Schaefferstown in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Schaefferstown Water Company
One of North America's oldest documented public water systems. Alexander Schaeffer built a hotel on the square in 1744, and construction of the water system began here shortly after. On July 16, 1763, he and his wife Anna Engle deeded this land - today Fountain Park - for the use of the inhabitants of Market Street. The present company was chartered in 1845 as successor to The Fountain Company of Heidelberg.
Erected 1995 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1949.
Location. 40° 17.733′ N, 76° 17.633′ W. Marker is in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania, in Lebanon County. Marker is at the intersection of S. Market St. and Sheep Hill Road on S. Market St.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Schaefferstown PA 17088, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Baron Stiegel's Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint Luke Lutheran Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to Historic Schaefferstown (approx. 0.2 miles away); St Paul's Reformed Sunday School and Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Brendle Farms (approx. 0.6 miles away); Jacob Albright (approx. 2.4 miles away); The Middle Creek Story (approx. 2.8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Schaefferstown.
Also see . . .
1. Welcome to Historic Shaefferstown. Website homepage (Submitted on July 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. Oldest water supply system in America. Historic Towns of America website entry:
German immigrant Alexander Schaeffer founded a settlement in the town of Heidelberg in Lebanon County in 1743 which became known as Schaefferstown. He built The King George hotel around 1746, which still stands as The Franklin House, and constructed a water system from a spring on a nearby hill sometime before 1750.(Submitted on October 27, 2022, by HistoricTownsOfAmerica.com - Guy Saladino of Long Beach, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,114 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on October 27, 2022, by HistoricTownsOfAmerica.com - Guy Saladino of Long Beach, New York. 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 29, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.