... and other stuff that is still there and interesting...............................518 Main Street Irwin PA 15642

 

Saltsburg(h) PA

the PRR High Bridge and

the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal

Seeing these bridge piers in the Kiski River prompted significant research to determine why they were abandoned so early ( pre-1900 ).

The 1986 USGS topo map shows the abandoned PRR tracks through Saltsburg in yellow. The blue is the current PRR alignment and a newer tunnel. "Old RR Grade" is noted in the upper left corner, but is cut off by a change in year of the map ( note the color change of the river ).

The 1900 USGS map shows the PRR tracks ...BUT... they do NOT explain the bridge piers. Note that the village of Moween did not exist yet.

This 1871 atlas map show the 1855 PRR tracks and the fact that the 1900 tracks were actually the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal.

Here is a canal example.

This 2008 birds eye view shows the 1855 PRR right-of-way.

This 1871 atlas map of the surrounding Loyalhanna Township puts the PRR tracks in perspective. Note at that time the RR branch was called the "Northwestern Railroad". If you look closely you will see that the Waddle family owned Moween.

A PRR steam engine on the newly-built wooden High Bridge.

The bridge was still there in 1899 as noted by the Kiski Prep students painting '99 on it.

This is what it looked like without the wooden siding.

Proud RR employees perhaps ?

A 2009 photo in the same spot as above.

The town was built around the abutments.

 

Here is the bridge date stone. it says 1855.

Our final shot is a view from the street below.