East Main Street in Hummelstown - Then and Now

We took a day trip to visit Hummelstown in Pennsylvania. It's a small, old town that sits between Harrisburg and Hershey, off route 322. Main street runs through the center of town and the Hummelstown square. You'll find several businesses on Main Street and the square that offer shopping and dining experiences.

While visiting we took the time to learn a little bit about the history of East Main Street. Here's some information taken from the historical markers on the Hummelstown Square. This is just "partial information" you can visit and read all of it while you're there.

Hummel Property was located at 13-15 East Main Street and was the original home of Joseph Hummel and Elizabeth Leebrich, both from Hummelstown. Joseph was the grandson of the founder Frederick Hummel. They moved into the house in 1817, just after their marriage. This property is one of the finest examples of 19th century stone architecture in Hummelstown.

Bowser Property was located at 2 East Main Street on the Square. This is the noted birthplace of Elizabeth Leebrich, wife of Joseph Hummel. It was later used as an inn, cabinet shop and has been the home of Bowser's furniture and funeral home since 1934. 

Hauer's Department Store was located at 9 East Main Street and was an original one-story store was built in the late 1890's. It served as a combination home and department store for the owner and his family. Hauer's closed for business in 1972 after a long presence in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.

Sitting between that historical marker and another one is the Hummelstown water fountain. The other memorial plaque gives you some of the history on that. 

From the founding days, Hummelstown's Square has been the center of business and social activities. The fountain in the center of the Square came into existence as a memorial to honor Henry Hershey and Nancy Landis Hershey. It was erected in 1910 by their son, Henry Landis Hershey.

Sarah Sinfield Civil War Nurse Historical House and Marker

Sarah Sinfield was Civil War Nurse who lived in Dunkirk, New York, along the shores of Lake Erie. Her husband William was a veteran of the Civil War and an assistant keeper at the Dunkirk Lighthouse from 1874 to 1885. According to the historical marker, she was awarded Pension for her devoted service. 

The historical marker and house sits on the Dunkirk Lighthouse property. You can see the house in our included photograph. It has now been turned into the Walter C. Ryan Maritime Building. 

During our visit the Maritime Building was closed, so we didn't get to in there. However, we did get to tour the lighthouse grounds, the outside exhibits and take a tour of the Dunkirk Lighthouse. You can check out my previous post on all of that. 

Since we document historical markers on the travel blog, I wanted to include the Sara Sinfield Civil War Nurse historical marker and home in our documentation. You can visit the Dunkirk Lighthouse website to learn more. 

Milton S. Hershey Water Fountain and Historical Marker Inside Hersheypark

If you've been inside Hersheypark I'm sure you've seen the famous Milton S. Hershey water fountain and historical marker. It's located near the front entrance inside the park's gates. Every time we go to Hersheypark we like to take family photos with it. Heck, we're not the only ones...thousands of people take family photos around the water fountain.

Today...I wanted to share the information that's printed on the historical marker in front of the water fountain. I'm surprised at the thousands of people who walk by it and never take a minute to read it.

Milton S. Hershey 1857-1945

Milton S. Hershey founded the world famous Hershey's Chocolate Company in 1903 and built a town around it for his employees complete with homes, schools and cultural and recreational opportunities.

In 1907, Milton S. Hershey founded Hersheypark as a picnic and pleasure ground for his workers. Over the years the park has grown into a world class theme park, proudly maintaining and honoring the vision of it's founders.

Milton and his wife Catherine founded a school for orphaned boys in 1909. Today the Milton Hershey School provides an education and a home to thousands of disadvantaged children. 

McAllister Tavern Historical Marker in Hanover, York County

How many of you just drive by or walk by the historical markers that you see while traveling without taking a look at them? We used to be guilty of that! About 12 years ago we started looking for them in our own hometown and when we travel. These historical markers contain bits and pieces of accurate historical information that you often don't find in a history book. 

While on a road trip through Hanover in York County, Pennsylvania we came across the McAllister Tavern historical marker. Here's the information.

McAllister Tavern

Here, along the Monocacy Road, Richard McAllister erected a two-story log building and opened a store and tavern. In 1755, Benjamin Franklin was a guest at the Tavern. Old building was razed in 1950. 

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

You'll find it located on Baltimore Street in Hanover, York County. You can easily pull over along the side street. Park and get out to photograph it for your waymarking records. While you're here...check out all of the Pennsylvania Historical Markers that we've documented so far.

