Search
- "Pennsylvania Turnpike" Souvenir Plate, 1946-1958 - When the first segment of the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened in 1940, drivers appreciated its smooth pavement, gentle curves, and absence of stoplights. The toll road became the prototype for modern limited-access highways. It also became something of a tourist attraction, and drivers purchased souvenirs to commemorate their journeys along the route.
- 1946-1958
- Collections - Artifact
"Pennsylvania Turnpike" Souvenir Plate, 1946-1958
When the first segment of the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened in 1940, drivers appreciated its smooth pavement, gentle curves, and absence of stoplights. The toll road became the prototype for modern limited-access highways. It also became something of a tourist attraction, and drivers purchased souvenirs to commemorate their journeys along the route.
- "Welcome to the World's Greatest Highway: Penna Turnpike," 1957 - The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission touted the turnpike as "The World's Greatest Highway" in this early 1957 brochure. The Commission highlighted the convenience, safety, and comfort of using their turnpike versus other American highways. The brochure contains the standard helpful tools such as maps, mileage tables, driving rules and regulations, and a fare schedule.
- 1957
- Collections - Artifact
"Welcome to the World's Greatest Highway: Penna Turnpike," 1957
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission touted the turnpike as "The World's Greatest Highway" in this early 1957 brochure. The Commission highlighted the convenience, safety, and comfort of using their turnpike versus other American highways. The brochure contains the standard helpful tools such as maps, mileage tables, driving rules and regulations, and a fare schedule.
- Pennsylvania Turnpike Pennant, 1945-1960 - Though some people expressed doubt, thousands enthusiastically paid tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike when it opened in 1940, simply for the privilege of driving fast and effortlessly. The Turnpike was an engineering triumph, involving multiple lanes of continuous concrete pavement that bypassed 939 local roads and cut through seven mountains. This pennant provided a souvenir of the travel experience.
- 1945-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Pennsylvania Turnpike Pennant, 1945-1960
Though some people expressed doubt, thousands enthusiastically paid tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike when it opened in 1940, simply for the privilege of driving fast and effortlessly. The Turnpike was an engineering triumph, involving multiple lanes of continuous concrete pavement that bypassed 939 local roads and cut through seven mountains. This pennant provided a souvenir of the travel experience.
- "Toll Gate, Turnpike Movements, Telford Road System, McAdam Road System" - In the 19th century, road improvements in the United States tended to be private efforts financed by investors and supported by tolls. This illustration shows two methods of road construction. The Telford system used a base layer of stone blocks and an upper layer of smaller interlocking stones to support the road surface. Macadam (or McAdam) roads eliminated the stone-block foundation.
- 1850-1900
- Collections - Artifact
"Toll Gate, Turnpike Movements, Telford Road System, McAdam Road System"
In the 19th century, road improvements in the United States tended to be private efforts financed by investors and supported by tolls. This illustration shows two methods of road construction. The Telford system used a base layer of stone blocks and an upper layer of smaller interlocking stones to support the road surface. Macadam (or McAdam) roads eliminated the stone-block foundation.
- Pennant, "Ohio Turnpike," circa 1960 - After World War II, highways were flooded with family vacationers out to enjoy their new cars and all that America had to offer. Turnpikes and thruways -- limited access toll roads for high-speed traffic -- made their trips easier. Vacationers who used the Ohio Turnpike could remember their experience on America's modern highways with this souvenir pennant.
- circa 1960
- Collections - Artifact
Pennant, "Ohio Turnpike," circa 1960
After World War II, highways were flooded with family vacationers out to enjoy their new cars and all that America had to offer. Turnpikes and thruways -- limited access toll roads for high-speed traffic -- made their trips easier. Vacationers who used the Ohio Turnpike could remember their experience on America's modern highways with this souvenir pennant.
- Pennant, "New York State Thruway," circa 1960 - After World War II, highways were flooded with family vacationers out to enjoy their new cars and all that America had to offer. Turnpikes and thruways -- limited access toll roads for high-speed traffic -- made their trips easier. This souvenir felt pennant depicts the New York State Thruway and various attractions accessible from its exits.
- circa 1960
- Collections - Artifact
Pennant, "New York State Thruway," circa 1960
After World War II, highways were flooded with family vacationers out to enjoy their new cars and all that America had to offer. Turnpikes and thruways -- limited access toll roads for high-speed traffic -- made their trips easier. This souvenir felt pennant depicts the New York State Thruway and various attractions accessible from its exits.
- Newcastle and Frenchtown Railroad Freight Receipt, 1839 - Cushing & Brothers received this receipt, dated May 22, 1839, for "one bundle" to be transported on the Newcastle and Frenchtown Railroad, which was part of the "Citizens' Union Line of Transportation" between Baltimore, Maryland, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- May 22, 1839
- Collections - Artifact
Newcastle and Frenchtown Railroad Freight Receipt, 1839
Cushing & Brothers received this receipt, dated May 22, 1839, for "one bundle" to be transported on the Newcastle and Frenchtown Railroad, which was part of the "Citizens' Union Line of Transportation" between Baltimore, Maryland, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- "Pennsylvania Turnpike System - The World's Greatest Highway," circa 1952 - The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission touted the turnpike as "The World's Greatest Highway" in this early 1950s brochure. The Commission highlighted the convenience, safety, and comfort of using their turnpike versus other American highways. The brochure contains the standard helpful tools such as maps, mileage tables, driving rules and regulations, and a fare schedule.
- circa 1952
- Collections - Artifact
"Pennsylvania Turnpike System - The World's Greatest Highway," circa 1952
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission touted the turnpike as "The World's Greatest Highway" in this early 1950s brochure. The Commission highlighted the convenience, safety, and comfort of using their turnpike versus other American highways. The brochure contains the standard helpful tools such as maps, mileage tables, driving rules and regulations, and a fare schedule.
- Travel Brochure, "The New and Extended Pennsylvania Turnpike," 1950 - Though some people expressed doubt, thousands enthusiastically paid tolls on the new Pennsylvania Turnpike when it opened in 1940, simply for the privilege of driving fast and effortlessly. The wild success of this toll road led to multiple extensions. This 1950 brochure highlights the Turnpike's connections to the capital in Harrisburg as well as to many scenic and historic spots.
- 1950
- Collections - Artifact
Travel Brochure, "The New and Extended Pennsylvania Turnpike," 1950
Though some people expressed doubt, thousands enthusiastically paid tolls on the new Pennsylvania Turnpike when it opened in 1940, simply for the privilege of driving fast and effortlessly. The wild success of this toll road led to multiple extensions. This 1950 brochure highlights the Turnpike's connections to the capital in Harrisburg as well as to many scenic and historic spots.
- Conley's Motel Drinking Glass, 1950-1970 - Conley's Motels consisted of five different motels located at Pennsylvania Turnpike interchanges. Each motel, though unique in design, had several common features: a swimming pool, dining room with cocktail lounge, coffee shop, playground, and "ultramodern" rooms with TV, telephones, heat, air-conditioning, and carpeting. These motels belonged to the Superior Motel Referral Chain, promising certain standards and sharing a reservation system.
- 1950-1970
- Collections - Artifact
Conley's Motel Drinking Glass, 1950-1970
Conley's Motels consisted of five different motels located at Pennsylvania Turnpike interchanges. Each motel, though unique in design, had several common features: a swimming pool, dining room with cocktail lounge, coffee shop, playground, and "ultramodern" rooms with TV, telephones, heat, air-conditioning, and carpeting. These motels belonged to the Superior Motel Referral Chain, promising certain standards and sharing a reservation system.