Secret test site

[locost7018]

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/nascar/the-secrets-of-laurel-hill/

[MHKflyer52]

That is neat and a great use of an old structure that would just decay and become a hazard if it were not used for something today. I do know of an old rail tunnel that was converted to grow mushrooms just outside of Kennet Square, PA. back in the early sixties but do not know if it is still being use as such today. This article and clip makes me think about all those days as a youngster riding my bike all around the area where I lived with my friends of that time. Sure was a much simpler time back then.

As a kid growing up in PA. and having traveled on the PA Turnpike (RT 76) in the fifty's and early sixties with my parents and as a young man driving the PA Turnpike from Pittsburgh, Pa to just outside Philadelphia, Pa I do not recall ever going through any place call Laurel Hill, Pa. but it is most likely a little farm community that is along side of the turnpike and forgotten by most people except the locals kind of like the town in the movie CARS (Radiator Springs) and old Rt 66.

Edited March 22, 2011 by MHKflyer52

[Kitcat]

Similar memories Martin. I grew up in western PA in late 40's-early '60's and we took the Penn Turnpike many times to visit friends in Philly. I can still taste those Ho-Jo's fried claims:). We went thru the Laurel Tunnel each time. I do remember the large back ups where the highway went from 4 to 2 lanes. As I recall, the speed limit was 50 mph in the tunnel.

 

Mike M.

[MHKflyer52]

Hi Mike M.,

I do remember the rest stops and the restaurants and the gift shops that they had along with the service stations that where about every 50 miles or so and on the opposite side of the last one and that they were all built out of local field stone. Times sure were different then and traveling was an adventure for most folks during that time especially when done by car.

 

PS: I grew up outside of Coatesville, Pa. which was a booming town back then with the main business being Lukens Steel Company which is now nothing like it was back then and neither is the town that I grew up in...sure is a shame.

[Kitcat]

Martin-I grew up in Meadville, 75 miles north of Pittsburgh. We had 2 factories that employed 8000 people (American Viscose and Talon Zippers). All have long since been shuttered, along w/most of the the other factories (Tho ChannelLock is still there). Town is now a shell of the place I recall-sort of a miniature Detroit.

[escondidoron]

Sort of reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen's "My Homtown".