Railroad Excursions In 1899

Since railroads have been an issue these past few years, it might be appropriate to write about them when they were the most accessible mode of transportation at the end of the century. I found a Railroad Summer Excursion Route book for the year of 1899. In it are hundreds of excursions one could take A trip to the battlefield of Gettysburg, Luray Caverns and Washington D C. cost only $35 Irnm Boston or $22 from Philadelphia, also personally conducted tours to Florida or California.

On pages 41 to 44 we found excursions to Bedford and Bedford Springs, Pa. We quote the following comments: "Bedford Springs are located in a beautiful valley on the eastern slope of the Alleghenies at an elevation of over a thousand feet above tidewater. Enthusiasts have declared that no medicinal water in the world is the equal of that obtained from these springs. However this may be, it has certainly effected many wonderful cures. It is used for dyspepsia; for hypatic affections; for diseases of the stomach and intestines; for secondary diseases of the lungs; for skin diseases; for rheumatism; for kidney diseases; for gout; for Brights disease, and countless other ills; and is especially efficacious in building up a system worn out by overwork or illness. The pure mountain air of this locality is a most valuable assistant to the waters in restoring health and energy. There is also abundant opportunity for out of doors exercise, as the roads in this section of the State are good, and the rambles are picturesque and romantic.

"Besides the great turnpike thorofares, running west to Somerset, north to Hollidaysburg, east to Chambersburg, and south to Cumberland, with taverns and inns located in quaint old towns at frequent intervals, there are numerous excellent country roads through beautiful valleys rich in agricultural development and picturesque scenery, affording unsurpassed opportunity for riding, driving and coaching parties. For thirty miles or more in all directions, these roads penetrate the surrounding country, far removed from the annoyance and danger of trolley or cable cars which are rapidly annihilating, all over this great continent, the healthful recreation and pleasure of horsemanship.

"If the wonderful medicinal waters found here were the invention of man, the inventor could not have selected a more lovely spot in which to locate them. On two sides rise the mountain spurs covered with luxuriant forests. In the valley between stands the hotel, and at short distances from it gush forth natures healing waters—the famous mineral spring, the iron spring, the sulphur spring, the chalybeate spring, the remarkable sweet-water spring and the immense limestone spring."

"Bedford is easily and comfortably reached by the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad to Huntingdon, thence to the Bedford Division."

The through rates roundtrip from Altoona to Bedford was $4.35, Hollidaysburg $4.75, Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C. at $11.80 or Cumberland $1.85, Philadelphia $12.75, New York $16.75. If you purchased a special form ticket which required the purchaser's signature at the time of purchase and in the presence of the ticket agent, you received a discount. For instance the Washington, D.C., fare was $9.55 or the Altoona fare was only $3.50. The Bedford-Bedford Springs Excursion was number 5. There were more than a hundred cities listed in the book where tickets could be purchased for this excursion, all by rail to Huntingdon, then on the Huntingdon & Broad Top Mountain Railroad to Mt. Dallas and thence the Pennsylvania Railroad to Bedford.

The principal Hotels in Bedford and vicinity with capacity were listed as follows:

Arandale Hotel—Capacity 200

Bedford House—Capacity 60

Bedford Springs Hotel—Capacity 700

Chalybeate Hotel—Capacity 150

Corle House—Capacity 50

Hotel Arlington—Capacity 50

Hotel Waverly—Capacity 100

Union House Capacity 50

Washington House—Capacity 75

Much to my surprise there were no excursions to Chalybeate Hotel listed. On page 198 Special Excursion number 666 took you to Sulphur Springs, Pa. The following description of this resort was:

"The fine local reputation heretofore enjoyed by this health-creating resort has now become universal. It is located in Millikins Cove, one and one-half miles from Sulphur Springs Station and ten miles southwest of Bedford. The location is exceedingly picturesque and romantic. The water contains a combination of iron, sulphur, and other mineral ingredients of medicinal value." The principal hotels were: Colvin House— capacity of 200 and the May house 40. Travelers took the same route of transportation - via Huntingdon to Mt. Dallas to Bedford and Sulphur Springs.

The fare from 'Pittsburg' was $7.05, Johnstown $5.45, Bedford .50 cents, and Cumberland, Md., $1.35. These fares were limited to continuous passage in each direction. Stage transportation to the hotel and back to the station was not included in the train fare.

Bedford and Bedford County have been a vacationer's paradise for many, many, many years. Yes, times have changed. The railroads no longer bring hundreds of people here. However, the reputation of this county still exists as a vacation center and we hope travelers will continue to visit our beautiful county in the future centuries.