Wildwood Catholic Academy Historical Marker

For the past 12 years we've been documenting the historical markers that we come across during our road trips across America. Millions of people pass by them every day and don't give them a second look. We're here to change that. These historical markers contain information about the local area and are a great learning experience. Especially if you're into our country's history.

While on vacation in North Wildwood, New Jersey we stumbled upon a new historical marker that was recently put in by the city of North Wildwood to mark the history of the Wildwood Catholic Academy. Here's the information.

City of North Wildwood 1917-Present

Wildwood Catholic Academy

Ground was broken on August 18th, 1947 for the county's only Catholic high school, originally to be called St. Ann's High School. Bishopb Eustace and Monsignor Quinlan blessed the cornstone on July 11, 1948. Students entered Wildwood Catholic High School that fall. Additions were dedicated in 1959 and 1999. Cape Trinity Catholic School began sharing space in the building in 2010, and in 2020 the High School and Cape Trinity combined to form Wildwood Catholic Academy. 

You can check out the Historical Markers Historical Markers section on our travel blog to see more markers that we've located during our travels. There are several of them located on the Wildwood island.

Heintzelman House Historical Marker in Manheim

Over the past 15 years we've been documenting all of the historical markers that we come upon across the great state of Pennsylvania. In case you didn't know...there's an official Pennsylvania historical marker trail that you can follow. Millions of people pass by these markers every day and never give them a second thought. We're trying to change that! 

These markers contain important historical information related to that specific area, a person who lived in that area at one particular time, a battle that may have taken place there, pertain to an old business and all sorts of other things. Today's marker is located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

You'll find it located in Manheim, Lancaster County at the intersection of South Main Street and Logan Avenue. 

Heintzelman House

Birthplace of Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman, September 30, 1805. A veteran of the Mexican War and the Civil War, he died May 1, 1880, at Washington D. C. and was buried at Buffalo, N. Y. 

Erected in 1962 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Maj. General Samuel P. Heintzelman was an 1826 graduate of West Point and was a veteran of 2 wars: the Mexican War and the Civil War. He had a lengthy career in the military. 

Check out all of the Pennsylvania Historical Markers that we've documented here on the Pennsylvania Travel Blog. You'll always learn something new when you take the time to read them!

The Historic Williams Grove Carousel House in Cumberland County

The historic Williams Grove Carousel House is still located on the now defunct property of the Williams Grove Amusement Park located in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. As a small child...I remember many visits to the amusement park during the summertime seasons. It was one of my favorite amusement parks from my childhood. For local families...it was affordable compared to others located throughout the state.

Below you'll find some of the history of the Williamns Grove Carousel House taken from the historical marker located nearby. Here's the information. 

In 1850, the Williams family began hosting picnics on their farm along the Yellow Breeches. This along with the completion of the Dillsburg & Mechanicsburg Railroad in 1872 led to the Grangers Fair taking place yearly on the property. During World War 1 the property was sold to Charles Markley in 1918. Unable to revive the operations of the Williams Grove Picnics, it was sold to the Richwine Family in 1924. The Richwines converted the land into the Williams Grove Amusement Park. In 1928 the Carousel House was built for the carousel the family acquired. The Richwine family is of great significance to WGHSEA as they allowed our organization to use what are now the Association's grounds from the late 1950s until 1971 when the park was purchased by Morgan Hughes. Mr. Hughes allowed WGHSEA to continue to use the land. In 2006 Mr. Hughes announced the closure of the park. The opportunity to purchase our 90 acres from Mr. Hughes came in January 2007, 1 year prior to his passing.

Despite the park closing in 2005, the many floods that have ravaged the park through the years, the Carousel House has stood tall and virtually untouched for the better part of 100 years. Williams Grove Speedway, Inc. donated this magnificent structure to our organization for preservation. 

Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation. This project was financed with a grant from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority. 

Note: You can double-click on each image to have it open-up in a new browsing window and in an enlarged size. This will allow you to see all of the smaller details while keeping our travel blog mobile-reader friendly. Thank you!

Baron Stiegel Famed Glassmaker Historical Marker

Over the past 15 years we've been documenting all of the historical markers that we come upon across the great state of Pennsylvania. In case you didn't know...there's an official Pennsylvania historical marker trail that you can follow. Millions of people pass by these markers every day and never give them a second thought. We're trying to change that! 

