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Bill Symons PA Turnpike Postcard Collection - Part 3

One of the features I never got around to on the old gribblenation website was the collection of postcards that Bill Symons sent along.  He had sent over nearly 80 vintage postcards of the grandfather highway.  I am finally getting to them now and will add them over in a series of four posts.  This is the third set of postcards.  I will caption where I can.


Judging from the median, this image should be of the Sideling Hill Bypass




The Delaware River Bridge well before its troubles started.



Example of a button copy Big Green Sign style speed limit sign here.

The 13 mile straight away

Only postcard I've ever seen of Breezewood that isn't of or about Breezewood.



The famous 'Caution Curves' signs that were found throughout the turnpike.


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