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Historic Valley Forge Train Station, near Washington’s HQ»
Valley Forge National Historical Park preserves the site of George Washington’s Continental Army’s winter encampment. From December 1777 to June 1778, the army camped, trained and suffered through a hard winter. The troops were decimated by disease, starvation and desertion due to the harsh living conditions.
After stopping at the visitor center and watching the introductory film, we got directions for the 10-mile Encampment Tour. This is a self-guided driving tour with nine stops. Stop number 5 is Washington’s Headquarters.
Right next to Washington’s Headquarters is the Valley Forge Train Station. The station was built in 1913 out of the same stone as the older Headquarters building. It shuttled visitors to the park from Philadelphia through the 1950s.
The station was restored in 2009 and now houses a museum about George Washington and the history of Valley Forge.
Valley Forge posts:
- Valley Forge National Historical Park
- Muhlenberg Brigade
- National Memorial Arch
- Washington’s Headquarters (Coming Soon)
- Valley Forge Station
- Washington Memorial Chapel (Coming Soon)
Location: 1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Designation: National Historical Park
Date designated or established: July 4, 1976
Date of my visit: 10/4/2019
I notice that the tracks adjacent to the old station seem to be in service. Maybe in the future rail service could be offered as an alternative for those desiring to use mass transit. It’s interesting to me that so many people in the early Twentieth Century wanted to see this historic site that a station was added.
Not sure what runs there…freight maybe? Nothing passed the hour or so we were at HQ
I remember visiting that station years ago. I am glad that it is restored.
😊
Sad there was not enough interest to maintain the rail service from Philadelphia.
They would need infrastructure within the park that doesn’t exist at the moment…a shuttle
Again, I’ve been there. It’s only a 40min. drive away for me.
👍🏻
Sounds like a natural to restore the train service. –Curt
The park is spread out over a 10 mile loop, with sections of the loop going outside the park into residential area. They would need to add a shuttle to make train service effective
It’s currently a freight line, but there are discussions of potentially extending an existing commuter line from Philadelphia along this line to Pheonixville, which is just west of the park. However, their are no plans to include a commuter stop at the park.
Thanks for the clarification 😊
I love the train station, such a beautiful building. Vivienne Lingard
Thanks 😊