Olde Uptown in Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Tracy Mansion

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, March 15, 2008

1. Tracy Mansion Marker

Inscription. The notable Tudor Revival-styled edifice situated at the southeast corner of N. Front and Muench Streets well exemplifies the grand Front Street mansions of the early 20th Century that would rise north of Forster Street. The house was built in 1917 for David E. Tracy (1867-1923) who was one of the founders in the 1890's of the Harrisburg Pipe and Pipe Bending Company and who is memorialized by Tracy Hall at Harrisburg's Bishop McDevitt High School. Although the company's initial business was the repair of refrigerated railroad cars, it expanded into producing cylinders and automotive pistons. By World War I, the firm secured major contracts with the U.S. Government for military parts and by 1935, changed its name to Harrisburg Steel Company, now Harsco, a major international component manufacturer still headquartered in the Harrisburg metropolitan area. Tracy's 30-room mansion was the work of Harrisburg architect Charles Howard Lloyd who was known for designing many Harrisburg schools and Front Street homes. The building was of the highest quality in materials and construction, featuring mural paintings, masonry walls,

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an iron-cage elevator, and high quality hardwood over concrete floors. In 1951, the property became the Harrisburg Osteopathic Hospital that built an addition to the east, linking the main house to the garage, for extra hospital bed facilities. The Osteopathic relocated after the 1972 Agnes flood threatened demolition of the building for redevelopment activities. Fortunately, the Mansion was saved and stands as a tribute to one of the city's most successful industrialists of the early 20th Century.

[Caption:]
Circa 1920 view of Tracy Mansion prior to the hospital addition that linked house with garage.

Erected by The Harrisburg History Project Commissioned by Mayor Stephen R. Reed.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, The Harrisburg History Project series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 40° 16.494′ N, 76° 53.867′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Olde Uptown. It is at the intersection of North Front Street and Hersha Place, on

Tracy Mansion Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

September 28, 2016

2. Tracy Mansion Marker - wide view

the right when traveling south on North Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1909 N Front St, Harrisburg PA 17102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Simon Cameron School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pennsylvania Governor's Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Governor's Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Governor's Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Women's World War I Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Cottage Ridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Reily Hose Company No. 10 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mira Lloyd Dock (approx. 0.4 miles away).

Tracy Mansion today. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, March 15, 2008

3. Tracy Mansion today.

In 2008 there was discussion to convert the mansion into condo units.

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Additional commentary.
1. Update on Use of Mansion
It seems that the plan to convert to condominiums (including an additional building next door) was abandoned. The house has since been converted to commercial and restaurant use, as outlined on the developer's website:

The 1.54 acre site spans from North Front Street to Second Street, with a breathtaking view of the Susquehanna River and convenient access to Harrisburg business, education, entertainment and shopping.

Plans for Tracy Mansion include:
-Restoration of existing mansion and conversion to commercial use including a fine dining restaurant and professional office or other commercial space.
-Landscaped sculpture garden in front of the mansion
-Ample on site surface parking

— Submitted August 12, 2014, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The former Tracy Mansion - now a restaurant image. Click for full size.

September 28, 2016

4. The former Tracy Mansion - now a restaurant

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,987 times since then and 396 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 15, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 23, 2021. 3. submitted on March 15, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4. submitted on December 23, 2021.