Kutztown in Berks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Candlemaker

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 3, 2017

1. The Candlemaker Marker

Inscription. "Der licht macher" means light maker or candlemaker, who used beeswax or bayberry wax for his candles. Professional candlemakers were usually found in large towns & cities. The candlemaker hung a wick, with a small weight at the bottom from a piece of wire which held five or six wicks. The wires were dipped in a kettle filled with hot wax. The candles had to cool after each dipping. Because of the cost of the wax & the amount of time required, professionally dipped candles were expensive.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 40° 31.092′ N, 75° 46.989′ W. Marker is in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. It can be reached from Wentz Street. Marker is on the Kutztown Fairgrounds, home of the Kutztown Folk Festival. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 Wentz Street, Kutztown PA 19530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

It is also in the American

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Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Plain Dutch (here, next to this marker); New Year's Day Lore (here, next to this marker); The Bush Meeting (a few steps from this marker); Thanksgiving & Harvest Home (a few steps from this marker); Cider (a few steps from this marker); Dew of Heaven (a few steps from this marker); Pennsylvania Half-Timbering (a few steps from this marker); The Mennonites (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kutztown.

Regarding The Candlemaker. Excerpt from "Today... and Yesterday" by The Morning Call

Also see . . .
1. The Pennsylvania German Society. (Submitted on July 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. (Submitted on July 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Old-Time Techniques for Modern Candlemaking.

The Candlemaker Marker and Other Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 3, 2017

2. The Candlemaker Marker and Other Markers

(Submitted on July 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 341 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.