Lincoln Highway Association PA Chapter

06/02/2026

When you come to registration at the Lincoln Highway Association National Conference, don't forget to bring a penny to press. That will be the center square on your BINGO card that you'll get at registration. Lincoln would be proud that you are coming to Downtown York, PA.

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06/02/2026

The Ye Olde Valley Inn stood along the Great Wagon Road serving travelers in wagons and then drivers along the Lincoln Highway since the earliest days of York County.

Come to the Road to Independence Art Exhibition Opening this Friday, June 5th at 5 PM and see artist Cliff Satterthwaite's rendition of this historic roadside stop that greeted weary travelers.

See you at the York College Center for Community Engagement for the opening reception and then the artist discussion panel at 6 PM.

06/02/2026

The Great Wagon Road Poker Run registration is now open. It's a free and fun drive from York to Hanover on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 9 AM to 4 PM. Check it out.

🚗 Hit the road and explore history during the Great Wagon Road Poker Run on Saturday, June 27!

This self-guided driving adventure will take participants across York County and Hanover with stops at local businesses, historic destinations, breweries, eateries, and scenic landmarks, all while collecting cards to build the best poker hand for a chance to win prizes.

Hosted in partnership with the Lincoln Highway Association National Conference, the J. William Warehime Foundation, Main Street Hanover, and Explore York, this unique event combines history, exploration, and community fun into one unforgettable day.

Find additional event details and view all the stops here: https://mainstreethanover.org/great-wagon-road-poker-run/

06/02/2026

When traveling to the Lincoln Highway Association National Conference you no longer can stay at Conley's Motel in Irwin along US 30. The question for you today is "Would you stay here if traveling back in the day? on the Lincoln Highway?" Check out the car ports.

06/01/2026

Richard Chandler Hoff is one of the local artists featured in the Road to Independence Art Exhibition Opening at the York College Gunter-Smith Center for Community Engagement. Here is an example of his work that is already on display as you enter the The Yorktowne Hotel on the right through the revolving door entrance on Market Street (the Lincoln Highway). The artist's graphite pencil on paper "Cloudburst" captures life in the country through the 1940's. All the artists capture life along this famous road over 250 years of transporation history.

Join us on Friday, June 5, 2026 during the Road to Independence Art Exhibition Opening at 5 PM for an artist reception and at 6 PM for an artist panel discussion about their works. This is part of the First Friday in Downtown York events. The Center for Community Engagement is across the street from The Yorktowne Hotel. The art exhibition will remain open with free admission to the community throughout June 2026 thanks to the support of the Powder Mill Foundation and Preservation Pennsylvania.

06/01/2026

Head on down to First Friday in Downtown York to the In Between Pages Bookstore at 113 South District in the Royal Square District and check out the Lincoln Highway Association National Conference book exhibit. It features information about the upcoming conference and has books available for purchase from local and national authors. PA Chapter LHA state director, Tom Davidson, will be stopping by throughout the afternoon and evening to answer any questions that you may have about one of the nation's most historic roads, the Lincoln Highway.

Find your story at In Between Pages. More information available at https://www.facebook.com/Inbetweenpagesyork/ The Lincoln Highway exhibit will be open to the public through June 2026 as we celebrate our nation's 250th birthday.

06/01/2026

A good look at how stage coach traffic increased after turpikes were built in the early 19th century along the road that became the Lincoln Highway.

#50 - 1816 to 1820

In 1816 the population of Ebensburg was 150 and the population of Johnstown was 60.

The town of Loretto was laid out in 1816.

There was a road laid out of Johnstown to Mundy’s Corner. This was the beginning of Route 271 which dates back to 1819. It extended from Johnstown, through a vast forest area and ended up at Mundys Corner and because there were two small cabins here occupied by two French families named Belleau. The location became Mundy’s Square for Martin Mundy, a first family from Germany in 1848.

With the Turnpike’s completion in 1817 (mostly Route 30 today), traffic along that road increased substantially. Robert and Rachel Armor decided to expand the Compass Inn and cater to a wealthier clientele—stagecoach passengers. In order to accommodate well-to-do stagecoach travelers, Compass Inn underwent a major expansion in 1820. If you have not visited the Inn, it is a 'must do'. Located in Laughlintown.

There were enough people in our area in 1820 for the need for a school. First was the Itell School, formed in 1820 by the farmer of that section of what is today Munster Road. It was a pay or subscription school, and was the only one for several years within a radius of several miles.

The Huntingdon, Indiana, and Cambria Turnpike, completed about 1820, crossed Cambria County from the east to the west through Ebensburg and its route has been followed by modern highways.

In 1820, agriculture provided 90 percent of the employment in Pennsylvania.

In about 1820, settlements started to appear in Bedford County. These early residents would use Cambria and Blair Counties for hunting.

By 1820 Most Americans still lived within 50 miles of the Atlantic coast; only a small fraction of the population had moved across these mountains into Kentucky, Ohio, or western Pennsylvania.

The population of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1820 was 168.

Photo is a stagecoach at the Compass Inn

06/01/2026

Based on LHA members, Michael Owens' book and Gregory Maassen en's film, don't miss the Pennsylvania premiere of this PBS documentary.

Join The Spark team for a preview screening and panel discussion of the documentary "After Ike: A Journey that Changed America"