Historic Structure Report: Staple Bend Tunnel, Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
Clemensen B and Sellards & Grigg, Inc.. 1991. Historic Structure Report: Staple Bend Tunnel, Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. Historic Structure Report. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Denver, Colorado
This document combines specific reports related to the history and condition of the Staple Bend Tunnel structure, including architectural data, historic documentation, and an archeological monitoring section. The specific focus of this evaluation is on what would be needed to be able to open Staple Bend Tunnel to the general public as a historic resource. The tunnel represents a transportation and engineering accomplishment created during the infancy of America's railroad development. The Staple Bend Tunnel passes through a ridge of bedrock at a bend in the Little Conemaugh River in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. The tunnel is a major structural feature of the Allegheny Portage Railroad that was constructed between 1831 and 1834. It was the first railroad tunnel in the United States. The tunnel, which was completed in June 1833, is about 900 feet long with masonry at the entry facades. After the Allegheny Portage Railroad ceased operation (1852), the rails were removed in 1858 and the tunnel was abandoned. At the time of this publication, the Staple Bend Tunnel was closed off and used as a water line easement for Bethlehem Steel Corporation. The report also includes illustrations, photographs, and proposed safety improvements. It is recommended that the Staple Bend Tunnel be re-opened and interpreted to the public as part of the Allegheny Portage Railroad.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Clemensen, Berle; Sellards & Grigg, Inc.
- Date of Issue
- 1991-04
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- ALPO , HIST , NER
- Keywords
- Allegheny Mountains, Allegheny Portage Railroad, canal, Cultural Resources, Doric pilaster, ehistory, engineering, HSR, masonry, Pennsylvania Railroad, railroad, Staple Bend Tunnel, stone arch, transportation
- Subjects
- CRIS-HS: 081974: Staple Bend Tunnel