Pennsylvania Turnpike Souvenir Playing Cards, 1940-1950

01

Artifact Overview

When it opened in 1940, the Pennsylvania Turnpike ran 160 miles between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. It was extended another 100 miles east to Philadelphia in 1950. With its wide lanes, absence of intersections, and tunnels that took the road through -- rather than over or around -- mountains, the Pennsylvania Turnpike became the prototype for modern limited-access highways.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Playing cards

Date Made

1940-1950

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2013.0.37.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard

Technique

Printing (Process)

Color

Teal
Gold (Color)
Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 0.75 in
Width: 3.75 in
Length: 2.5 in

Inscriptions

On box lid: Souvenir of/ PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE On map card: The Pennsylvania Turnpike/ America's Superhighway On Ace of spades card: HOWARD JOHNSON'S/ PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE On Joker card: JOKER/ HOWARD JOHNSON'S ROADSIDE RESTAURANTS