Glen Rock, PA
Glen Rock is the first of NCR’s three main destinations offered. Glen Rock is know now for the fine dining of the Table 1837 Glen Rock Mill Inn, Ruins Halls or the infamous Glen Rock Carolers on Christmas Eve.
What we now know as the town of Glen Rock, was originally a farm owned by Simon Koller. Mr. Koller was not interested in the railroad running through his property, so it was sold to William Heathcote, who developed the settlement into the second most industrial city in the county. The settlement was originally called Heathcote’s Station, but when the town was incorporated in 1859, the name was finalized as Glen Rock.
Glen Rock enjoyed a period of industrial might from around 1840 to the end of World War II. After the Northern Central Railroad was constructed, Glen Rock grew from a quiet valley settlement with only a wool mill, to a large town featuring a variety of industries. A large machine shop building machining tools, railcars, and drills and an agricultural commissioning company powered Glen Rock’s economy. Various smaller mills and factories rounded out Glen Rock’s industries. The furniture business steadily grew through the turn of the century up until the late 1930’s, offering employment for the residents of Glen Rock. The opening of roads in the area, along with the decline of the railroad, led to Glen Rock’s industries faltering, as nearby Shrewsbury became the principal location for new business developments. Since then, many of the original industries have been closed and the buildings either converted for other uses or demolished. Glen Rock has become primarily an agricultural town, with most farming being done on the hills surrounding the town.
Glen Rock is located 5 miles from the main depot in New Freedom and is a 30 minute one way trip or one hour round trip. NCR has passing tracks just north of the town for runaround operations.
Excursions with the destination of Glen Rock:
- Glen Rock Express
- Glen Rock Express Aboard the Trail Sisters
- Fall Foliage Glen Rock Express
- Any Excursion that is on average a one-hour round-trip travels to the town of Glen Rock
Glen Rock, 1920 (Robert L. Williams Collection)
Glen Rock, 2021 (Photo by Greg. Pawelski)
Northern Central Railway 17 sitting in front of the Glen Rock Mill Inn. (Photo by Greg Pawelski)
This statue commemorates the Glen Rock Carolers, who have been caroling every Christmas since 1848. (Photo by Scott Butcher)
The Glen Rock Mill Inn is a restaurant and hotel located inside a converted mill that is built on the foundation of Glen Rock’s first mill. (Photo by Scott Butcher)
