Still a Log Home

This article was in The Patriot News, August 26, 1990. Thanks for sharing Ron Stine.

Bear-ly Survived

Thanks for sharing, Jay Megonnell

            Clipped from Harrisburg Telegraph, 16 December 1910, Page 1

Mixell Restaurant, Linglestown

Thank you Laura Gifford for sharing this article

This article was in the Harrisburg Telegraph, November 2, 1918, page 2

Postcard picture of the restaurant and poolroom mentioned in the article above. The name is misspelled on the picture. The photo says that it is Pillville , Linglestown. Pillville was Larue street. It is believed that Mixell Restaurant was located on North Mountain Road at the end of Larue Street. If you know of the exact location, please let us know, linglestown250@yahoo.com.

January 20, 1937, Evening News

The sign mentioned in the article is still on the building today. (Linglestown Fire Station)

Great Damage in Linglestown - Hbg. Telegraph, Wed. Sept. 30, 1896

This is just the Linglestown section-the whole article took up the entire front page.

Thank you Laura Gifford for sending this article.

History of Linglestown Fire Company - Part 3

The following post is from The 25th Anniversary of Linglestown Fire Company commemorative book. The anniversary was celebrated in June 1959.

The older firemen often relate the incident of the fire at the Regal Farm, located at the intersection of Route 39 and the road to Piketown at Beaver Creek, when the chicken house and later the house caught fire.  This fire occurred sometime after the Model T Pumper had been purchased, and the Linglestown Fire Company was still an unrecognized fire company.  However, the location of the fire unknown to the people of Linglestown, fire companies from Harrisburg. Penbrook and Progress came through the town blowing sirens and heading to the fire. The local firemen could not understand why their company was not called and they waited hoping someone would put a call through for them to respond to the fire. After about one half hour the fellows agreed they would go and see if they could be of any help.

When the Linglestown Fire Company arrived at the fire, the chicken house was already burned down and the house had caught fire.  Having some experience of pumping from streams, the Linglestown boys pulled up on the bridge, dropped the suction hose in the creek, connected up the 2 1/2" hose and started towards the house. As our boys started spraying water on the house, one of the members of the Camp Curtin Fire Company of Harrisburg said " Here I  will take the hose" and our boys said, "This is Linglestown's line, your pumper is down at the creek trying to pump water and can't". It is unfortunate that the Linglestown Fire Company was not called earlier, since through the efforts of the Linglestown Fire Company the house was saved from total destruction. No water was put on the fire prior to the arrival of the Linglestown Fire Company. From this time on, the Linglestown Fire Company was respected among all the other nearby fire companies as well as the citizens of the community when they heard the good work the Linglestown men did when they got into action.

This was published in 1959 so it was 1940 - 1959

The fire company at no time ever lacked drivers and volunteers when a fire call was received except during World War II, year of 1945. Many of the men of the community were called up for service and the older men were employed in defense plants and at military installations. There was a discussion as to the merits of teaching some of the women of the community how to drive the truck and to respond to alarms, especially during daylight hours.   However, the war ended in August 1945 and this situation soon adjusted itself when the boys returned home from the war.

Theft in Linglestown

This is an article from "The Evening News". We do not have the date. If you know the date, please let us know.  Thank you Esther and Sonny Bretherick for sharing this.

Carls Auto Body Shop is still in business on N. Mountain Rd.

History of Linglestown Fire Company - Part 2

The following post is from The 25th Anniversary of Linglestown Fire Company commemorative book. The anniversary was celebrated in June 1959.

During the year of 1900, the people of the community again tried to start a new fire company. A festival was held in Zimmerman's Hall to raise money to purchase chemical fire extinguishers. A net profit of $60.00 was realized from the festival and 12 fire extinguishers were purchased and distributed in various stores and homes in the community. The purchase of the fire extinguishers was the last that was recorded of this effort to organize a fire company.

On November 28, 1922, the homes of Mrs Carrie Feeser and Austin Schaner burned down and again a fire company was organized but it never went any further than the organization stage.

In February, 1934, a barn of Charles Reimert located in Linglestown burned down with the loss of two horses, in addition to the barn.  From approximately 1890 until the founding of the Linglestown Fire Company No. 1 in February 1934 it was always necessary to call Harrisburg to receive help to fight the fires in Linglestown. Later, when Penbrook and Progress Fire Companies were organized, they were called when help was needed.  However, due to communication services, a lot of time was lost when equipment had to come from Harrisburg, Penbrook and Progress. It was the Charles Reimert fire that caused great excitement and showed the people of the community the need of an organized fire company. Through the efforts of the Rev. Elias H. Phillips, minister of the Reformed Church, a call went out to the men of the community for a meeting to be held at the American Legion Hall(presently the Chapel of the EUB Church) {Chapel is no longer standing-ed} for the purpose of organizing a fire company. This meeting was held at 7:30 P.M. on February 28, 1934.

