Travel History in Lewistown, Pennsylvania
historical marker
This historical marker, titled 'Travel History,' is located in Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission erected it in 1947. The marker highlights five significant stages of travel that shaped this area's development. Before formal roads, foot paths crisscrossed the region. By 1786, scheduled stagecoach runs connected Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, passing through Lewistown. A turnpike linking Lewistown with Harrisburg was completed in 1817, improving road travel. The Pennsylvania Canal, Juniata Division, opened in 1829, facilitating cargo and passenger movement, and its ruins are visible nearby. River craft also actively used the Juniata River for transportation. Finally, the Pennsylvania Railroad arrived in Lewistown in 1849, with its tracks established across the river. Lewistown's strategic geographic position, particularly the Lewistown Narrows, made it a crucial transportation hub for various modes of travel. This marker illustrates the continuous evolution of travel and commerce in Pennsylvania.