Pen-Mar’s miniature railroad that entertained guest visiting the resort town.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
At least that’s how the Chambersburg Merchant’s Association looked at things on July 10, 1906. Nearly every business in town shut down on that Tuesday so employees and town residents could spend the day at Pen-Mar Park for Chambersburg Day.
“Pen-Mar is the place for every loyal citizen of town to go to-day. By going to Pen-Mar you will not only have an opportunity of being with the majority of the town people on an outing that will also be benefitting the hospital,” the Public Opinion announced.
The weather was clear and pleasant, which encouraged people to make the outing.
Special Western Maryland Railroad trains ran throughout the day ferrying people the 24 miles to park. Three trains carried at least 700 passengers to the park.
Col. John Mifflin Hood, president of the Western Maryland Railway, created Pen-Mar Park in August 1877. The park offered a view of over 2,000 square miles and two mountain ranges at an altitude of 1,400 feet.
“From here on a clear day, one could see the town clock in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, at a distance of 24 miles – with binoculars, of course,” Frank and Suanne Woodring wrote in the book, Images of America: Pen-Mar.
Pen-Mar Park featured a dancing pavilion and a dining room that could seat 450 people. An observation tower was added in 1878. The very popular three-foot-high miniature railroad with an engine, tender and three cars was added in 1904. As many of 2,000 people a day rode the Little Wabash around the park.
The park quickly became a popular destination for tourists who traveled on the railroad from towns and cities all over the East Coast to the Maryland and Pennsylvania mountains. The peak single-day attendance at the park was 20,000 people.
Chambersburg businessmen, professionals, and merchants enjoyed the amusements and speeches by President of the Chambersburg Council J.D. Ludwig and City Solicitor T.J. Minehart in the park’s auditorium. Both men talked about the needs of the town and the state of the business community in Chambersburg.
The Waynesboro merchants were invited to participate, but there was limited involvement.
“It was hoped to have our merchants join their Chambersburg brethren but on account of today being pay day in the shops it could be arranged,” the Waynesboro Herald reported.
Still, some of the merchants were able to get away in the afternoon to participate in a relaxing day with their fellow businessmen.
Likewise, some of the Chambersburg businessmen enjoyed a ride on the relatively new trolley to visit Waynesboro from Pen-Mar. The trolley had been added three years earlier and was part of the Chambersburg, Greencastle and Waynesboro Street Railway. A round trip cost from Pen-Mar to Waynesboro cost 20 cents. The trolley also ran from Chambersburg to Pen-Mar, but the trip took an hour and 40 minutes. The trolley company offered rebates on the fares during Chambersburg Day and donated the rebated amount to the Chambersburg Hospital.
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