Samuel Justus Recreation Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
Connecting Oil City and Franklin, the Samuel Justus Recreational Trail is a five-mile segment of a 36-mile trail that follows what was originally the Allegheny Valley Railroad. The trail begins across the Allegheny River from Franklin and the paved surface is perfect for bicycling and inline skating. The trail parallels the river, running north toward Oil City through lush woodlands.
You may also want to visit the mansion of Senator Joseph Sibley, who made his fortune by inventing the first formula for refining crude oil (call ahead for their scheduled tours).
The Samuel Justus Trail is part of an on-going project called the Erie-Pittsburgh Trail, an effort to connect the existing trails which lie between Pittsburgh, Pa and Lake Erie.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To access the trail in Franklin, follow I-80 to Exit 29. Follow Route 8 North to Route 322. Follow 322 East / Liberty Street through Franklin. After crossing the Allegheny River on the 8th Street Bridge, park at the trailhead located on the right.
To access the trail in Oil City, follow I-80 to Exit 29. Follow Route 8 North, crossing the intersection with Route 322, and continue to follow Route 8 / Route 62 to Oil City. Cross the Allegheny River on the Petroleum Street Bridge. Continue to the second light, and head right on West 1st Street. Continue about 1.5 miles to trailhead parking on the right, just past the PENELEC building.

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Samuel Justus Trail Review
By Troy Bogdam on May 02, 2005
"On Saturday the 30th of April I biked on the Samuel Justis Trail. I actually started on the Allegheny River Trail at Belmar, and rode North towards Franklin, where the Samuel Justus Trail starts. In Franklin, it started to rain, so I pulled into a pavilion and cooked lunch and ate while the rain continued. There is a historic building here that was dated in the 1800's. I forget the date, but it is called the ""Saltbox House"" and I hear it is open on the weekends to offer information,
plus it has books and snacks for sale. It was closed this day.

Also in Franklin is a good bike shop called ""Country Peddlers."" They have a nice selection of bicycles, and other supplies. I was able to get a complete map of all the local trails here for free. I continued North on the trail. I rode past several nice places that had benches, picnic tables and port-a-johns. The view was nice as you ride along the river. There are lots of islands in the river.

There are also several working oil wells that are sometimes pumping as you go by them. There was also an interesting estate called ""River Ridge Farm"" that you pass. The estate has an interesting stone and iron gateway that you see from the trail. From what I understand this used to be the home of a local Senator who made his fortune in the oil business.

The trail ended near a sewage treatment plant, but I continued riding along the road by following the signs (PA Bicycle Route), all the way into Oil City. The bike route follows some roads, but then takes you back down to a paved trail on the railroad grade. Here there were interpretive signs discussing the oil
heritage of the region.

There were also some interesting oil relics on display. In Oil City, I found a place to refill my water bottle and use a
pay phone (There is no water along the trail). Then I turned around and biked back to one of the campsites, where I set up camp for the night.

Sunday May 1st, I broke camp and biked back down the trail from where I came yesterday, back along the Allegheny River Trail."
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