Chapel that was later the American Legion Hall .
Located north of the square across from the EUB Church.

Like the old Paxton Fire Company, the new organization called the Linglestown Fire Company, was also received by the people of the community with approval and criticism. Some thought that the new organization would die like the other companies the community tried to organize throughout the years. However, this group of men were determined. The first equipment used, if necessary, was to be buckets, hand fire extinguishers and ladders, the type that could be found in any person's home.

Meetings of the new fire company were held each month in the American Legion Hall, with the men of the fire company determined that this new company would not die. Various activities were held by the fire company during the year to raise funds in order to purchase a motorized piece of equipment. In 1935, the happy day arrived when the Ford, Model T fire truck was purchased from the Elizabethville Fire Company. From that day on, the community began to support the fire company and the membership grew rapidly. The men of the fire company, periodically would take the fire truck  down to Beaver Creek and practice pumping from the creek. As the fire company became known, and twenty-four hour service for fire calls was furnished by Zimmerman's Home for Funerals, the company received many fire calls .

...to be continued...

You Ate What ?

Laura Gifford and Denise Diemlier, members of Linglestown 250th Committee, have been working many hours researching Linglestown property owners and looking for interesting stories to go in the 250th Commemorative Book. They came across this interesting article published in the 1960's. We think it was in The Paxton Herald. 

The lady, Mrs. Edna Horting, in this article is Denise's Grandmother.

Street Names of Linglestown

The following post was researched and written by Laura Gifford. Laura is a member of the Linglestown's Sestercentennial Committee.

In preparation for our sestercentennial, research has begun tracing the ownership of the original lots laid out by Thomas Lingle and three extensions of Linglestown using deeds.  This research has led to some interesting discoveries regarding the names of the roads in Linglestown.

Most of the roads have been around for as long as Linglestown has, but their names have changed over time.  Linglestown Road was originally named Market Street by Thomas Lingle.  Then, as now, this road extended well beyond Linglestown and was thus sometimes described as the road to Harrisburg, to the river, or to Fort Hunter. 

Blue Mountain Parkway was variously known as the road to Daniel Reem’s Stillroom or Mountain Alley.  

Linglestown Road and Blue Mountain Parkway *click to enlarge*

North Mountain Rd was called Mountain Street by Thomas Lingle, but was also called Front Street (1863), Main Street(1889), the road to Paxtonia, and confusingly also the road to Harrisburg.  The earliest use of North Mountain Road I’ve found is in 1963.  This road has been a public road since at least 1818; by 1926 it was part of state routes – Route 140 and then by 1941 Route 834. 

North Mountain Road. Note the trolley track on the right.

The western side of LaRue Street is the older part of this road.  It was originally named Walnut Street and the part closest to North Mountain Road was divided into lots in the early 1860s.  

Larue Street, Avis Lane, and Amber Street. *click to enlarge*

Avis Lane was around by then and was originally known as Penn Alley or Avenue.  The name change to Avis Lane appears to have occurred between 1960 and 1965.    

Finally, Amber Street, a street most of us have never encountered has had two other names – Branch Street, beginning by 1863, and Short Avenue.

Linglestown's Famous Past

Many famous people throughout history have lived in Linglestown at one time in their life or they had forefathers who lived here.

The following people can all trace their ancestors back to Linglestown.

Lindley Murray: wrote the first English grammar book in America.

Lindley Murray

William Darby, English geographer and Rev. William Graham: founder of Washington and Lee University.

Major General George Barnett, head of the United States Marines during World War 1 was a descendant of the Barnett family. The Barnett's sold the land on which Linglestown is located, to Thomas Lingle.

James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States (1857-1861), could trace his family back to Rev. James Buchanan and wife.  Rev. Buchanan's wife was born in Linglestown. 

President James Buchanan

Three of President Dwight Eisenhower's ancestors lived in Linglestown, and are buried in Wenrich's cemetery at St Thomas United Church of Christ.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower

John Eisenhower was the half brother of the great-great-grandfather of the 34th President.  John's wife, Catherine Planck, is buried next to him.  She is the daughter of Jacob Planck, a signer of the deed to the church property.  St Thomas UCC has a copy of an extensive Eisenhower genealogy.

Old Log House on the Unger Farm west of Linglestown (1967) .
This was the  homestead of the Peter Eisenhower family
who were the ancestors of President Eisenhower.

John Eisenhower's grave

Some of the forefathers of President Woodrow Wilson lived on the outskirts of Linglestown.

