Marketing the Machine Age: Industrial Archaeology and Heritage Tourism in America’s "Rust Belt"
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14 This detail from the Finley transportation map of 1829 shows the route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad and its connections to the Pennsylvania Canal at Johnstown and Hollidaysburg. (Map: Library of Congress)

One of the primary concerns of the development effort at the Summit Level has been to create an environment at the site which will give the visitor a heightened sense of what the area was like when the Portage Railroad was operating. The problem was one of introducing tangible elements into the landscape which would allow for more effective interpretation of the historic scene.

While numerous archeological investigations had been conducted within the project area, beginning with a reconnaissance survey in 1967, several additional excavations were undertaken in conjunction with the recent development efforts. This new work, conducted by Louis Berger & Associates under contract to the National Park Service, included both compliance related reconnaissance and mitigation excavations and work designed to gather specific information useful in guiding project design.

During this work substantial evidence of Lemon’s coal operation was uncovered. Thirty linear feet of a coal wharf were excavated on the opposite side of the railroad trace, slightly north and west of the Lemon House. The portion of the wharf uncover consisted of parallel roughly trimmed log timbers tied together by short cross members in a crib configuration. The whole structure rested on sandstone footers and the timbers appeared to have been joined with cut notches. The soil matrix in and around the structure consisted, not surprisingly, of deposits of small coal fragments and coal dust (Jacoby, et. al 1993:26).

16 Detail from a plan view showing excavated remains of the coal wharf and stone block railroad sleepers. The coal wharf is at the top and the Lemon House is off the bottom edge of the plan. (Drawing: Louis Berger & Associates)

17 Rough stone slab walkway after excavation. Note the layer of dark stained soil representing a former ground surface. (Photo: Louis Berger & Associates)

Additional evidence of coal operations was found immediately to the north of the coal wharf. In the general vicinity of the documented location of the mine entrance evidence of a small building, probably a utility structure associated with the mine, was identified. In addition, an extensive deposit of coal fragments and coal dust was encountered in this area.

Backhoe trenching in the area between the Lemon House and the railroad trace revealed a linear stone features in two locations. Composed of coarse stone slabs of varying sizes, the two identically constructed features are aligned running parallel to the railroad trace. These two features are probably parts of a continuous feature, which, if this is the case, runs for at least 85 linear feet (LeeDecker 1991:22,24). This stone alignment it is clearly a crude foot walk. The prevailing drainage in the area is from north to south. Such a walkway would have provided a dry and firm path during wet weather. The silty clay soils when mixed with runoff from the slope to the north, and from the elevated trace itself, would have produced a considerable amount of mud. The constant foot traffic to and from the Lemon House and along the side of the trace were sure to have exacerbated the problem of mud in wet weather-- and of dust in dry weather.