Hello,
On the previous post, I wrote about the lost section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike which made me think of The Grand View Ship Hotel.
During the mid 1930′s, the main route from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and points west was US 30, the Lincoln Highway. In the late 1980′s, I was driving for Weaver Chicken and my shipments took me along the old route 30 west of Bedford, PA. On the first day, as I drove along the windy and twisty Lincoln Highway, I noticed what appeared to be a large ship on the side of a mountain… rather a strange site. As I got closer, this building was a restaurant and hotel. During the years when I saw this structure, it was made to look like Noah’s Ark. I thought to myself, I need to see this up close. After making my delivery for the day, I went down the mountain and stopped at this unique building. On that particular day, a few people were trying to restore the restaurant/hotel to its original grandeur. While there, I took time to enjoy some past pictures of the original facility when it looked like a true ocean liner. From the observation deck of the hotel, you could see three states and seven counties. Unfortunately, the building burned down in 2001.
I’ve posted some links for you to view this place as I found it to be a unique business in its day and I’m sure it held lots of memories for many. Hope you enjoy… till next time, be safe
Henry
http://www.lhhc.org/shiphotel.asp
http://www.roadfan.com/grandpt.html
http://roadsidephotos.sabr.org/LH/grandview.htm