"The Keystone State"

Welcome to Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania/Maryland border on I-83
May 18, 2006

Apparently in love with the letter "P," Pennsylvania boasts two major cities on either border: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Keystone state is also one of the four U.S. states to be officially known as a commonwealth, along with Massachusetts, Kentucky and Virginia. Philadelphia has played a key role in the nation's history, from the location of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, hosting the Constitution Convention and even serving as the capital for 10 years before ultimately moving to Washington. If Pennsylvania had ratified the Constitution three weeks sooner, it could have dethroned Delaware as the first state. Due to the mountainous terrain in the middle of the state, driving on the highways can be a challenge, since some of the exits on I-80 are 30 miles apart. But it's worth the hassle to enjoy some Pennsylvania signature foods, like Philly cheesesteaks and Hershey chocolate.

If it wasn't obvious from the picture, this sign is enormous. I'm surprised that three small wooden posts can support its weight. While I like the "state of independence" motto and the keystone icon, the rest of the sign is pretty boring. I'm not a big fan of having tourism phone numbers or websites on the signs (or license plates for that matter), so I'd rather have them displayed at rest stops or on a separate sign. The story behind the picture isn't that interesting: I was on my way from Baltimore to Harrisburg and the sign was right on the border and it was easy to stop. Then I turned around at the first exit to loop back for the Maryland sign and passed the sign again on the way to the capitol.

Welcome to Harrisburg

May 19, 2006

Harrisburg is located in a valley just before the Appalachian Mountains, making it an ideal spot for agriculture. But the city is actually larger than the small-town I expected nestled in the mountains, with a bustling downtown and several large office buildings. Geography prevents selecting a city in the geographic center of the state, so Harrisburg makes a decent alternate. The close proximity to the Susquehanna River also made the city important during the Civil War, as it flows down to Chesapeake Bay. I never got an explanation why the city isn't spelled "Harrisburgh" (similar to Pittsburgh) and wonder if it's too late for a change.

The capitol in Pennsylvania is an impressive structure that isn't located in the heart of downtown nor is located in a scenic spot along the river. It has a small plot of land and the buildings occupy most of the area, with the open grassy areas located behind the front of the complex. The front almost resembles a castle with the turrets on each corner. The green dome is unique and the matching smaller domes over each house are a nice touch. I was most impressed with the memorial behind me where I took this picture. Along an open grassy field, segments of the lawn are marked off by year, and areas are marked off in stone representing major armed conflicts and list the names of Pennsylvania solders who died in battle.

Miscellaneous Pennsylvania Symbols

State Route Sign

License Plate

Seal

Quarter