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'The Gateway' Celebrates 60 Years
One of the oldest stretches of "modern" highway in the nation is the legendary Pennsylvania Turnpike. That makes Gateway Travel Plaza TA in Breezewood, Pa., one of the oldest truckstops in the U.S., because it opened shortly after the Turnpike was officially completed in 1941.
You can get a glimpse of what truckstops were like then by visiting the "company history" page on its web site, http://www.gatewaytravelplaza.com.
"The Gateway Inn was one of the first businesses to open shortly after the first cars and trucks began traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Carlisle and Irwin in 1941," according to the official history. "The restaurant and service station were owned and operated until 1956 by Merle and Marion Snyder.
"During World War II, 'The Gateway,' as it was known, was a major stop-off point for many servicemen and women on the way to Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas and states to the west.
"The Snyders were known to have traded meals, gasoline and rest in the second-floor 'bunkhouse' for a Military Service Insignia Patch. The Snyders' service insignia collection is preserved and on display today in the restaurant. In 1956, the operation was taken over by Merle and Marion's nephew Frank Bittner and his wife Alice."
Frank and Alice Bittner are now semi-retired and their four sons divide operations: John, who is general manager; James, who handles fuel, the restaurant and construction projects; David, who oversees maintenance; and Bob, who runs sales, marketing and retail functions.
The Gateway sits on about 30 acres of land at Exit 12 at the busy junction of Interstates 76 and 70. Thus, it sees heavy commercial and tourist traffic to and from Washington, Baltimore and the Southeast, Bob Bittner says. The services available reflect that diverse mix of customers.
The main building erected in 1994 contains The Gateway Restaurant, which serves an ever-changing array of home-style meals and features a big salad bar instead of the usual steam-table buffet. The menu is posted on the web site every week. The food court hosts a Subway, Dairy Queen and Little Caesar's.
There are three retail stores in the main building - a convenience store, a gift shop packed with collectibles like Beanie Babies, and a trucker's gear store.
The video arcade features some of the latest games available, Bob says, and the TV lounge has a big-screen set and theater seating. There are even conference rooms available for local or business travelers.
In the early days, "The Gateway" was a solitary haven for travelers. Today, as it marks its 60th birthday, it rubs shoulders with other truckstops, restaurants, fast-food outlets and gas stations and is part of the TravelCenters of America network.
But, says Bob Bittner, the tradition of giving weary travelers a place to rest and refresh themselves lives on at The Gateway.
Where:
Gateway Travel
Plaza, Breezewood, Pa.
PA Tpike Exit 12 & U.S. 30,
I-76/I-70
Phone: (814) 735-2011
Fax: (814) 735-4899
Parking: 200 spaces
Services:
- 14 Pronto Pay Pumps
- 16 Showers
- Full-service 260-seat
Gateway Restaurant
- Subway, Dairy Queen,
Little Caesar's
- Econolodge Motel
- Emergency Road Service
- 3-bay full-service
(24x7) Shop
- Drivers' Lounge
- Phone room
- Laundromat
- Video Arcade
- C-store
- Truckers' Store
- Gift Shop
- Cat Scale
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