1862 -1969

Entrepreneur Asa Parker founded the Lehigh Valley Railroad (LVRR) in 1853 to more efficiently transport anthracite coal to market. A freight and passenger station was constructed on this site in 1862. The LVRR Slatedale Branch opened in 1870 for the purpose of transporting slate from western quarries. By the 1890s the LVRR stretched from New York Harbor, through the Lehigh Valley, to Buffalo NY. The Black Diamond Express was LVRR's most famous passenger train. LVRR discontinued passenger service in 1961, which resulted in the closing of the Slatington Railroad Station. On February 1, 1969, 31 cars of the LVRR freight train derailed just north of Main Street. The derailment severely damaged the station, and forced the building to be razed.
LVRR's main line now serves as a rail trail along the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. The LVRR Slatedale Branch has been converted into the State Heritage Trail. This site now functions as the Slatington Trailhead, which provides access to the D & L Trail, The State Heritage Trail, The Lehigh River Water Trail, The Lehigh Canal Towpath in Walnutport, The Lehigh Gap Nature Center Trails and the Appalachian Trail. The Borough of Slatington leases the trailhead property from Lehigh County for the benefit of residents and visitors to the region. The trailhead has been improved and maintained by a partnership between Lehigh County, the Borough of Slatington, and local non-profit organizations.

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Show me all markers in:  Slatington, PA  |  18080  |  Pennsylvania  |  United States of America

Slate Industry
Kern Settlers
Lehigh River
Floating From Mine to Market
Lehigh Canal
Warrior's Path
First School Slate Factory
Anchor Hotel
George Kern Home
Walnutport

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