This sign inside 30th Street Station directs travelers to a street that doesn’t exist

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For years, signs inside 30th Street Station have directed travelers to a street that doesn’t exist outside.

Inside the station, signs above the doors on the east side of the building say 29th Street — but it’s not 29th Street outside. It’s Schuylkill Avenue, and has been for nearly 70 years.

“Inside the station, it says 29th Street, and I actually had to come out of the building to figure out that that’s not what it says outside,” said confounded traveler Emily Finch, of Baltimore.

According to Amtrak, when 30th Street Station opened in 1933, the east side of the building was occupied by railroad infrastructure and rail yards, not the Schuylkill Avenue that we know today.

That side became known as the 29th Street side, presumably to simplify that it was east of the 30th Street side. For years, “29th Street” has remained part of the station’s wayfinding.

Finch’s navigation on her phone told her she was standing on Schuylkill Avenue. “When you look at your map, it doesn’t say 29th Street on your phone map. So maybe a sign inside would be helpful,” she suggested.

Is a correction on the way? Without being specific, Amtrak only said that it “will continue to enhance the customer experience, including station wayfinding and signage,” as part of its ongoing redevelopment of the station.