TUNNEL VISION

Dear R/PS: The tunnel in the photo by James Collins on page 24 is in Huntingdon County, not Centre County. I should know. You see, I passed through that tunnel every day for the nine years from 1987 to 1996 as I pursued my undergraduate and graduate work at Penn State. That tunnel was exactly half way home from the University to my home outside Hollidaysburg, and the daily milestone was a welcome sight. I knew my husband would be starting supper by that time, and that my children would be coming in from outdoors in preparation for my return each day. That tunnel means a lot to me. Thanks for the memory.

Francene J. Calvert
Adjunct Professor of Music
Altoona College of Penn State

Dear R/PS: Those were really great stone-arch bridge photos in the September issue. But you might give geographical accuracy some notice. Those guys who lost themselves deep in the hinterlands southwest of State College in the course of searching for stone bridges seem also to have missed the road signs at the county line. Water Street Village and Spruce Creek Village both lie entirely within Huntingdon County, as does the arched bridge over the highway you pictured. The other two rail bridges (all three were constructed by the former Pennsylvania Railroad Company between 1886 and 1902) cross the Little Juniata River, which forms the Blair and Huntingdon County line. Many Huntingdon Countians know of and appreciate the skill that went into building these massive railway structures. A National Park Service Cultural Resources inventory recently published by America’s Industrial Heritage Project describes them as “multiple semi-circular arch bridges of stone ashlar; the majority are skewed.” Ten separate bridges were needed by the Pennsylvania Railroad to span the winding stretch of river between the villages of Birmingham and Spruce Creek. All can be viewed after a short walk from parallel state highways.

Steve Kemp
Huntingdon, PA

Editor’s note: Mea culpa. I annexed those sturdy stone-arch bridges for Centre County. I did it from my desk, and can offer no excuse but advancing age. Ten years ago, in my youth, I used to ride out frequently on my bicycle, following Route 45 south and west through Pine Grove Mills, past Rock Springs, and on into Huntingdon. The county line was easily distinguishable by a Welcome sign featuring a group of Holsteins; the county itself by its idyllic, rolling beauty. Sometimes I even got as far as Water Street. Guess it’s about time to ride that way again. –David Pacchioli

Research/Penn State is published by the Vice President for Research. Contents copyright 1998 The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-3303. Contact the editor for permission to reprint.