Chapters: CANAL BOOM OF THE EARLY 1800'S / UNION AND SCHUYLKILL CANALS / THE "MAIN LINE" CANAL SYSTEM DIVISIONS -eastern, western, juniata , and the allegheny portage railroad , the columbia and philadelphia railroad , and the mainline "portable boats" / OTHER DIVISIONS OF THE STATE CANAL SYSTEM - the susquehanna , north branch , west branch , delaware , beaver and erie division , and the wiconisco canal / PRIVATELY OWNED CANALS IN PENNSYLVANIA - delaware and hudson , lehigh , susquehanna and tidewater , conestoga navigation company , the leiper canal , codorus navigation company , and the monongahela navigation company / LIFE ON THE CANALS / PASSING OF AN ERA / APPENDIX
Includes bibliographical references (p. [3] of cover).
Contents
1. How Pennsylvania topography got that way -- 2. Causes of floods -- 3. Frequency of floods in Pennsylvania -- 4. 19th century floods in Pennsylvania -- 5. The Johnstown Flood -- 6. The floods of 1936 -- 7. 1955 flood on the Delaware -- 8. The 1972 flood -- 9. Flood forecasting -- 10. Flood control -- 11. The future.
Summary
From the time of the "Great Pumpkin Flood of 1786" to the Agnes Floods of 1972, Shank shows, both editorially and pictorially, the causes and effects of Pennsylvania floods. Geographical history, detailed flood data and a comprehensive water map are included. This two-color book offers 93 superb illustrations, 88 pages of human interest stories and a definitive guide to major floods in Pennsylvania history. [from the publisher]
Since the first covered bridge in America was built across the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia in 1805, Pennsylvania has been the testing ground for some of the world's most unusual and interesting bridges. Shank delves into the lives and works of Burr, Wernwag, Town, Howe, Ellet, Roebling and Modjeski and others who revolutionized bridge-building of the past 5000 years. With 2-color photos and drawings, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in all bridges...covered to suspension...old or new. [from Abebooks.com]
"Shank describes in detail the evolution of the state's roads. He starts with Indian trails at the time of the Penn Grant and moves along through pack-horse trails and numerous other types of roads, including military, corduroy, plank, stone-surfaced, brick and concrete. His journey ends with today's limited-access expressways and includes plenty of maps, drawings, photos and human interest stories." [from Abebooks.com]
Chapters: PENNSYLVANIA INDIAN TRAILS --- EARLY ROAD DEVELOPMENT --- EARLY RIVER TRAVEL IN PENNSYLVANIA --- LAND VEHICLES AND ROADCONDITIONS, EARLY 1800's --- THE FIRST STONE-SURFACED ROADS --- PENNSYLVANIA PIONEER BRIDGE BUILDERS --- THE CANAL ERA -- AQUEDUCTS AND CANAL ENGINEERING -- INCLINED PLANES AND GRAVITY RAILWAYS --- STEAM RAILROADS IN PENNSYLVANIA --- THE PLANK ROAD--- THE BICYCLE CRAZE --- URBAN RAIL CARS --- THE AUTO ERA OPENS--- PENNSYLVANIA HIGHWAYS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY --- AIR TRAVEL IN PENNSYLVANIA --- THE PENNSYLVANIA TRAVELER TODAY AND TOMORROW
Summary
Pennsylvania's unusual topography and location at the hub of the original 13 colonies make the state's transportation history unique.This comprehensive, 156-page book with four-color cover employs delightful, often humorous, perceptions of the problems which beset Pennsylvania pioneers. It also details an amazing assortment of vehicles and unusual means of crossing streams and mountains, perhaps unequalled in any other state.
