​10 East Church Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Hoover-Mason Trestle
Once a railway that carried fuel and raw materials from the ore yards to the blast furnaces, the Hoover-Mason Trestle has been converted to a public linear park which provides a unique view into the history of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation plant. The trestle is 46 feet tall and nearly 2000 feel long. It is accessible by all via elevator and stairs at the entrance near the Bethlehem Landing Visitor Center. Two additional sets of stairs provide additional accessibility locations along the route.
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Both guided and self-guided tours are available at the site. For those interested in taking a guided tour, the Visitor Center will be able to organize that for you with the help of one of their many tour guides. Self-guided tours can be as comprehensive as one desires from reading the many signs along the trestle describing the history, conditions, and structures made from Bethlehem Steel. If a more comprehensive tour is desired, guests can use their cell phones to connect to a self-guided tour app where additional information, not found on the site signs, is shared.
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Along the Hoover-Mason Trestle, visitors will experience views of the five remaining blast furnaces from the Bethlehem Steel production days, with the one closest to the Levitt Pavilion being the oldest. For the years of operation, only workers at Bethlehem Steel could have a view of these blast furnaces so close, but now, thanks to the trestle, we all can appreciate their size and see glimpses of the structures involved in the inter-workings of creating steel at this Bethlehem Steel plant.
Visitors also will have a unique view into the Gas Blowing Engine House where blowing engines that produced wind for furnace ovens can be seen. Transfer cars still remain on the original trestle railway. At the end of the trestle, the Number 2 Machine Shop can be found. This was one of the largest industrial buildings in the world at its length of nearly one-third mile.
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While enjoying the views from the Hoover-Mason Trestle, be sure to notice the landscaping. All the plantings are natural plants to the site. Even among the industrial structures, new plant life can be found.
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Photo Credit: H. Bambu-Weiss
Photo Credit: H. Bambu-Weiss
Photo Credit: H. Bambu-Weiss
Photo Credit: H. Bambu-Weiss
American Alliance of Museum MUSE Award Bronze Award, Mobile Applications
Hoover-Mason Trestle Awards Received
2017
American Alliance of Museum MUSE Award Bronze Award, Mobile Applications
MUSE awards recognize outstanding achievement in Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) media. The international Alliance Media & Technology Professional Network's annual awards are presented to institutions or independent Producers who use digital media to enhance the GLAM experience and engage audiences. The MUSE awards celebrate scholarship, community, innovation, creativity, education and inclusiveness." (from American Alliance of Museum website - www.aam-us.org)
2016
The Urban Land Institute recognize projects representing the highest standards of achievement in the development industry and advance of the ULI missing of providing leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaaining thriving commmunities worldwide. ULI Philadelphia honors projects within the region with the Annual Awards for Excellence celebrating the legacy of the late ULI Philadelphia founder and civic leader Bill Rouse. (from Urban Land Institute website - https://philadelphia,uli.org/awards/)
Urban Land Institute Philadelphia Willard G. Rouse III Award for Excellence
2016
Engineering News Record Best of the Best Landscape / Urban Development
Engineering News Record (ENR) Best Projects is a competition based on teamwork, safety, problem solving, innovation, and quality. (from ENR website - https://www.enr.com/articles/38993-best-of-the-best-projects-2015)
2016
W3 Awards Best in Show, Website Category
W3 Awards celebrate digital excellence by honoring outstanding websites, web marketing, video, mobile site / apps and social content. It is the first major website competition to be accessible to the biggest agencies, smallest firms, and all in between. (from W3 website - www.w3awards.com/awards/about)
2016
PRINT East Coast Regional Design Award
For more than 35-years, PRINT Regional Design Awards has been known as one of the most prestigious and well respected American design competitions in the industry. Through this competition, talent in the design industry is showcased and new talent can be discovered. (from PRINT Regional Design Award website - http://www.printmag.com/regional-design-awards-2016-winner-galleries/)
2016
Pixel Awards Best Responsive Design Finalist
The Pixel Awards honor website based upon their excellence in design and development. Any and all website can enter but only 24 website win annually. (from Pixar Awards website - https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/the-pixel-awards#section-recent-news-activity)
2015
Mid-Atlantic Construction Management Association of America Project of the Year Award
The Mid-Atlantic Construction Management Association of America Project of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement in the practice of construction management as well as promote professionalism and excellence in the management of the construction project. (from the CMAA website - http://www.cmaamidatlantic.org) The RDA was honored that Boyle Construction received this award for their work as construction manager of the Hoover-Mason Trestle project.
2015
AIA Philadelphia - Awards for Design Excellence - Merit Award
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) of Philadelphia Awards for Design Excellence Award - Merit Award recognizes excellence in interiors, master planning, preservation and divine detail with both built and unbuilt categories available for projects within the Philadelphia and surrounding area member firms. (from AIA Philadelphia website - https://www.aiaphiladelphia.org/news/aia-philadelphia-presents-22-awards-annual-design-excellence-celebration)
2015
AIA Pennsylvania - Architectural Excellence Design Award - Citation of Merit Award
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) of Pennsylvania provides the Architectural Excellence in Design Award to those projects across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that have shown and excellence in design and innovation, contributions to the profession of Architecture, and commitment to the quality of life built in environment. (from AIA Pennsylvania website - https://aiapa.org/what-we-do/awards/)
2015
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Award, Environmental or Revitalization Project or Initiative
The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Award, Environmental or Revitalization Project or Initiative award projects that contribute to the revitalization of older, more established communities. Projects can include redevelopment and building rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, infill development, street scape improvements, new parking facilities and other community (from LV Planning Commission website - https://www.lvpc.org/lv-awards.html)
2015
Engineering News Record Mid-Atlantic Region Best Project, Landscape / Hardscape / Urban Development
Engineering News Record (ENR) Best Projects is a competition based on teamwork, safety, problem solving, innovation, and quality. The Mid-Atlantic Region awards is provided for projects within the region of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia (from ENR Mid-Atlantic website - https://www.enr.com/midatlantic and Hoover_mason Trestle award article: https://www.enr.com/articles/38365-best-landscapeurban-development-project-hoover-mason-trestle
2015
Architizer A+ Award Finalist
The Architizer A+ Awards focus on the best of architecture and products. Their mission is to "nurture the appreciation of meaningful architecture in the world and champion those products that are integral to bringing great buildings to life." (from Architizer website - https://awards.architizer.com/about-awards/)
2014
AIA Pennsylvania Citation of Merit
The AIA Pennsylvania Citation of Merit honors "excellence in design and innovation, contributions to the profession of Architecture and commitment to the quality of life in the built environment ..." across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (from AIA webiste - https://aiapa.org/2014/12/19/2014-awards-gala-charts-record-attendance/)