These markers contain important historical information related to that specific area, a person who lived in that area at one particular time, a battle that may have taken place there, pertain to an old business and all sorts of other things. Today's marker is located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

You'll find the Baron Stiegel historical marker located on N. Main Street in Manheim. It's in the park at the town square. You can find several places to park to get out and photograph it for your waymarking records.

Baron Stiegel

The famed glassmaker and ironmaster of colonial days founded Manheim in 1762, and set up his glassworks in 1764. He gave land for the Lutheran Church which still pays his heirs one red rose a year.

Erected in 1947 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

You can check out all of the Pennsylvania Historical Markers that we've documented so far on the Pennsylvania Travel Blog by visiting that section on our website.

Visiting Fisher Veterans' Memorial Park in Lebanon

Fisher Veterans' Memorial Park is located at 521 South 9th Street in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. This park is free to visit and is open to the public from dawn to dusk. Throughout the park you'll find several very nice veteran's memorials honoring our heroes who fought in various wars. This park hosts patriotic events throughout the year.

The park is relatively small in size compared to other parks. At the southern end of the park you'll find a large M-60 military tank. As you walk through the park you'll see various war memorials honorning the men and women who fought in the Korean War, Gulf War, the Spanish War, Vietnam War, etc. The park was established to honor the men who fought and died in these wars from Lebanon County. 

Park is well-maintained with walking paths and is situated on 1.2 acres. One of the most famous statues in the park is called the "Hiker" who honors veterans from 3 turn of the century conflicts such as the Spanish-American War. It was dedicated on September 7th, 1940.  (see the photos below).

One of the things I really liked about visiting the park is how peaceful the park is. There's several park benches along the walking paths and near various memorials that you can sit down on. It's nice to just sit and reflect on what America means to you. Freedom is not free! Men and women give up their lives for this country!!! 

If you're going to be in Lebanon and want to honor some of our veterans....stop by Fisher Veterans' Memorial Park to pay your respects. If you're interested in attending any of the patriotic events that are hosted there...contact the city or Lebanon County to request a schedule of upcoming events.

The Gettysburg Address Historical Marker

Last month we were down in Gettysburg and stumbled upon the Gettysburg Address Historical Marker located along Taneytown Road....right at the edge of Soldiers National Cemetery. There's a parking lot across the road that you can park in...then walk across the street to get to it. It's a few hundred yards from Lincoln's official Gettysburg Address Memorial. 

Gettysburg Address

Nearby, Nov. 19, 1863, in dedicating the National Cemetery, Abraham Lincoln gave the address which he had written in Washington and revised after his arrival in Gettysburg the evening of November 18.

You can then enter into Soldiers National Cemetery through the open gates. Take the paved pathway a few feet and on your right you'll see the official Abraham Lincoln Gettysburg Address Memorial. You'll find another historical marker along with the memorial. Tourists enjoy visiting this specific spot and taking their photographs alongside the memorial. 

If you're following the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Trail through Adams County....you'll find a ton of them located in Gettysburg. It would take you at least a day or two to see them all. The Gettysburg Address is one of the most important ones to see.

First Pinchot Road Historical Marker in York County

Over the past 15 years we've been documenting all of the historical markers that we come upon across the great state of Pennsylvania. In case you didn't know...there's an official Pennsylvania historical marker trail that you can follow. Millions of people pass by these markers every day and never give them a second thought. We're trying to change that!

These markers contain important historical information related to that specific area, a person who lived in that area at one particular time, a battle that may have taken place there, pertain to an old business and all sorts of other things. Today's marker is located in York County, Pennsylvania.

First Pinchot Road

To "get the farmer out of the mud" was the road from here to Rossville. Gov. Gifford Pinchot broke ground here, July 23rd, 1931, to inaugurate the rural road improvement program of the Pennsylvania Department of Highways under the Act of June 22, 1931.

-- Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

You'll find it located Rosstown Road in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania (York County). You can pull off to the side of the road to photograph it for your Waymarking records.

If you're interested in following the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Trail and looking to see other markers that we've found and documented you can check out THIS SECTION on our travel blog.

Edward Abbey Historical Marker in Indiana County

Over the past 11 years we've been following the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Trail all through our great state and documenting them here on the blog. Millions of people walk or drive by these markers every year and never give them a second thought. They're a great source of historic information and we're trying to bring some much needed attention to them.

While following the trail through Indiana County in Pennsylvania, we stumbled upon the Edward Abbey historical marker. Here's the information on it.

