Hummelstown in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Developing Years

1815-1890

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 2, 2019

1. The Developing Years Marker

Inscription. This map, from a Dauphin County Atlas, depicts the development of Hummelstown as of 1875. Hummelstown was incorporated as a Borough in 1874. By this time, the population had grown to 2,900. The erection of bridges across the Swatora Creek, the construction of the Canal, and later the Lebanon Valley Railroad, as well as stagecoach travel, provided access to Hummelstown's markets and a bustling trade business. Hummelstown was a popular stop on the route between Reading and Harrisburg. Hotels and taverns provided services to travelers and residents. Among the businesses were stores, dairies, bakeries, coach works, saddlers, butchers, and tailors.

Two photos depict the enlargement of an early 19th Century building for the tailor, and later, Justice of the Peace Abner Hummel, the great-grandson of the town founders, Frederick and Rosina Hummel.

The First National Bank of Hummelstown, shown in an c. 1890 photo, was established in 1868. The building of Italianate Victorian style is located at 203 West Main Street. This structure remains, in an altered condition.

Erected by The Dauphin County Library System in memory of Donald A. Reed, community benefactor.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture

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• Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 40° 15.914′ N, 76° 42.46′ W. Marker is in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It can be reached from East Main Street east of South Hanover Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 East Main Street, Hummelstown PA 17036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

in the Susquehanna Valley,

and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American 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: Hummelstown (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Hummelstown (here, next to this marker); Then And Now (here, next to this marker); On The Square (here, next to this marker); The Fountain (here, next to this marker); The Arch (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotels of Hummelstown (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hummelstown Brownstone Company (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hummelstown.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 2, 2019

2. The Developing Years Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 368 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.