• An engineer inspects the running gear of a steam locomotive at Steamtown NHS

    Steamtown

    National Historic Site Pennsylvania

Living History Program: Hobo

An historic image of a hobo walking along a road with a bed roll slung over his shoulder.
During the Great Depression, thousands of hobos wandered the country looking for work.  You can learn more about a hobo's life on this Living History Tour.
Library of Congress, FSA

Step back in time to the 1930s and find out what life was like riding the rods during the Great Depression. 

Program begins at the red sign "Living History Begins Here" just outside the main door of the Visitor Center near the CNJ crane.  Included in the Park Entrance Fee.

Possible weather warning.  This is an outdoor program.

Did You Know?

Three steam locomotives are visible in the doors of a roundhouse.

Roundhouses were essential to steam railroading. Most steam locomotives required servicing about 150 to 200 miles when they were new. Find out more about what goes on in the Roundhouse at Steamtown National Historic Site. More...