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National Historic Site

Allegheny Portage Railroad

Engine House and tavern
Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter and the Lemon House at the Summit Level of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. NPS

Overview

The first railroad to cross the Allegheny Mountains, the Allegheny Portage Railroad was the final piece of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. "The Portage" opened in 1834, marking the first time that there was one, direct route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. All things to all people, it served merchants, passengers, slaves in pursuit of freedom, and soldiers from the Mexican War.

State: PA8148866150

Hours

  • Sunday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Monday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Tuesday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Saturday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Fees & Passes

    Map

    Things To Do

    Category

    6 Results
      A park ranger presents a program in the auditorium.

      Evening on the Summit

      Free

      Description

      Attend an Evening on the Summit program select Tuesday evenings during the summer months.

      More info
      Pet Friendly
      A white van by a stone building.

      Allegheny Portage Railroad Van Tours

      Free

      Description

      Allegheny Portage Railroad Van Tours are July 21 and August 9. Reservations open on May 1, 2025, and are required due to limited space!

      More info
      Railroad tunnel entrance

      Guided Hikes

      Free

      Description

      Heritage Hikes are led by a park ranger during the summer months. The distance varies by hike. Reservations are required.

      More info
      Pet Friendly
      Engine House structure

      Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter

      Free

      Description

      Visitors to Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter can view full scale models of the mechanisms that would have originally been in all ten Engine House structures.

      More info
      Stone tavern

      Lemon House

      Free

      Description

      The Lemon House tavern, built by Sam and Jean Lemon in the early 1830s, was a stop along the Allegheny Portage Railroad for travelers to rest and eat.

      More info
      Canal boat replica

      Explore the Summit Level Visitor Center

      Free

      Description

      The Visitor Center has exhibits and a 20-minute park movie that is shown upon request. The Allegheny Portage Railroad, part of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, was the first railroad to cross the Allegheny Mountains.

      More info

    More Images

    Engine House and tavern
    Engine House and tavern
    Engine house
    Engine house
    Lemon House
    Lemon House
    Stone building
    Stone building
    Boardwalk
    Boardwalk
    Tunnel
    Tunnel
    Bridge
    Bridge
    Bookstore
    Bookstore
    Theater
    Theater
    Barrel
    Barrel