Orrville Signal Tower

Mike Spinelli photo

The Orrville signal Tower controlled train movements along the city's two P.R.R. mainline, and the busy train yard, The Pennsy had hundreds of towers like the one preserved in Orrville along it's mainlines to control the movement of trains. Now they are all but gone, replaced by the two-way radio and fax machines.

Orrville's tower is one of very few to be preserved. After the Pennsylvania Railroad became part of Penn Central and later Conrail, the lines through Orrville were downgraded and many of their trains moved to other routes. The railroad was demolishing the towers and the ORHC stepped in and saved the Orrville tower. It was moved across the tracks to the ORHC's property, next to it's Union Station.

The tower has not yet been restored, and is used primarily for storage. But tours are available upon request.