The Pennsylvania Canal System was a series of waterways throughout the state to carry goods and people. It included locks and dams and access points. What was missing, however, was a direct connection between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and between the Susquehanna and Ohio Rivers. The Allegheny Mountains were in the way. Other canals were opening up trade to the west and the state of Pennsylvania quickly realized that the C&O Canal and the Erie Canal were going to leave the state behind. A plan was devised to build a series of inclines up and over the mountains from Hollidaysburg to Johnstown using fixed steam engines instead of locks.
Construction of the Allegheny Portage Railroad began in 1831 and it began carrying canal boats in 1834. Total time from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh was reduced from several weeks to 3-4 days. The inclined planes initially used hemp rope but eventually converted to braided wire cables made by John Roebling. The entire system was made obsolete by the completion of Horseshoe Curve in 1854 and in 1857 the Allegheny Portage Railroad was bought out by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The Lemon House tavern was operated by Samuel Lemon and his wife Jean from 1834 to 1847. It provided passengers and other travelers in the area overnight lodging and meals.
