The St. Thomas Institute & The Running Pump Farm and Tavern

The St. Thomas Institute and The Running Pump Farm and Tavern. . , Local Aviation , Local lore collected by Nevin Moyer in the first half of the 20th century tells us that aviation attempts occurred in our area long before the Wright brothers were born. In September of 1828, George Pletz and his brother built a flying machine (likely a glider) and attempted to fly from the mountain into Fishing Creek Valley. They did not succeed. George, age 20, broke his neck and died. He is buried at Wenrich's Cemetery, where his tombstone can still be found. His brother survived with a broken arm., While the Pletz brothers' very early and disastrous flight attempt has been remembered in folklore and books on local history, amateur aviation experimentation did not end with their 19th century attempt. Earnest Fackler, who was the grandson and son of the owners of 6061 Linglestown Road before becoming the owner of the property himself, made his own airplane in 1929., [Newspaper article inset reads] , HOMEMADE PLANE CRASHES, YOUTH TO TRY AGAIN , Grantville, April 16, , Ernest G. Fackler, who during the past winter constructed a moterless aeroplane, had an exciting experience. While trying out his plane it rose to a height of twenty feet, when, due to improper balancing and a gush of wind, it fell sidewise to the ground. The one wing was slightly damaged and one of the large braces broken. He intends to try again., The St. Thomas Institute , For many years young people, mainly young men, in the Linglestown area were able to advance their education beyond what might be considered an 8th grade level by attending "Professor" John Focht's St. Thomas Institute. Professor Focht began offering advanced classes in 1858 for a fee of three dollars for a term of six weeks each., He purchased three and a half parcels in 1861 where he farmed and taught out of his home. Finding he needed more space for his Institute, in 1870 he tore down the existing log home on lot 5 and replaced it with the current 3 story structure., The Institute held classes on the third floor and rental properties on the lower levels. Many students graduating from the Institute also became teachers. After his retirement his example was continued by others in town until a public high school was founded some years later. When the Institute closed, the third floor continued as a public meeting space used by various fraternal orders., 6069 Linglestown Road , The property at 6069 Linglestown Road is the site of one of the newer houses in Linglestown built ca. 1932 and was once the location of a blacksmith shop., 6080 Linglestown Road , The lot at 6080 Linglestown Road contained another building from the same era, which operated as a candy shop and bakery., Running Pump Farm and Tavern , The Running Pump Farm, once home to the Running Pump Tavern bounds Linglestown to the East, now 6220 Linglestown Road. The Running Pump Tavern was built in 1741 on a small rise of ground that was secured from Thomas and John Penn; Proprietaries and Governors in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania., At that time it was called Mt. Hill and Andrew Berryhill was the first owner of the farm and tavern. Legend has it that he was killed by the Indians and his wife and son had hid in a secret cellar in the basement of the tavern until the Indians left the area. The two had later escaped to Fort Hunter 8 miles away. As late as 1765 the land was owned by Andrew Berryhill, and Martin Zimmerman was living in the tavern before Henry Meese purchased the Farm. The farm would later pass on to B. F. Moyer and his wife Kate Meese. Their Son Nevin Moyer would own the farm and later sell it to the Eyster Family. The Running Pump Farm is still farmed today., The Running Pump Tavern was torn down in 1913, and for years it was the resting point for travelers en route to Harris Ferry (Harrisburg). The site was also a stagecoach stop and many Conestoga wagons on their way West would take refreshments here while their horses watered at the running pump trough., Mail Delivery in Linglestown , In 1896, rural mail carrier Harry Julliard, who owned the property that is now 6040 Linglestown Road, built a stable at the back end of his lot to house his horse and wagon. From the stories passed down from the Shadel family, who owned the lot after the Julliard's, the wagon was most likely this postal wagon., This end of town is now almost entirely residential, but this was not always the case. The site of what is now 6064 Linglestown Road was one of the earliest post offices in town, when the store owner, Thomas Barnett, was appointed post master in 1841. The house on this lot is likely the same building in which he had his store., 6091 Linglestown Road , The Gordon family has had a medical practice at 6091 Linglestown Road since 1962, but they were not the first to do so. In 1952 the building was both the home and medical practice of married doctors Otto Weber and Alberta Finch. Otto and Alberta were married July 12, 1952. He practiced general medicine in Linglestown before completing a residency in gynecology and obstetrics. In addition to his private practice he served as Deputy County Coroner. The 36 year old Alberta carried their combined general medicine and pediatric practice while he completed his specialty. Their family included 5 children during their residence in Linglestown. In 1962 they relocated to East Stroudsburg to allow Otto to join the ob-gyn practice.