About this property
The Allegheny Portage Railroad was the first railroad constructed through the Allegheny Mountains in central Pennsylvania. It operated from 1834 to 1854 as the first transportation infrastructure through the gaps of the Allegheny that connected the midwest to the eastern seaboard across the barrier range of the Allegheny Front. About 36 miles (58 km) long overall, both ends connected to the Pennsylvania Canal, and the system was primarily used as a portage railway, hauling river boats and barges over the divide between the Ohio and the Susquehanna Rivers. Today, the remains of the railroad are preserved within the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site operated by the National Park Service. The railroad was authorized as part of the Main Line of Public Works legislation in 1824.
Location
Federal Designation
The National Register of Historic Places, administered by the National Park Service, is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical, architectural, archaeological, engineering, or cultural significance. Listing on the National Register recognizes a property's importance to American history but does not place restrictions on private owners; it does, however, make properties eligible for federal historic preservation tax incentives and enables consideration in federal planning decisions. National Historic Landmark designation, the highest level of federal recognition, is reserved for properties that possess exceptional national significance in the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture of the United States. This property is recorded in the National Register under reference number 66000648. It was listed on October 14, 1966.
Categories
Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Questions about this property
When was Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site listed on the National Register?
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1966.
What type of historic resource is Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site?
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.
Is Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.
What is the period of significance for Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site?
The period of significance for Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site is recorded as the early_republic era, specifically around 1831.
Can I research the history near Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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An Aubrey US report for an address near Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.