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

Payne-Shoemaker Building

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

1. Payne-Shoemaker Building Marker

Inscription. The economic prosperity enjoyed nationally throughout the 1920's was clearly not lost upon Harrisburg's downtown development. By the decade's climatic conclusion there would rise a new generation of buildings in the city - those not traditionally located at the hub of Market Square nor on Market Street, but instead farther north commanding the view and sharing the prestige of Capitol Park and the Main Capitol Building. So it was that local developer Frank Payne and contractor Raymond Shoemaker built in 1929 the robust art deco-styled high-rise at Third and Pine Streets which became and still is today, a desirable address for lawyers and lobbyists. Designed by noted Harrisburg architect Clayton Lappley and logically dubbed the Payne-Shoemaker Building, the structure preceded what could be considered its sister building to the south, the 19-story, also art deco-styled, Harrisburger Hotel which was completed in 1930. These building were to Harrisburg as New york City's Chrysler and Empire State Buildings were to Manhattan, all built at the same time during a period of frenzied development and standing as symbols to the economic

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exuberance at the end of the 1920's. The Payne-Shoemaker/Harrisburger Hotel grouping is also important because it represents that period when Harrisburg's skyline was dramatically pushed upward as necessitated by the rapid appreciation of its real estate, giving initial shape to the urbanized cityscape of today.
Left Photo
Circa 1932 postcard view of Payne-Shoemaker Building (right) and the Harrisburger Hotel (left).
Right Photo
1929 view of N. Third Street showing Payne-Shoemaker Building under construction (right-center) and excavation for the Harrisburger Hotel (foreground).

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 Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 40° 15.778′ N, 76° 53.03′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It is at the intersection of North 3rd Street and Pine Street, on the right when traveling north on North 3rd Street. Touch for map.

Payne-Shoemaker Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

2. Payne-Shoemaker Building

Marker is at or near this postal address: 240 N 3rd St, Harrisburg PA 17101, 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: Pine Street Presbyterian Church (a few steps from this marker); The Old Executive, Library & Museum Building (a few steps from this marker); John Frederick Hartranft (within shouting distance of this marker); 104th Cavalry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); State Capitol (about 400 feet away); Mexican War Monument (about 400 feet away); Public Sector Unionism (about 500 feet away); Grace United Methodist Church (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Photographed by John K. Robinson, September 18, 2008

3. Payne-Shoemaker Building

The Payne-Shoemaker Building is seen in the context of present day downtown Harrisburg.

in Harrisburg.

Payne-Shoemaker Building seen from the north. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John K. Robinson, April 5, 2011

4. Payne-Shoemaker Building seen from the north.

Payne-Shoemaker Building cupola image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John K. Robinson, April 6, 2011

5. Payne-Shoemaker Building cupola

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,979 times since then and 166 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 28, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on April 9, 2010, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on April 9, 2011, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.