Kinzua Viaduct

As a boy I was taken on a special trip to Kinzua Viaduct by train. I was either with my Mother or my Grandmother. Through my fuzzy memory, I seem to remember that Grandma arranged for or at least paid for the adventure. The wonderful train tressel is in north eastern Pennsylvania, although it is nowhere near Mercer, Grandma's home town. I don't think all of my family was along, since I know I felt special to have the privilege of being chosen to go. I felt very grown up, though I probably was only 14 or so. I really don't know. I bet older sister Meredith can remember more about this. The tressel was extremely old and vaulted across the sky, like an Erector set, it seemed, part of the early rail system in Pennsylvania. I bet I can narrow in on the time of trip because they certainly stopped traffic over the structure not long after my visit. Anyhow, I can remember I was in my Sunday suit, and had an overcoat on. I can remember moving between cars, the sound of clicking tracks, and pressing to the window to see the valley and remember the scary feeling looking down at the green valley as we went over the Viaduct.

This memory came back because I ran across the following item:

On July 21, 2003 the Kinzua Viaduct, located in Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania, was struck by an F-1 tornado. This act of nature resulted in the loss of 11 of the 20 towers that have supported the Kinzua Viaduct in its reach across the sky for over 100 years. Internationally recognized as an architectural and engineering marvel, the Kinzua Viaduct was one of Pennsylvania's most visually recognizable landmarks. The Kinzua Bridge Foundation is dedicated to the restoration, renovation, preservation and site interpretation of the Viaduct and Kinzua Bridge State Park.