Hummelstown in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Arch
The "Arch" was constructed by John Bieber in 1930, initially as an advertisement for Indian Echo Cave, a natural cavern located approximately ½ mile south of the Borough. In the photos, the arch is shown with its various modifications over the years. The trolley tracks ran centered between the columns. The original arch was constructed of wood and was raised on protective "feet." It was used to announce events and as a welcome sign for visitors to the community. The arch was removed from the Square in 1955.
Indian Echo Cave, formerly known as Echo Cave, is one of the foremost natural attractions in the northeastern U.S. and is comparable to the Luray Caverns of Virginia, noted for the type and beauty of its formations. It is considered to have nearly as much influence in putting Hummelstown on the map, as did the Hummelstown Brownstone Company. In 1929 John Bieber opened the cave for visitors and installed a lighting system. One year later, a second chamber was discovered and opened to the public. The Swartz family purchased the cave property in 1940, and it remains open to visitors.
In recognition of the original
this page online
Erected by Kym Alan Salness, M.D. and Family in honor of Esther and Dick "Brownie" Brown.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Natural Features • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 40° 15.928′ N, 76° 42.483′ W. Marker is in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. Marker is on West Main Street west of North Hanover Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 West Main Street, Hummelstown PA 17036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Hummelstown Brownstone Company (here, next to this marker); Square Project History (here, next to this marker); Hotels of Hummelstown (here, next to this marker); Then And Now (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Then And Now (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Then And Now (within shouting distance of this marker); On The Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Hummelstown (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hummelstown.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