Edward Abbey

Author and defender of wilderness, most famous for his two books Desert Solitaire and The Monkey Wrench Gang. Born in Indiana, PA. in 1927, Abbey grew up in and around the village of Home. Although he moved to the Western U.S. in 1948, books such as Appalachian Wilderness, The Journey Home, and The Fool's Progress describe his native county where he learned to love nature. Abbey died in Tucson, Arizona in 1989. 

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

You'll find the historical marker located on Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway near Home, Pennsylvania. It's south of Washington Church Road on the right when traveling north. You can pull off to the side of the road to photograph it for your waymarking records. 

Check out all of the Pennsylvania Historical Markers that we've been documenting over the past 12 years right here on the PA Travel Blog.

Forbes Road Edmund's Swamp Historical Marker in Somerset County

Over the past 11 years we've been following the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Trail all through our great state and documenting them here on the blog. Millions of people walk or drive by these markers every year and never give them a second thought. They're a great source of historic information and we're trying to bring some much needed attention to them.

While on the Pennsylvania Historical Marker trail we came upon the Forbes Road Edmund's Swamp marker located in Somerset County, Buckstown in Pennsylvania. You'll find it located on U.S. Route 30. You can pull off to the side of the road and photograph it for your waymarking records.

Forbes Road Edmund's Swamp

Named for Edmund Cartlidge, Indian trader. A camp located here, on the Raystown Path, provided good grass for the horses of General Forbes' army in 1758. The site of the redoubt is marked two and a half miles north of here. 

2005 Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

You will find at least 8 other historical markers within a 20 mile radius from this one. You can check out all of the historical markers in Pennsylvania that we've been documenting on the blog. Take the time to read them when traveling...they contain great historical information that you don't get from a basic history text book.

Reformed Presbyterian Church Historical Marker

Over the past 12 years we've been documenting the historical markers that we come across while traveling across the state of Pennsylvania. Millions of people walk by or drive by them every year and don't give them a second thought. Heck, most people don't even notice them. We're here to change that!

The historical markers contain important history about the local area and/or the people that lived in that area. Often times it's not the type of history you find printed in school history books! While on the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Trail we discovered the Reformed Presbyterian Church historical marker. 

Here's the information:

Reformed Presbyterian Church 
(Paxtang)

In 1721, near this site, America's First Reformed Presbyterian Church was organized of believers who had suffered in Scotland and Ireland "for Christ's crown and covenant."

Also, the first presbytery of the Church was formed here in 1774. 

200 Years later at Paxtang, reformed presbyterians gathered to reaffirm his kingship.

You can easily photograph this historical marker as it's located in a cemetery. Plenty of room to pull over, park and to get out to photograph it for your waymarking records.

Highest Point on Interstate 80 East of the Mississippi

 If you're going to be traveling on Insterstate 80 through Clearfield County in Penfield, Pennsylvania you'll want to keep your eye out for the following sign. It's easy to miss unless you're paying attention, know the area and are looking for it.  It's located right on I-80 and says the following:

Highest Point on Interstate 80 East of the Mississippi, Elevation 2250 ft. 

Each side of the interestate has one of these signs. However, you'll need to carefully pull off to the side of the road to get out to photograph it. At times...traffic can be congested and heavy in this area, so please be careful if you plan on stopping to photograph it. 

We got a quick photograph of it on the day we were traveling through the area. Luckily...we were there at the right time and traffic wasn't too heavy. Finally, a photograph for our waymarking records. The photo isn't the best as it had just started to rain...however, the wordage is clear!

Malcolm Cowley Historical Marker in Cambria County

Over the past 12 years we've been following the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Trail all through our great state and documenting them here on the blog. Millions of people walk or drive by these markers every year and never give them a second thought. They're a great source of historic information and we're trying to bring some much needed attention to them.

While following the historical marker trail through Cambria County we came upon the Malcom Cowley historical marker. Here's what it says. 

Malcolm Cowley

Born here in 1898, Cowley became an influential literary critic, editor, poet, and historian after World War I. He chronicles the "Lost Generation" in Exile's Return, his most famous work. Blue Juanita, a book of verse, celebrates this region. He was Chancellor of the American Academy of Arts & Letters, 1966-1976. He died in Sherman, Conn. in 1989.

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

You'll find it located on Benjamin Franklin Highway US Route 422 on the right when traveling west. It's near Belsano in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. You can pull off on the side of the road to photograph it for your waymarking records. You can find hundreds of Pennsylvania Historical Markers documented on our travel blog. 

