mile Run, down Leonard Harrison State Park‘s Turkey Path, to the bottom of Pine Creek Gorge, Pennsylvania’s smaller-yet-oh-so-beautiful “Grand Canyon.”
  5. Cherry Springs Dark Sky – See the stars like never before at Cherry Springs State Park, the only certified “Dark Sky” location on the east coast, and an astronomer’s paradise with 0% light pollution!
  6. Presque Isle – A major travel destination for around 4-million visitors each year, Presque Isle State Park‘s 3,200-acre sandy peninsula offers recreational activities for everyone!

More Natural Landmarks to See on 6:

6 Incredible Landmarks of Transportation History — Along PA Route 6!

  1. U.S. Brig Niagara & Erie Maritime Museum — Visit the Erie Maritime Museum, home port of the U.S. Brig Niagara, a reconstruction of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s relief flagship during the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie. After touring the square-rigged two-masted warship, explore more of the region’s maritime history inside the museum, housed in a neat old PENELEC generator station.
  2. Longhouse National Scenic Byway — Take this winding two-lane through the Allegheny National Forest, along the valleys, plateaus, rivers, and creeks once used as natural routes of transportation for early Paleo-Indian migrants, the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy, Euroamerican explorers, and pioneers of the Oil Boom and Industrial Revolution!
  3. Pine Creek Rail Trail — Experience the natural wonder of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon from the base of the gorge, where in the 1800s “log drives” clambered down Pine Creek before logging railroads moved in and villages flourished.
  4. Knapp’s Covered Bridge — Take the back roads of Bradford County to Knapp’s Covered Bridge, an 1853 Burr arch-truss covered bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized as the tallest covered bridge in Pennsylvania and last remaining in the county.
  5. Tunkhannock Viaduct — Stand in awe at the base of the largest poured concrete bridge in the world, the Tunkhannock Viaduct, an incredible 2,375-foot-long railroad bridge in the Endless Mountains, lauded as “one of the true wonders of the world” upon its construction in 1915.
  6. Silsby Steam Fire Engine & Honesdale Fire Museum — Head to the friendly Heritage Community of Honesdale to visit the Honesdale Fire Museum located inside the community’s Protection Engine Company No. 3 Station and touting a collection of historic fire protection equipment and artifacts centering around the museum’s prize piece, the fully operable 3rd Size 1874 Silsby Steamer.

More Historical Transportation Landmarks to See on 6:

6 Significant Historic Buildings & Architecture – Along PA Route 6

  1. The Columns – Constructed in 1904 as a summer home for Irish immigrant and wealthy businessman Dennis McLaughlin, The Columns now houses the Pike County Historical Society (PCHS) and a plethora of artifacts and archives, including the Lincoln Flag with bloodstains from the President’s assassination.
  2. Bruce & Arlene Smith Education Center in the Former Hotel Corry – Opening on September 28, 1925, the 76-room Hotel Corry provided premier hostelry accommodations to patrons passing through the city of Corry for over 65 years. Long a cornerstone of the city’s downtown, the former hotel was renamed and dedicated as the Bruce & Arlene Smith Education Center on November 22, 1991, in honor of A. Bruce Smith, who was integral to the development of the Corry Community Foundation. The building has been occupied by the Corry Higher Education Council since its incorporation in 1991.
  3. Grey Towers National Historic Site – Spend some time at Grey Towers National Historic Site,
    the former home of Gifford Pinchot, America’s first Chief Forester and twice former Pennsylvania Governor. Built on nearly 100 acres,Grey Towers
    is considered one of the U.S. Forest Service’s most significant cultural resources. Before leaving Milford, visit the historic site of Pinchot’s former summer school for Yale University’s School of Forestry, Forester’s Hall, now home to a charming antique store.
  4. Medbury Place – Once a stopover on the Underground Railroad, the historic home known as Medbury Place is a standout feature on
    Smethport’s Mansion District Walking Tour.
    Today, the building looks much like it did in the 1800s.
  5. Dorflinger Glass Museum – Visit the Dorflinger Glass Museum, within the 600-acre
    Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary
    in White Mills, to explore the largest collection of antique Dorflinger Glass inside the original home of the famous etched glass’ founder and creator.
  6. The Bradford County Historical Society in the Old Bradford County Jail – Visit one of the oldest historical societies in the state,
    The Bradford County Historical Society,
    to explore the unique history of the Endless Mountains region while inside the 19th-century Bradford County Jail.

