Route 6 Heritage Community Program

On January 15, 2005 Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell designated a 400-mile corridor stretching through 11 northern counties as the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Corridor.  The area designated became the state’s 12th heritage part district.  The governor encourages state residents and visitors to travel along what National Geographic has called “one of America’s most scenic drives.”
According to Governor Rendell, “The 400-mile-long corridor showcases many of the state’s historic treasures, recreational opportunities and scenic vistas.”

Former Connecticut report, Joe Hurley, walked across the length of Route 6 from Providencetown, Cap Cod, Massachusetts to Long Beach, California.  He kept a journal of his experiences along the way.  He wrote, “I’ll tell you this ... Pennsylvanians are the friendliest people I’ve met so far.  Quite a few have stopped to say hello or offer me water.  I’ve been impressed with their pleasantness.”

To promote tourism across Route 6, the Route 6 Heritage Community Program was founded.  Four grants totaling $185,000 were provided by the state to help enhance the area’s tourism potential and better promote is wealth of historic, natural and recreational resources.  The friendliness that Joe Hurley writes about is the most important resource.

Smethport was chosen as the pilot for the Route 6 Heritage Community Program.  Corry and Union City were chosen as the 2nd Heritage Community in the Program; the first in Erie County; and the 1st multi-community in the state.  The kick off ceremony was held in July 2005 at the drive-in theater on Route 6 in Elgin, which is half-way between Corry and Union City.

The Heritage Community Program assists Route 6 towns to develop a Heritage Tourism Work Plan by identifying heritage tourist sites, resources and themes; by developing a way to enhance and refine these resources; and by creating a plan to sustain the local heritage tourism while enhancing the local economy.  The program is funded by a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) with the assistance of the Center for Rural PA. 

The Route 6 Heritage Community Stakeholders Committee is parented by Corry Community Development Corporation in Corry and the Union City Chamber of Commerce in Union City.  As of September 2006 we are getting close to finalizing the work plan and will publish our findings here when that happens.

Related links:
                    
www.paroute6.com  -  PA Route 6 Tourist Association
www.route6walk.com - Joe Hurley’s Walk Across Route 6 website