President Woodrow Wilson

Archibald Roan, son of Rev. Roan (a pastor at Wenrich's) became the second Governor of Tennessee.

Peter Bonavitz sold his land in Linglestown to Evangelical Brethren Church (now Linglestown Life Church) moved west and later became Governor of Iowa. His son became a senator there.

Archibald Roan

Governor David R. Porter of Pennsylvania (1839 -1845) owned a farm two miles west of Linglestown. 

Governor David R. Porter

Governor John Fisher of Pennsylvania (1927-1931) was related to the Thomas Lingle family.

Governor John Fisher

Henry Horner, former Governor of Illinios (1933-1940) and Alexander Ramsey, former Governor of Minnesota(1879-1881) had forefathers who lived in Linglestown.

Information for this post is from Lower Paxton Township Bi-Centennial Book and St Thomas UCC website.

Schools of Linglestown

In 1720 the first school in town was built in combination with the the first church at Wenrich's, now St. Thomas UCC. It was a one story log building located a half a mile east of Linglestown. The building had a church and school in one half and a home for the minister and teacher in the other half. It was called Wenrich's Parochial School.

Wenrich's Parochial School

Wenrich's Parochial School was used until 1790 when the students were then moved to the The Town of St. Thomas Log School. The Log School was twenty feet wide and twenty feet long and stood on the eastern part of town. On the north side of the building were two windows and the desks for the male students. The door, teacher's desk and window were on the east side of the classroom. On the south end was one window, and log seats and desks for the female students.  The west end had two windows, a long bench against the wall, and bench and desk for the big boys. A ten plate stove was in the center of the room and a small space up front for a blackboard. The windows were chin high so that the pupils couldn't look out. The students attended the log school until 1843.

The log school was built before the days of the free schools as we know them. The teacher was paid a penny a day for each pupil by the parents. If the parents could not pay then it was paid by the poor house. School attendance was not compulsory in those days.

In 1843 the students moved to a new school on the northern hill above Linglestown. Because of its location it was named the Hill School. The building was forty feet long and thirty feet wide. At one time it had one hundred students. Mr. Charles Mytinger was the teacher and was paid twenty dollars a month for four months of teaching each year. This school was also used for church purposes. 

The Hill School became so crowded in 1851 a duplicate school building was constructed east of the town on the Joseph Meese farm. The school had two names: The Locust Hill School or Meese School. The students who lived in the east end of town went to the Locust Hill School and those who lived in the west part of town went to the Hill School. 

An incident happened at the Locust Hill School.  When a teacher demanded that a girl student, who was much heavier and larger than he was, do a certain lesson, she refused. He was going to force her to do it so she took her small slate board and hit him over the head with it. The slate broke and the frame of the slate hung around the teacher's neck. The girl left school and ran home, never to return.

In 1879, when the Locust Hill School closed, the Mt. Zion School opened.  The school was located on the Meese farm, directly south of the Locust Hill School. It was thirty feet long and twenty feet wide. The school had all new furniture, desks for two with drop lids and folding seats, plaster blackboards all around the room, and two clothes closets. The school cost $727.00 to build and furnish.

Mt Zion School

After the Hill School was closed in 1859, the students were transferred to a new brick school which had been recently built. One of the teachers there,  Mr. Joseph Eichelhart, was especially liked by the children and their parents. When he came to Linglestown to teach, he brought wooden handled jumping ropes for the girls and was the first to introduce the game of football to Linglestown.

In 1876, construction began on the Linglestown High School building. It was built at the west end of Linglestown. There were three sections taught at this school: primary, intermediate and secondary education. The secondary school was established in 1910, composed of a two year course. The first graduating class in 1912 had six members. The brick building was used until 1931 when it became the location of the Linglestown Fire Company.

Lillie Pitman was the teacher at Linglestown High School
in 1921.  The pump was just outside the door and it was a
student's chore to bring in a pale of water each day for
watering the plants and washing the slate chalk boards.

One of the earlier graduating classes of the Linglestown High
School.  Seated: Bertha Rabrich, Ella Good, Sarah Schreiner,
standing: Irene Hershey, Boyd Good, Eva Daniel, Professor
William Weills and Dorothy Frese.

Teacher's Contract

Many times, when a teacher offered his services, he would draw up a contract to be agreed upon by the parents of the children he was to teach. Here is an example of a contract used by a teacher:

"George W. DuMars proposed to teach a regular English School three months at Light's School, consisting of the following branches: spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic if necessary. We, the subscribers, promise to pay the said, G.W. DuMars, for the above services, two dollars per scholar, annexed to our name, with fire wood and school house, for said term. None subscribers will be required to pay three cents per day. School will commence on the first Monday of December, next." Subscription dated, October 12, 1832. About thirty persons signed this pledge.