More Historic Sites & Buildings to Visit on 6:

 

6 Historical Monuments & Memorials – Along PA Route 6

  1. Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial – Near the longest undefended border in the world, along Lake Erie, the 352-foot Doric column monument honors the War of 1812’s important Battle of Lake Erie and celebrates long-lasting peace amongst Great Britain, Canada, and the U.S. Take a virtual tour of the Perry Monument courtesy of the U.S. National Park Service
  2. Chief Cornplanter’s Monument – This simple monument (pictured above) stands near the location of the Cornplanter Grant, a 600-acre tract of land awarded by the government to Chief Cornplanter and his heirs “in perpetuity” (even though they were the original occupants of the land) in appreciation for his efforts toward peace in the region. He and his heirs resided there until the 1960s when the government authorized construction of the Kinzua Dam, flooding the land for the Allegheny Reservoir. Hear the tale of the broken treaty and subsequent relocation of the Cornplanter Monument in the Johny Cash song, As Long As The Grass Shall Grow.
  3. Austin Dam Memorial Park – Located amidst the massive concrete ruins of Potter County’s most tragic disaster (pictured above), Austin Dam Memorial Park commemorates 78 innocent lives lost when in 1911, the Austin Dam suddenly broke, releasing an overwhelming flood on the small and unsuspecting community of Austin, PA.
  4. Monuments on The Green in Wellsboro – Although most known for its charming Wynken, Blynken, & Nod Fountain, “The Green” in Wellsboro, PA, also boasts several other unique historical monuments, such as a Civil War Soldiers Memorial from 1886 and a bust of John Magee who was instrumental in the development of the region’s coal industry and the Tioga County Railroad.
  5. Wayne County Walk of Honor – Created to honor all service members buried in the county, the Wayne County Walk of Honor consists of an 8-foot center monument bearing military insignias, a map of Wayne County cemeteries, and podiums listing the names and cemeteries of each deceased Veteran. A visit to this impressive memorial, along with a tour of the cemeteries, would make for an educational and meaningful day in and around historic Honesdale, PA. 
  6. War Memorials in Milford’s Downtown Historic District – Where else would you find artful memorials than in this PA Heritage Community with such long-standing connections to the arts and culture? Take a stroll through Milford’s 22-acre Historic District to see several War Memorials, including the Pike County Soldiers and Sailors Monument which features a stoic bronze eagle atop a globe.

More Memorials & Monument Landmarks to See on 6:

