Annville Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Annville Historic District
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St. Anthony's Coptic Church, Annville Historic District, November 2011
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Quittapahilla Creek, Lebanon, Saylor and Marshall Sts., in Annville Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 88.5 acres (35.8 ha) |
| Built | 1763 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002285 |
| Added to NRHP | April 30, 1979 |
The Annville National Historic District is a special area in Annville, Pennsylvania. It's like a time capsule, showing how the town grew over many years. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it's recognized nationally for its important history and buildings. It is one of two historic districts in Annville.
Contents
Annville's Story: From Farms to Town
Annville began as a farming community. Its first buildings were near the Quittapahilla Creek and the mills along the water. The town was officially planned in 1763 and 1764. Andrew Miller, Abraham Raiguel, and Adam Ulrich laid out the first streets.
The town was first called Millerstown. Later, its name changed to Annville. Some say it was named after Andrew Miller's wife, Ann. Others believe it honored Queen Anne of Great Britain. She supported many German families who settled in this area.
Besides farming, Annville became known for making felt and silk hats. As the town grew, leaders built new roads. Businesses opened, and people built new homes. The town expanded beyond its waterways. Its buildings changed from simple log cabins to grander stone houses. Later, Victorian mansions and regular frame houses were built.
Protecting Annville's Past
In the late 1970s, a group called "Friends of Old Annville" formed. They wanted to protect old buildings from being torn down. In 1978, they started working to get Annville recognized as a historic district. They focused on Main Street and part of Queen Street.
Their hard work paid off. In 1979, the Annville Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This made Annville the first community in Lebanon County with a nationally recognized historic district. The district became known for showing how a town can grow in a straight line, from its oldest parts to newer areas.
A Second Historic District
Later, in the mid-1990s, Annville created a second historic district. This was done to give even more protection to the town's historic buildings. This local rule, called ordinance #587, focuses only on Main Street.
The goals of this second district are:
- To protect parts of Annville that show its cultural, economic, social, and architectural history.
- To help residents learn about their community's past.
- To encourage the use and reuse of historic buildings for everyone's benefit.
- To help Annville's economy by keeping property values stable. This is done by preserving and restoring old buildings.
- To make sure new buildings fit in with the historic ones.
- To set clear rules for any changes to historic buildings.
- To encourage keeping historic settings and landscapes safe.
If anyone wants to change a building in this historic district, they need a special permit. Annville's Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) must review and approve these changes.
Important Buildings in Annville
The Annville Historic District has 275 buildings. These are found in the main business area and the surrounding homes.
In 2007, the oldest building still standing was the Mary Gass House. It was built in 1753 and is a small stone house. Other important buildings include:
- Old log homes from the 1700s and early 1800s.
- The Abraham Herr Manor House.
- St. Paul's Apostolic Church, now St. Anthony's Coptic Church (built 1861).
- Kendig House (built 1830).
- Lewis Gilbert Inn (built 1800).
- Fleisher House and Livery (around 1780).
- The Light House, built in the Queen Anne style.
- The Biever House, which is also listed separately on the National Register.
Fun Events
Annville celebrates its history with special events. On June 8, 2019, the "Friends of Old Annville" group hosted "Historic Old Annville Days." This was the 31st time this event was held. It took place on West Main Street, right in the historic district. The event featured many music groups and solo performers. Bands played at the district's bandstand, making it a lively celebration of Annville's past.
