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

Bellevue Park

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 30, 2008

1. Bellevue Park Marker

Inscription. The centerpiece of improvements to Harrisburg's marvelous park system, launched in 1902, was the "Crown Jewel" of Reservoir Park situated at the city's summit. Adjacent to this summit, flowing to the south, were the open fields of an old farm named Belle Vue, acquired by German-born Christian Haehnlen in 1856, and later bequeathed to his son, Jacob, who built there a summer retreat in 1876. The home was in turn inherited by Jacob's son, Louis, who established a well-known grapery and wine vineyard on its grounds. Fortuitously, the property became the residence in 1909 of noted environmentalist and civic leader J. Horace McFarland(1859-1948), and was named "Breeze hill." McFarland's work as a national leader in the cause of scenic preservation helped to mold the plans of the Union Real Estate Investment Company, which in 1907 acquired the old Haehnlen farm for the development of Pennsylvania's first planned residential community. As secretary of the Company, headed by Harrisburg realtor Herman P. Miller, McFarland procured the services of the nationally known landscape architect Warren Manning (1860-1938), who was already

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involved in designing the City's park system, to execute a plan which embodied McFarland's philosophy: respect for the earth through which urban growth would harmonize with nature. The original contours of the land were maintained with the utilities located underground, the house plans were to achieve architectural distinction, and the streetlights were themed to enhance the Park's style and character. Opened in 1910, Bellevue Park's meadows and grape-laden vineyards had evolved into a splendid forested community and sanctuary to the spirit of the City Beautiful Movement of the early 20th Century and the City's present-day renewal efforts.
Top Photo
Circa 1907 view, looking south from Reservoir Park, of the meadowland that would become Bellevue Park.
Bottom Photo
Circa 1910 view looking south from Market Street, toward recently opened 21st Street showing new sidewalks and streetlights.

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, The Harrisburg History Project

Pond in Bellevue Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 30, 2008

2. Pond in Bellevue Park

series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 40° 16.099′ N, 76° 51.183′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Allison Hill. It is on Bellevue Road, on the right when traveling east. Between Pentwater and Briar Cliff Roads. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 141 Pentwater Rd, Harrisburg PA 17104, 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: Bishop McDevitt High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Breeze Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Camp McClellan (approx. 0.3 miles away); The National Civil War Museum (approx. 0.3 miles away); Moment of Mercy

This charming Colonial Revival is one of many styles seen in Bellevue Park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John K. Robinson, November 3, 2007

3. This charming Colonial Revival is one of many styles seen in Bellevue Park.

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Harrisburg High School and Former John Harris High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Explore the Capital Area Greenbelt (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mansion at Reservoir Park (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other markers related to J. Horace McFarland

Bellevue Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John K. Robinson, November 3, 2007

4. Bellevue Park

This is one of the many wooded areas with Bellevue Park.

Photographed by John K. Robinson, January 8, 2010

5. Breeze Hill

Breeze Hill was the home of J. Horace McFarland.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,423 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on May 17, 2008, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on April 9, 2010, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.