National Register of Historic Places listings in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, is home to many amazing places that are super important to American history! This article will tell you about some of these special spots. They are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for buildings, areas, and structures that have a cool story to tell about the past.
There are 31 places in Lebanon County on this special list. Four of them are even more important and are called National Historic Landmarks. These landmarks are like the superstars of history! You can even see where some of these places are on a map if you have their exact location details.
Discovering History in Lebanon County
What is the National Register?
The National Register of Historic Places is an official list kept by the United States government. It helps protect places that are important for their history, architecture, or even what they represent about American culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our shared heritage. It also helps people learn about and appreciate these historic treasures.
Special Places: National Historic Landmarks
Lebanon County has four places that are so important, they've been named National Historic Landmarks. These sites played a big role in shaping America.
Cornwall Iron Furnace
The Cornwall Iron Furnace is a really old iron-making factory located in Cornwall. It started making iron way back in 1742! This furnace was super important during the American Revolution. It made cannons and cannonballs for George Washington's army. It kept working for over 200 years, finally closing in 1973. Today, you can visit it and see how iron was made long ago. It's one of the best-preserved iron furnaces in the entire country.
Bomberger's Distillery
Bomberger's Distillery is found southwest of Newmanstown. It's one of the oldest distilleries in the United States. A distillery is a place where alcoholic drinks like whiskey are made. This one started in 1753! It's a great example of early American industry and how people made spirits. Even though it's not making drinks anymore, its buildings tell a long story about how things were done in the past.
Schaeffer House
The Schaeffer House is in Schaefferstown. It's a very old house, built around 1736. It belonged to Alexander Schaeffer, who founded Schaefferstown. This house is a fantastic example of early German architecture in Pennsylvania. It shows how the first settlers built their homes and lived. It's a key part of understanding the history of the area.
Union Canal Tunnel
The Union Canal Tunnel is west of Lebanon. This tunnel is a true engineering marvel from the early 1800s. It was part of the Union Canal, which connected the Schuylkill River with the Susquehanna River. Canals were like highways for boats, helping transport goods across Pennsylvania before trains were common. This tunnel is the oldest existing transportation tunnel in the United States! It's a cool place to see how people built amazing things without modern machines.
Other Cool Historic Spots
Besides the National Historic Landmarks, many other places in Lebanon County are on the National Register. They each have their own unique story.
Old Churches and Homes
Many historic homes and churches are on the list. For example, the Alden Villa in Cornwall is a beautiful old house. The Biever House in Annville and the Chestnut Street Log House in Lebanon are also important. The Bindnagles Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Londonderry Township is a historic church. These buildings show us how people lived and worshipped many years ago. The Isaac Meier Homestead in Myerstown is another old home that tells about early settlers.
Historic Districts
Some entire areas are listed as historic districts. This means a whole neighborhood or town section is important. The Annville Historic District includes many old buildings in Annville Township. The Pennsylvania Chautauqua Historic District and the Mt. Gretna Campmeeting Historic District in Mount Gretna are special places. They were once popular summer resorts where people went for education, entertainment, and religious gatherings. Walking through these districts is like stepping back in time!
Train Stations and Bridges
Transportation history is also represented. The Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad Station and the Reading Railroad Station in Lebanon are reminders of the age of trains. These stations were busy hubs where people traveled and goods were shipped. The Waterville Bridge is another interesting site. It's a historic bridge on the Appalachian Trail over Swatara Creek. It shows how important bridges were for connecting communities and allowing people to travel.
These are just some of the many historic places in Lebanon County. Each one helps us understand the rich history of Pennsylvania and the United States.
Images for kids
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Alden Villa
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Annville Historic District
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Biever House
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Bindnagles Evangelical Lutheran Church
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Bomberger's Distillery
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Brendle Farms
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Chestnut Street Log House
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Colebrook Iron Master's House
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Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad Station
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Cornwall Iron Furnace
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Philip Erpff House
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Josiah Funck Mansion
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Gloninger Estate
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House of Miller at Millbach
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Landis Shoe Company Building
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Lebanon Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District
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Isaac Meier Homestead
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Pennsylvania Chautauqua Historic District
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Mt. Gretna Campmeeting Historic District
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Reading Railroad Station
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Rex House
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St. Lukes Episcopal Church
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Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church
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Schaeffer House
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Dr. B. Stauffer House
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Tabor Reformed Church
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Tulpehocken Manor Plantation
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Union Canal Tunnel
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Waterville Bridge
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Heinrich Zeller House
