Author: Sarah

The Ultimate Road Trip Playlist Challenge Kicks Off

Posted on by Sarah

3 Heritage Corridors. 1 Winner!

Pennsylvania is known for its rolling hills, charming towns, and rich cultural history — but what if you could hear that heritage?

This spring, three of the state’s most iconic heritage corridors are going head-to-head in a fun and music-filled contest: the Ultimate Road Trip Playlist Challenge. It’s part competition, part celebration — and all about capturing the spirit of our communities through music.

🚗 Who’s Competing?

Three officially designated Pennsylvania Heritage Areas have joined the challenge:

  • PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor
    Stretching across the northern tier of the state, covering 11 counties,Route 6 offers all the best of PA’s scenic byways. Rural towns, bike ways and artist alleys are found along the stretch of road.
  • The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor
    Running 200 miles through the south-central part of Pennsylvania, the Penn-Lincoln Highway is steeped in Americana, vintage roadside culture, and stories of innovation and industry.
  • The National Road Heritage Corridor
    The National Road winds through PA’s southwestern counties including Fayette, Somerset, and Washington highlighting rich industrial and cultural history.

🎧 What’s the Challenge?

Each corridor will build a curated Spotify playlist that reflects the identity, stories, and vibe of their region. The goal? To create the ultimate soundtrack for a Pennsylvania road trip — one that celebrates the music of local communities and evokes the unique feel of each route.

We need your help to shape them!

🗣️ How You Can Get Involved

We’re inviting residents, travelers, local musicians, and playlist pros to help us build the sound of each corridor. Here’s how:

  • Submit a Song Suggestion
    Think of a song that reflects your corridor — it could be by a local artist, a nostalgic classic, or the perfect track for cruising through your favorite scenic spot. Send us your top picks here.
  • Share the Challenge
    Follow your corridor’s social media pages to watch the competition unfold. Share the challenge with friends, family, and fellow music lovers across the state.
  • Vote (with your ears)
    Once the playlists are released, give them a listen! Vote by following the playlist on Spotify or vote here when it’s time.

🏆 What’s at Stake?

Bragging rights, of course! But more than that, this challenge is about showcasing the cultural richness of Pennsylvania’s heritage corridors.

Ready to drop a track?
 🎵 Submit your song ideas here

Searights Tollhouse

Posted on by Sarah

In the early 19th century, funding for the National Road’s construction and ongoing maintenance was a significant challenge for governments. To overcome this, the concept of toll roads was introduced. Toll houses were erected at strategic points along these roads, where travelers had to stop and pay a fee in exchange for using the road. These fees varied based on the type of traffic and how much damage they would do to the road’s surface. The collected tolls were then used to finance road maintenance and improvements.

The Searights Tollhouse, like many of its time, was built in a style that reflected its practical purpose. Constructed in 1835, it is a two-story brick structure with a distinctive octagonal tower. The toll collector and his family often lived on the second floor, while the ground floor served as the toll booth and office. A small gated area in front of the toll house allowed for the collection of fees and ensured that travelers paid their dues.

The Searights Tollhouse is a testament to the nation’s commitment to improving transportation infrastructure in the early 19th century. As the years passed and transportation methods evolved many of the toll houses along the National Road were abandoned or demolished. However, the Searights Tollhouse has been preserved as an interpretive site, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Today, the toll house is part of the National Road Heritage Corridor and is maintained by the Fayette County Historical Society with support from Fayette County Commissioners, GO Laurel Highlands, and other community partners. It has been restored to its 19th-century appearance and is open to the public seasonally and by appointment, offering visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and learn about the history of toll roads in America.

The Searights Tollhouse is a remarkable piece of American history that stands as a tribute to the ingenuity and determination of the people who built and maintained the early transportation infrastructure of the United States, connecting the nation and facilitating westward expansion. The next time you’re traveling the National Road, don’t miss the chance to visit this charming piece of the past and explore the stories it has to tell.

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