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

Historic Midtown Market District

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 30, 2008

1. Historic Midtown Market District Marker

Inscription. Just prior to the Civil War, Harrisburg's northern development reached only as far as North Street, although its northern boundary extended to Herr Street under an annexation to the original Borough in 1838. In 1860, Harrisburg was incorporated as a City with its newly annexed territory extending all the way to Maclay Street. That same year, as neighborhoods were expanding up to Verbeke Street, the original stone building of the Broad Street Market opened. The Market became the catalyst to the growth and development of N. Third Street and to its subsequent urbanization as a secondary business district to that of the downtown. By the early 20th Century, the District sported movie theaters, department stores, a host of restaurants and general retail shops. It was a central destination for celebrations and events. The District was particularly enhanced by the construction at 1224 N. Third Street of the six-story Commercial Bank Building in 1908, later to become the Furlow Building. First a bank on the ground floor, and later a "Five and Ten," the structure was an early mid-rise, with fashionable upper story apartments, one

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of the first luxury apartment buildings to be erected in the City. Although the District suffered from neglect and resulting removal of substandard buildings in the 1970's, the area has now emerged in budding renewal bordered by contemporary, upscale town homes and the Old Midtown and Fox Ridge Historic Districts.
Left Photo
N. Third Street in 1915 looking north with the Commercial Bank Building at left.
Top Right Photo
1915 postcard view looking south on N. Third Street with Broad Street Market at left.
Bottom Right Photo
Celebratory arches adorn the intersection of N. Third and Verbeke Streets during "Old Home Week" in 1905.

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, The Harrisburg History Project series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 40° 16.18′ N, 76° 53.333′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Midtown. It is at the intersection of North 3rd Street

Furlow Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 30, 2008

2. Furlow Building

and Verbeke Street, on the right when traveling north on North 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1233 N 3rd 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: Historic Harrisburg Resource Center (a few steps from this marker); Broad Street Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Tabernacle Baptist Church (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Green Street Residences (approx. 0.2 miles away); Visionaries / Community Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Engleton (approx. 0.2 miles away); The African-American Business District that Became "Jackson Square"

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(approx. ¼ mile away); J. Horace McFarland (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,976 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.