One of the best examples of a small town keeping history alive on US Route 6 is Wellsboro.
Wellsboro: Keeping History Alive on US Route 6
What makes Wellsboro special is its commitment to preserving the character of a classic American small town:
- Historic gas lamps still line the median of Main Street, creating a streetscape that looks much as it did decades ago.
- The downtown historic district contains hundreds of preserved historic buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- The historic Penn Wells Hotel has welcomed travelers since the early days of automobile tourism on US Route 6.
- Community events such as the Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival celebrate local heritage and attract visitors from across the region.
- Wellsboro serves as a gateway to the famous Pine Creek Gorge, helping connect natural and cultural history along US Route 6.
For travelers exploring US Route 6, Wellsboro offers something increasingly rare: a downtown where historic preservation is not just a museum exhibit but part of everyday life. The town demonstrates how a community of fewer than 4,000 residents can protect its heritage while remaining a vibrant destination.
Other small US Route 6 towns doing excellent preservation work include:
Among them, Wellsboro is often considered one of the most complete and best-preserved historic downtowns on the entire US Route 6 corridor.
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