What are the most unknown, strange, and interesting things about this place we call home? There may be more than you think. Pennsylvania is definitely weirder than it appears, but we can all probably agree that’s what makes it so special. Here are 10 amazing secrets from Pennsylvania you might not know about – yet.

1. The Linesville Spillway
Dan Buczynski/ Flickr
The Linesville Spillway, at the Pymatuning Reservoir, is one of the strangest places in the entire state. Throw bread into the water and watch the densely packed carp fight to gobble it up. It's known as the place where the ducks walk on fish. Learn more on the official website of the Linesville Spillway.
2. The S.S. United States in Philadelphia
Michael Delli Carpini/ Flickr
In 1952, the S.S. United States broke the transatlantic speed record using only two-thirds of its power. Today, the largest and fastest passenger ship ever built in the U.S. is docked, unused, at Pier 82 in Philadelphia. Access to the ship is restricted— only certain media members and people involved in the organization responsible for the ship's upkeep may visit. Head over to the official website of the SS United States Conservancy to learn about plans to help restore the ship.
3. The Abandoned Williams Grove Amusement Park
dfirecop/ Flickr
Williams Grove Amusement Park, located near Mechanicsburg, was once a popular spot for families and friends who enjoyed roller coasters and other amusement park activities. In 2005, it was shut down and has stood in decay since; trespassing upon the grounds is strictly forbidden, and the remains of its structures are seen by few.
4. The Toynbee Tiles
Kevin Riley/ Flickr
The Toynbee Tiles, as they are known because that's what most of them cryptically say, began appearing on Philadelphia streets during the 1980s. Since then, they have continued to appear, bearing repetitive and mysterious messages, on streets throughout the Western Hemisphere; however, they are most densely concentrated in Philadelphia.

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5. The Alvira Bunkers
Wikimedia Commons
The U.S. government cleared the village of Alvira in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942 in order to build bomb shelters. Today, the shelters still stand: over 100 igloo-like structures are completely unmaintained. Some of them are open, and you can find piles of supplies still sitting inside.
6. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Laurel Hill Tunnel
SometimesInteresting/ YouTube
In 1968, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission altered the route of the Turnpike, bypassing three tunnels; two of them stand abandoned, while one of them inherited a much more intriguing fate. The Laurel Hill Tunnel was later used to test race cars.
7. The Coudersport Ice Mine
Coudersport Ice Mine/ Facebook
See all that ice? This picture was taken in the summer. Due to unusual geologic features that cause freezing air to circulate through the mine during the warm months, the Coudersport Ice Mine produces ice throughout the spring and summer. Head over to the official Facebook page of Coudersport Ice Mine for more information.
8. The Raven Rock Mountain Complex
About Camp David/ YouTube
This massive underground government/military complex was built during the Cold War to serve as a "second Pentagon" in case of nuclear attack on the United States. For years, its location along the Pennsylvania/Maryland border was kept confidential; today, its location is public knowledge, yet not many people know that this major complex exists here.
9. The real-life Silence of the Lambs house in Perryopolis
Vuz TV/ YouTube
The house that served as the set for serial killer Buffalo Bill's home in the 1991 classic, "The Silence of the Lambs" is located in Pennsylvania— not only that, but it's been on the market several times over the last few years.

10. Finally, this 100 year-old Pennsylvania woman holds the secret to longevity..


And it may not be what you expected to hear. Only in Pennsylvania, right?

Did you already know about these secrets from Pennsylvania? What else would you add? Let us know in the comments! Here are seven more secrets from Pennsylvania you’ll definitely want to uncover.

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secrets from Pennsylvania

Beth Price-Williams | November 08, 2020

What is Pennsylvania known for?

Those of us who live in PA know that it’s a pretty amazing place. Those who don’t live here, however, might not realize some of the most unique things about Pennsylvania. Most states are known by their full name – Ohio, Michigan, and Florida, for example. Pennsylvania? Nope. We simply refer to it as PA. PA’s the Snack Capital of the World and the Mushroom Capital of World. Pennsylvanians also have their own allegiances – to either Wawa or Sheetz and to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia sports teams. We also drop some pretty unique things on New Year’s Eve – a mushroom, a massive Hershey kiss, and even a wrench.

What are people from Pennsylvania known for?

Pennsylvania is known for plenty of things. In fact, you might call us the state of firsts. Brush up on your Pennsylvania trivia, because you never know when it might come in handy. Did you know, for example, that the United States’ first zoo was right here in PA and it’s still going strong today? Yep, the Philadelphia Zoo opened in 1874. Philadelphia’s also home to the country’s first department store: Wanamaker’s. The PA Turnpike, which opened in 1795, was also the first long-distance paved road in the U.S. If you live in PA, you’ve probably driven on it countless times.

Is Pennsylvania a great place to live?

Between the people, the food, and all of the interesting places in Pennsylvania, PA is most definitely a great place to live. If you’re ever in mood to seek out the quirky and the unique, for example, make your way to Kecksburg, where you can get a glimpse of the Kecksburg UFO. Well, it looks more like an acorn and is a replica of a spaceship that supposedly landed in the town decades ago. If you’re a fan of unusual and beautiful art, check out The Magic Gardens in Philadelphia. You can’t deny that Pennsylvania’s a great place to live, either, when we have such colorful destinations as Randyland, arguably the most artistic house in Pittsburgh.

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Featured Addresses
Linesville Spillway, 12318 Hartstown Rd, Linesville, PA 16424, USA
Pier 82, Philadelphia, PA 19148, USA
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, USA
Philadelphia, PA, USA
1884-2198 Alvira Rd, Allenwood, PA 17810, USA
Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, Abandoned Pennsylvania Tpke, Breezewood, PA 15533, USA
Coudersport Ice Mine, 176 Ice Mine Rd, Coudersport, PA 16915, USA
Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214, USA
Perryopolis, PA 15473, USA