Top Stories

Pennsylvania is home to the world’s oldest roller coaster and other fun facts you might not have known

By Jess Shannon, WPXI.com
Leap the Dips in the small town of Altoona, Pennsylvania has the honor and distinction of being the oldest roller coaster that's still operating. The Lakemont Park wooden coaster was built in 1902. It's only 41 feet tall and goes about 10 miles an hour.
By Jess Shannon, WPXI.com

Pennsylvania is known for a lot of things, including Heinz products, Philly cheesesteaks and Hershey's Chocolates.

But here are some interesting facts you may not have known about the Keystone State.

1. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles merged together in 1943 to become one team -- the Steagles.

Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger reacts after a turnover during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

2. A mine fire has been burning under the streets of Centralia for over 50 years. In 1992, all of the buildings were condemned and the ZIP code was eliminated.

3. Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia had running water and central heat before the White House.

Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, which was a real prison until 1971 and today is a National Historic Landmark, hosts an annual Halloween event called 'Terror Behind the Walls.' It's been selected as one of the top haunted houses by America's Best Haunts.

4. The world’s oldest roller coaster, Leap-The-Dips, is located at Laketon Park in Altoona. It is the only side friction roller coaster left in the United States.

Leap the Dips in the small town of Altoona, Pennsylvania has the honor and distinction of being the oldest roller coaster that's still operating. The Lakemont Park wooden coaster was built in 1902. It's only 41 feet tall and goes about 10 miles an hour.

5. Pennsylvania is spelled wrong on the Liberty Bell, sort of. It’s spelled “Pensylvania," but that was a common spelling of the name at that time.

Liberty Bell 15th September 1960: The Liberty Bell at Independence Hall, where the US Constitution was written, the Declaration of Independence was accepted and where the Bell was rung to acclaim its adoption. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images) (Keystone Features/Getty Images)

6. The Liberty Tunnel was the longest auto tunnel in the world when it was first built.

Liberty Tunnel South end of the Liberty Tubes at the intersection with Saw Mill Run Boulevard looking to the north and south from the tunnel approach, November 1, 1932. (Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System)

7. A 4 feet, 9 inches tall, 400-pound lit Peep is dropped for New Year’s every year in Bethlehem.

A 400-pound Peep drops to celebrate the new year as part of Peepfest. (Photo: PRNewsfoto/Just Born Quality Confections)

8. The McDonald’s Big Mac was created over 50 years ago in western Pennsylvania. You can also find the world’s biggest Big Mac in North Huntingdon.

Big Mac Courtesy McDonald's

9. Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Washington County is the oldest site of human habitation in North America

10. Kennett Township produces half the mushroom crop in the U.S.

(Pixabay)

11. The first movie theater by the Warner Brothers is located in New Castle, which is now a museum.

© 2020 Cox Media Group

0

Most Read