Arendtsville in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pennsylvania Bread Basket: Feeding a Nation in Conflict
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2020
Agriculture has always been a part of the culture of the South Mountain area. Settlers were originally drawn to a wild land to cultivate the soils and raise crops, and today agricultural and community leaders to work together to inspire a new culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, securing a strong future for this integral part of the local economy.
Freedom & Prosperity
Many Quakers in the local area were successful farmers and fruit-growers and played a key role in the Underground Railroad, collaborating to fee and help escaping slaves. These freedom seekers used the travel corridor of South Mountain and ancient footpaths of Native Americans in the area to hide their movements and find their way. The nearby Menallen Friends Meetinghouse remains an important site related to the Quaker and Underground Railroad history of this area.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation…
Agriculture was a key attraction as a source of supplies and nourishment for Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War, drawing Robert E. Lee and his troops across the Mason-Dixon Line. Camp Michaux, in nearby Caledonia, once a prosperous farm owned by the South Mountain Iron Company, was utilized as Pennsylvania's first Civilian Conservation Corp Camp (S-51) under Roosevelt's New Deal. In 1942, the Intelligence Department of the Army took over and supervised a prisoner of war camp there, housing German naval officers, and then some of Rommel's African Corps, and later Japanese officers. Many of the prisoners were put to work on surrounding farms, including local fruit farms.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Agriculture • Churches & Religion • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 39° 55.311′ N, 77° 18.029′ W. Marker is in Arendtsville, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is on South High Street north of Chambersburg Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 S High St, Biglerville PA 17307, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Why are South Mountain and the Fruit Belt so important to the area and Pennsylvania? (here, next to this marker); South Mountain: The Bedrock Of Conservation… (a few steps from this marker); Local History of the Area (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); F.D.R. Slept Here (within shouting distance of
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 280 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.