The Historic Elk County Courthouse in Ridgway

The hisotric Elk County Courthouse is located in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. You'll find it at the intersection of Main and Broad Streets. There's a historical marker on the property that gives you all of the past history and information regarding the courthouse. Here's some of that information.

In the early 1800s, ancient forests stretched unbroken across northwestern Pennsylvania. Jacob Ridgway of Philadelphia, one of the richest men in the United States, saw opportunity in the region's massive trees and clear-flowing rivers and purchased 100,000 acres of this land, newly deeded to the U.S. government by the Six Nations Indian tribes. In 1822, his land agent, James Gillis, founded Ridgway at the Montmorency Farm Site six and one-half miles from the present town site. Because Montmorency lacked adequate streams to operate mills and float goods to market, Gillis shifted the town of Ridgway to this river valley. 

When Elk County was established in 1843, towns vied for the honor of becoming the county seat. Ridgway prevailed and, in 1845, constructed a wooden courthouse on this site. By 1879, Elk County had outgrown the wooden courthouse and sold it at public auction to Hugh McGeehan for $135. 

A few months later, the cornerstone of the new courthouse was laid with great ceremony. Town fathers placed within it a copper box containing period newspapers, coins, and a poem commemorating the day. In 1880, the courthouse was completed, built of native sandstone and brick and roofed with tin and slate. The original half-ton steel bell still hangs in the bell tower.

On the property you'll find various historical markers for Elk County and the Elk County Courthouse. The town clock is also located here. On the day that we visited the courthouse was undergoing major construction. They had the property roped off, so we couldn't get any closer than standing on the sidewalk. You'll need to park down one of the side streets and walk up to visit it.

I'm hoping that the next time we're in the area we can get close and walk through their gorgeous landscaped grounds. 

Elk County Historical Marker in Ridgway

Over the past 12 years we've been following the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Trail all through our great state and documenting them here on the blog. Millions of people walk or drive by these markers every year and never give them a second thought. They're a great source of historic information and we're trying to bring some much needed attention to them.

While on a road trip through the northern and western part of Pennsylvania we came across the ELK COUNTY historical marker. Here's what it says.

ELK COUNTY

Formed April 18, 1843 from parts of McKean, Clearfield and Jefferson counties. Named for the large elk herd that roamed the area. First State Game Lands established in Pennsylvania, in 1920, are here. The county seat, Ridgway, was settled in 1824. 

Location: You'll find this historical marker at the intersection of Main Street and Broad Street in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. The intersection can be very busy at times, so pull down a side street to park. Then walk up to the marker to photograph it for your waymarking records. You'll find 8 other historical markers nearby.

You can take a look at all of the historical markers we've documented on our travel blog by checking out that specific section as well as the ones on our Pinterest board.

B-26 Plane Crash Blue Mountain Memorial in Brightbill Park

Heroes Grove is part of Brightbill Park in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It's one of many beautiful parks that you'll find in Dauphin County. Within Brightbill Park you'll find ball fields, tennis courts, walking trails, the Heroes Grove Amphitheater, and more!

What some people don't know is that Heroes Grove is home to the B-26 Plane Crash on Blue Mountain Memorial. You'll find it near the amphitheater and concession building. We never knew it was there until we attending a concert last summer. 

The memorial plaque gives you all kinds of information about the B-26 Plane Crash that occurred on April 22nd, 1951 along with the 2 heroes who died. They were stationed out of Ohio. The plaque includes information about each of the 2 servicemen along with the crash information. 

If you're a history or military buff....you'll want to check it out. We never knew this memorial was there or anything about the crash and we've lived in the area for 35+ years! Always nice to stumble upon something new. 

Guided Tours of the Historic Dills Tavern in Dillsburg

 The historic Dills Tavern is located in northern York County in the town of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. It's no longer operating as a tavern but you can visit the hisotric building and take a guided tour. You can find tour information HERE. Tours are offered by appointment April through November. 

On the property you'll find the 200+ year old stone building (the Tavern) and several out buildings. It was built in 1794 by John Dill, the grandson of Matthew Dill. You can read a little bit of the history on the website or look for the historical marker located on the site. 

Property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by The United States Department of the Interior. The property was acquired for the Dillsburg community by a gift from Charles T. and Lucille C. Vogelsong August 2nd, 2001 to preserve the historic building for future generations. It's managed by the Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society.

We visited the property and just walked around checking it out. We plan on returning this summer to take a guided tour. In the meantime, we wanted to share a few photographs that we took during our brief visit.