We grew up in Pennsylvania, but seem to know so little about it, I guess because we left right after we became full fledged adults. History was not usually the most important thing on our minds in those days! Hollidaysburg, PA is a very small town near Altoona, PA...which is near Pittsburg. My sister Soozie and her husband, Howard Etzel have a lovely home there, and we paid them a visit yesterday. While visiting, they asked us if we had ever been to "Horseshoe Curve" in Altoona. We had never heard of it, so off we went to get a fascinating history lesson.
(Soozie and Howard are both very happily retired teachers)
The Curve is a railway that was hand carved with picks and shovels and explosives into the Allegheny mountains...it's shaped exactly like a sharply curved horseshoe, and it was a major thoroughfare for the Pennsylvania railroad for shipping goods across the country in the early 1900's. It is still used extensively today by many lines, and you can wave to the engineer as he swings around the curve...(no more caboose, though).
During WWII the nazis plotted to destroy the Curve, and if they had succeeded, it could have crippled the American war effort, and changed the course of history. The PA railroad was the largest transportation artery in the nation, and every day hundreds of trains carrying thousands of troops and tons of military material went through the Curve. In 1942 German submarines landed in the dark of night and fog on the shores of Long Island, NY and Florida and deposited saboteurs to destroy the Horseshoe Curve, and many other targets including the NY water system , Niagara power plant and some major manufacturing plants. Fortunately, because of the saboteurs' greed and stupidity, they were caught , tried and executed before they could carry out their plans. Soozie gave me a book depicting all of this, and much more history of the area during WWII. If you're into history, the book is "The Horseshoe Curve...Sabotage and Subversion in the Railroad City" by Dennis p. McIlnay. Thanks Soozie and Howard for that tidbit!
Then we were treated to a wonderful dinner at the Etzels...not only was the spaghetti sauce home made, but it was made from Etzel's homegrown tomatoes. You can't get much better than that. Finally, we went to Barnes Noble bookstore where Soozie works part time. She knew where every book was and led me right to some that I hadn't been able to find. Gotta keep that rv stocked!
Tomorrow we'll be in Erie with Vern's mom and family..It will be great to see them all!!!
Mary
(Soozie and Howard are both very happily retired teachers)
The Curve is a railway that was hand carved with picks and shovels and explosives into the Allegheny mountains...it's shaped exactly like a sharply curved horseshoe, and it was a major thoroughfare for the Pennsylvania railroad for shipping goods across the country in the early 1900's. It is still used extensively today by many lines, and you can wave to the engineer as he swings around the curve...(no more caboose, though).
During WWII the nazis plotted to destroy the Curve, and if they had succeeded, it could have crippled the American war effort, and changed the course of history. The PA railroad was the largest transportation artery in the nation, and every day hundreds of trains carrying thousands of troops and tons of military material went through the Curve. In 1942 German submarines landed in the dark of night and fog on the shores of Long Island, NY and Florida and deposited saboteurs to destroy the Horseshoe Curve, and many other targets including the NY water system , Niagara power plant and some major manufacturing plants. Fortunately, because of the saboteurs' greed and stupidity, they were caught , tried and executed before they could carry out their plans. Soozie gave me a book depicting all of this, and much more history of the area during WWII. If you're into history, the book is "The Horseshoe Curve...Sabotage and Subversion in the Railroad City" by Dennis p. McIlnay. Thanks Soozie and Howard for that tidbit!
Then we were treated to a wonderful dinner at the Etzels...not only was the spaghetti sauce home made, but it was made from Etzel's homegrown tomatoes. You can't get much better than that. Finally, we went to Barnes Noble bookstore where Soozie works part time. She knew where every book was and led me right to some that I hadn't been able to find. Gotta keep that rv stocked!
Tomorrow we'll be in Erie with Vern's mom and family..It will be great to see them all!!!
Mary
5 comments:
I remember the Horseshoe Curve from several train trips as a kid, in the days when travel by railroad was still the standard. Another neat thing to see, and right in our California backyard, is the Tehachapi Loop. The grade up from Bakersfiled to Tehachapi and points East is so steep that they had to build a loop to add some distance (and flatten the grade). Typical long freight trains actually cross over themselves while in the loop, and it's quite a sight.
Terry,
Can't believe we grew up in Pa and never knew about the curve. My uncle was even a rr engineer, but I guess I never paid much attention. Amazing how much you learn when you get old. Too bad we can't reverse that!!!
Mary
I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to Mom and Dad's when you were there! It sounds like you two are having an amazing time. I love the blog! Talk to you soon, I hope...
love,
nancy k
Nancy K,
All your traveling sounds neat too!! You top us all with your travels! Mary
Post a Comment