Traces of Tramroads

Tramroads like the one in today's photo were common during the heyday of lumbering in western Pennsylvania. Known as “stemwinders” in the Laurel Highlands area, logging railroads extended lumbering into previously inaccessible forest areas. Traces of tramroads remain at Bear Run Nature Reserve.

Mill Run area resident Bill Scarlett recalls that, “there was a narrow gauge railroad that they used to haul their logs down off the mountain, past the Tissue place and on down to Bear Run, where they transferred the logs on to trains and took them to mills. They'd take the trolley back up with a horse.” And longtime Fallingwater employee Earl Friend remembers following the traces of the old tramroads at Bear Run for a slightly different purpose – to find a Christmas tree.

It's never too late in the year to enjoy the beauty of the woods and look for evidence of old roads like this one but remember, fall is hunting season so stay safe by wearing blaze orange!

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