Bowmansdale, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bowmansdale, Pennsylvania
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Unincorporated village
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 Bowmansdale, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Bowmansdale, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Cumberland |
| Township | Upper Allen |
| Elevation | 408 ft (124 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1170073 |
Bowmansdale is a small, unincorporated community located in Upper Allen Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. It sits just south of Mechanicsburg. The community gets its name from Jacob Bowman, who was once a sheriff in Cumberland County.
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Discover Bowmansdale
Bowmansdale is recognized as a historic district by the Cumberland County Planning Department. This means the area has special importance because of its history and old buildings. Other historic areas in eastern Cumberland County include places like the Market Street District in Camp Hill and the New Cumberland Historic District.
A Look Back in Time
Long before permanent towns were built in Cumberland County, many Native American trails crossed the area. These paths were used by tribes like the Shawnee and Delaware for travel. Bowmansdale was a known stop on the Conoy Trail, which connected the places now called Lisburn and Carlisle.
Historic Lindenwood Farm
Bowmansdale is home to the historic Lindenwood Farm. We don't know exactly when the farm was started. However, a document from the Cumberland County Courthouse shows it was sold in 1751. By the late 1780s, the property had businesses for tanning leather and making lime. Some buildings from the 1860s are still there, along with even older barns.
Railroad History
By 1884, Bowmansdale was a stop on the Harrisburg and Potomac Railroad. This train line connected Harrisburg to Shippensburg. Later, the Reading Railroad company bought this rail line.
The Covered Bridge
The Bowmansdale Stoner covered bridge was built in 1867. In 1972, this historic bridge was moved to the campus of nearby Messiah College in Grantham.
Notable People
- Russ Wrightstone: a professional baseball player.
