Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike (Lost Highway)

Every year millions of people travel the Pennsylvania turnpike. Though there's a 12 mile stretch that hasn't felt the rumble of an engine for over 40 years. In 1968 the existing 2 lane tunnels were becoming far too congested. So the state decided to expand four of the seven tunnels to 4 lane passes of highway. The other three tunnels were bypassed for new tunnels, leaving three abandoned tunnels and miles of highway that would be forgotten.

Today near the town of motels you can visit two of these abandoned concrete monsters. Here people dare each other on a daily basis to pass through these dark hollows. The area has a very mysterious aura to it. Grass and weeds poke through the asphalt. You see faintly painted lines representing parking spots at a former service plaza. And you keep looking back over your shoulder expecting a car to zoom by anytime.

Roadside GIANTS: S.S. Grandview Point Hotel

Herbert Paulson was looking out over the mountain near his gas station and small hotel, when he had a thought. The fog that was hovering around reminded him of an ocean. Always the entrepreneur, his mind sprang together a crazy idea.

In 1932 Mr. Paulson opened up the S.S. Grandview Point Hotel. Making the hotel and restaurant look like a ship, the place soon became an immediate hit. Hollywood stars and starlets spent the night in this hotel. Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Tom Mix, and even Thomas Edison to name a few.

The hotel flourished until the 1940's when the Pennsylvania turnpike put a damper on things. With the new more convenient route most tourists by passed the giant ship on the mountain. The Grandview Point hotel suffered through hard times until 1978 when the Loya family bought the property. The Loya family went for a religious theme and transformed the ship into a Noah's ark. Their venture proved unsuccessful and the place eventually closed. The hotel eventually met the wrath of arson's and was burned in October of 2001.

The spot where the ship hotel was located is still a fairly popular tourist spot, and was long before the hotel ever opened. The fact that you're 2,464 feet above sea level, and can see 7 counties and 3 states doesn't hurt matters.

Bedford County, Pennsylvania

In the April zine of Outta the Way we take you for a ride on the lost highway. An abandoned stretch of turnpike complete with tunnels. You'll be daring each other to pass through these dark hollow monsters. We'll also travel on a road where the laws of gravity no longer seem to apply. Soon you'll be rolling bottles, cans, balls, and even your car uphill. And finally we'll point you to some odd roadside attractions, including a giant coffee pot, and an old abandoned amusement park nestled in a wooded area adding a very creepy feel to a child's storybook imagination. So get outta the way, we're going Outta the Way.