6 Impressive Historic Railroad Landmarks – Along PA Route 6

  1. D&H Canal and Gravity Railroad Landmarks – As host to the maiden run of the first commercial steam engine in the country and the historic home of the D&H Canal Company, Wayne County, PA should be on every railfan’s bucket list. The Wayne County Historical Society
    does a brilliant job showcasing the region’s extensive railroad history through the preservation and maintenance of various historic railroad landmarks, including the Delaware & Hudson Gravity Railroad Depot in Waymart, D&H Canal Park at Lock 31 in Hawley, and an impressive museum, featuring the Stourbridge Lion Replica, housed inside the historic building once home to the D&H Canal Company Office in Honesdale. Before your visit is up, make sure to experience rail history firsthand with a Stourbridge Line Train Excursion through the Northern Pocono Mountains!
  2. Steamtown National Historic Site – Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of steam railroad transportation at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA. This preserved railroad yard and steam-era complex features an “adaptively rehabilitated” roundhouse (dating from 1902, 1917, and 1937) where mechanics care for the historic steam and diesel locomotives, technology and history museums, plus seasonal short train rides and special longer excursions.
  3. The Kane Depot – This carefully preserved historic Pennsylvania Railroad Station (dating back to 1871) stands in the middle of the PA Heritage Community of Kane, PA, as an example of the community’s railroad roots that has been preserved and transformed into The Kane Depot, housing Station Shops at The Depot, The Kane Historical Society Museum, a Holgate Toy Co. display, and The McCleery Discovery Center.
  4. Kinzua Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park – Celebrated as the longest and tallest railroad structure and the “Eighth Wonder of the World” at the time of its construction in 1882, the massive Kinzua Viaduct now draws attention for very different reasons: its mangled ruins caused by a tornado in 2003, the impressive
    Skywalk atop a remaining section, the visitors center with exhibits detailing the history, engineering, and science behind the bridge and disaster, and the incredible natural beauty of the
    Allegheny National Forest surrounds it all.
  5. The Birthplace of the Climax Locomotive – Visit the PA Heritage Community of Corry, the home of the Climax Manufacturing Company, known for building over 1,000 geared locomotives—Climax Locomotives—between the 1880s and 1930s. These engines were used on logging roads across the United States and other countries and were key to the industry’s rapid growth. You’ll notice signs of the community’s Climax Locomotive pride throughout the town, such as a large mural and locomotive-shaped bike racks downtown and train-themed playground equipment in Mead Park, but you’ll want to visit the Corry Area Historical Society Museum
    to see the real thing.
  6. Meadville Railroad Depot & Park and Cambridge Springs Trolley Museum – Make sure to include Crawford County on your railfan road trip! The communities have been working hard to preserve and showcase their railroad roots through various community organizations, including the Northwestern Pennsylvania Railroad & Tooling Heritage Partnership and the French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society. The results can be seen in Meadville’s Pomona Park, where a railroad park displays railway equipment, and at the nearby Cambridge Springs Trolley Station Museum and Community Center. Current efforts focus on the restoration of the town’s 1881 Bessemer & Lake Erie Passenger Depot and Freight House to be the home of the future Meadville Railroad Depot Museum & Community Center, set to welcome visitors sometime in 2021.

On & Off the Rails

Many of Pennsylvania’s railways have been revitalized as conventional functioning railroads, and others as walking or biking paths. They all boast fabulous views of the countryside and are enjoyed by all who visit. Here are a few more railroad destinations along PA Route 6 to travel, explore, and experience:

  • NEPA Rail Trails:
    The Rail-Trail Council of NEPA, Inc. is a non-profit organization developing recreational trails in northeastern Pennsylvania. The office is located in the Borough of Union Dale, Susquehanna County, in the Cables Store Building, alongside the D&H Rail-Trail. The basic intent of the NEPA Rail-Trail Council and its trail plans is to enhance the quality of life for the people who live, work, and visit the Endless Mountains Region of Northeast Pennsylvania.
  • Pine Creek Rail Trail – The Pine Creek Rail Trail is a converted railroad bed for walking and biking spanning 62 miles through the Pine Creek Gorge. The trail follows along Pine Creek, known for its exceptional fishing, where anglers utilize the trail for easy access to the water. Other outdoor enthusiasts take advantage of the water access provided by the trail to drop canoes and kayaks. Some primitive camping is permitted along the Pine Creek Rail Trail.
  • Shay Locomotive – The Shay Locomotive is located at the PA Lumber Museum in Ulysses. The PA Lumber Museum hosts a variety of events throughout the year to learn about our lumber history, the Shay Locomotive, and much more.
  • Corry Junction Greenway Trail – Hike, bike, run, or stroll along the 13-mile, heavily trafficked out-and-back Corry Junction Greenway Trail. This stroller-friendly, wheelchair-accessible trail is accommodating for all skill levels and many activity options.
  • Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad – The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad takes you back more than 150 years into the heart of Oil Country in vintage train cars built by Pullman in 1930. Each 3-hour round trip takes passengers through scenic Oil Creek State Park to where oil history began. You’ll learn about the people and places that made up Pennsylvania Oil Country and enjoy the fun of train travel while reliving history. See a variety of wildlife from groundhogs to bald eagles, with ducks, deer, blue heron, and the occasional black bear.
  • Sheffield Railroad Depot – During the time of the lumber boom, industries worked closely alongside each other. Sheffield is known as the last great lumber town of Pennsylvania. This wouldn’t have been possible without the Sheffield Railroad Depot. The lumber industry relied on the railroad for transport, and the railroad relied on the lumber industry for the bulk of its revenue. The once busy train depot closed about 24 years after the last log ran through the sawmill.

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