The Home of Primroses - Built About 1885

The Home of Primroses - Built About 1885. . , John F. Rupp built this home about 1885. Rupp added a series of six greenhouses on the southside of his property where he specialized in primrose culture., John's father Henry ran Cumberland Nurseries, a large and successful farm and greenhouse just west of Locust Street on the Gettysburg Pike, going back to at least the 1870s. While actually in Lower Allen, Cumberland Nurseries advertised as being in Shiremanstown, and was included in the Shiremanstown census. Henry was a son of Rever[e]nd George Rupp of the Slate Hill Mennonites, and grandson of the founder, German born Rever[e]nd Henry Rupp., John and his brother David were associated in the family business, shipping their acclaimed primroses nationwide. They became one of the largest producers of plants and seeds in the country, and were also known for raising shamrocks., In 1910 John sold the florist business to Melvin Etter, who specialized in floriculture and vegetable plants for the gardener and truck farmer trade. He maintained a stall at the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. Ultimately, the greenhouse deteriorated, work stopped, and the greenhouses were torn down about 1969., The Ott family purchased the home in 1995 and have maintained its historic integrity.