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- "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.
- "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.
- Pennsylvania Turnpike Souvenir Playing Cards, 1940-1950 - 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.
- 1940-1950
- Collections - Artifact
Pennsylvania Turnpike Souvenir Playing Cards, 1940-1950
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.
- Pennant, "Pennsylvania Turnpike," 1940-1965 - 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 scenes travelers experienced while wending their way along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
- 1940-1965
- Collections - Artifact
Pennant, "Pennsylvania Turnpike," 1940-1965
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 scenes travelers experienced while wending their way along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
- "A Colorful Souvenir Book of the Pennsylvania Turnpike System," circa 1952 - Drivers could remember their travels on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with this souvenir booklet. Published by Howard Johnson's, the book contains scenic images of the turnpike and the service stations with Howard Johnson's restaurants.
- circa 1952
- Collections - Artifact
"A Colorful Souvenir Book of the Pennsylvania Turnpike System," circa 1952
Drivers could remember their travels on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with this souvenir booklet. Published by Howard Johnson's, the book contains scenic images of the turnpike and the service stations with Howard Johnson's restaurants.
- Portal and Tunnel on Pennsylvania Turnpike "America's Super Highway," 1940-1950 - 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. The turnpike included seven tunnels through the Allegheny Mountains. Six of those tunnels originally were started in the 1880s for the never-finished South Pennsylvania Railroad.
- 1940-1950
- Collections - Artifact
Portal and Tunnel on Pennsylvania Turnpike "America's Super Highway," 1940-1950
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. The turnpike included seven tunnels through the Allegheny Mountains. Six of those tunnels originally were started in the 1880s for the never-finished South Pennsylvania Railroad.