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

The Claster Building

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

1. The Claster Building Marker

Inscription. This building was erected in 1920 for the offices of the Pennsylvania Public Services Commission and was one of the first buildings in downtown Harrisburg intended to be leased for state offices. Originally known as the Claster Building, having been built by local merchant Henry C. Claster, the structure replaced the "footprint" of the earlier Board of Trade Building erected on the same site in the 1890's as Harrisburg further evolved as a major industrial, commercial and financial center in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region. The Harrisburg Board of Trade would ultimately become the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce, now the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, and was the site of operations of the Harrisburg League of Municipal Improvements which spearheaded the City Beautiful Movement. The Claster Building, renamed the Blackstone Building in the mid 20th Century, was used for a variety of office purposes as well as for the studios with rooftop transmission tower of early radio station WKBO. It was acquired by Dauphin County as an expansion of the County Government Complex in the early 1980's. With many interior and exterior alterations

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made over the years, the County thoroughly overhauled the building including the reconstruction of previously altered curtain walls and windows to emulate its original 1920 Art Deco-styled appearance.
Left Photo
1900 view of the Board of Trade Building located on the same site as the Claster Building.
Right Photo
Mid-1920's view of the Claster Building.

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 • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco, and the Pennsylvania, The Harrisburg History Project series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 40° 15.555′ N, 76° 52.921′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It is on Market Street, on the right when traveling east. Between River and 2nd Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 S 2nd St, Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

The Claster Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

2. The Claster Building

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: Hilton Harrisburg and Towers (within shouting distance of this marker); The Jones House (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square During The Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); The Johnston Building & Menaker Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Prelude To Gettysburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Capital Of The Keystone State Preserved! (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,281 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.