In 1922 the Lower Paxton Township Public School was opened. For many years all the students in the Township went to this school. In later years, the elementary and senior high school students went to newly constructed schools.

Merit System

Teaching and the running of the classroom was different in many ways than the way it is done today.  The merit system was used in the Mt. Zion School. Reciting was very important then and the "move to the head of the class system" was used. The more correct answers a student had in a row, the closer he/she came to the front of the class. If he/she made a mistake,  he went to the rear to begin again. The person who was at the head of the class at the end of each week would receive a merit card recognizing this fact.


Apparel

The Boys wore homemade boots and the girls wore homemade cow hide shoes, greased with hot tallow. The girls also had hand warmers, heavy long underwear and long, woolen stockings in the winter.


Books and Equipment

There was different equipment used in the schools.  Raubs Reader, Mitchell's Geography, Buckwalter's Speller and different arithmetic and grammar books were used. Many large wall maps, charts on tripods and globes were used.


Games

Many games were played at recess, most of which have now been forgotten. Paddleball, sock about, rabbit, old sow, kick the wicket, carley over, whip cracker, hind-most-three, see-saw, fox in the morning, rolling whoops, shooting marbles, building snowman, and snowball battles are an example.


Punishments 

Many different types of punishments were used in the schools. Some examples of these are spanking, staying in at recess and standing on a round stick in a corner, with one hand held high.

Schools of Higher Education

There were two institutions of higher education in early Lower Paxton Township. The first was called the Log College and was located a mile south of Paxtonia. The second one was located in Linglestown at the eastern end.  It was called St. Thomas Institute, a three-story building. The institute was opened in 1856 by Professor John Focht, for a term of six weeks. Students were charged three dollars for each term. The school operated for a number of years, graduating many future professional people. The students came from many surrounding counties. The building is now a home and can be seen at 6073 Linglestown Rd.

Information for this post is from the Lower Paxton Twp. Bi-Centennial book.

The Willow Grove Cemetery

The Willow Grove Cemetery is located on North Mountain Road about one-half mile south of Linglestown Square.

The Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County, incorporated Willow Grove Cemetery in 1868. It is owned by an association and is not church affiliated. The cemetery is run by a board of trustees consisting of several interested citizens.

There are no records of who was buried there before 1947, which is when they started keeping records. 

The lots were owned by individuals, which they bought and maintained on their own, with no perpetual care. In the 1940s, Jonas Cassel was the one who started mowing and caring for the cemetery. Until he took it over, it was almost all overgrown with high grass and weed. Some lot owners were taking care of their spaces, but many were not. He died in 1972 and is buried in Willow Grove.

Jim Gardner has been the caretaker since 1972. If a stone is leaning, he will put in a new foundation by taking off the stone, digging a deep hole, pouring in the concrete and reseting the stone.
Maintenance costs about $4000 a year.

Hundreds of thousands of Northern men went off to fight in the Civil War. Thirty-nine of these men who never returned home alive hailed from the general Harrisburg PA area., specifically from East Hanover, West Hanover, Lower Paxton and Susquehanna Townships. In 1868, citizens of these townships, led by an influential local physician, Dr. W.C. Smith, banded together to build a Civil War monument, one of the earliest in the nation.  

The monument is in Willow Grove Cemetery and towers over 25 feet. It is made of marble with a majestic eagle on top.

The 39 Civil War veterans names and regiments are found on the four sides of the monument, one for each township. Along with the soldiers dates of deaths, sculptors also inscribed the fatal battle or campaign in which they fought and many of how they died, mostly of starvation.

After many years, time and weather had taken its toll on the monument. Most of the mortar had disappeared from between the stones, resulting in the field stone foundation being exposed to years of freezing and thawing.

Picture Courtesy Debi Santopietro

Former Lower Paxton Twp. supervisor Jay Purdy and a committee of interested persons started a campaign to raise the needed funds to move the monument to a new foundation in the cemetery, at a cost of $20,000. Because of the work and efforts of three people: Debi Santopietro, Jim Gardner, and Jay Purdy, along with the community, the monument was safely moved to the newly built foundation and dedicated on Veteran’s Day 2001.

Picture Courtesy Debi Santopietro

Picture Courtesy Debi Santopietro

Picture Courtesy Debi Santopietro

Picture Courtesy Debi Santopietro

Dr. W.C. Smith, who had originally spearheaded the movement to get  the monument built, is buried in Willow Grove near the monument.

Dr. Smith's Grave

Pete Koons is also buried there.  He is the man who donated land to the Linglestown Fire Co., which eventually became Koons Park; and also the land on which is located the Lutheran Church.