In commemoration of the patriotic
spirit, valor and heroism of the
men and women of this community
who served their country in war
1776 1918 — — Map (db m136299) WM
On September 12,2002, Twenty trees were planted on the front lawn of Glatfelter Memorial Field.
The spacing of these trees, 9 planted on the west side and 11 planted on the east side, will serve as a remembrance to those who perished in the . . . — — Map (db m213189) HM
On March 5, 1888, stock was subscribed for the future of the Central National Bank of Columbia. Architect S. Brian Baylinson of Philadelphia was hired to design the modified Italian Romanesque building. — — Map (db m203616) HM
Originally Wright's Ferry, founded by John Wright in 1726. An early center for turnpike, canal, and railroad activity, at an important Susquehanna River crossing. First bridge built in 1812. — — Map (db m5083) HM
In 1726 Quaker John Wright built a log house in an area first granted to George Beale by William Penn 25 years earlier. Wright established a ferry at this natural crossing point on the Susquehanna in 1730. Originally known as Wright's Ferry, the . . . — — Map (db m167922) HM
The Pennsylvania Railroad was the dominant railroad with predecessor railroads converging on Columbia from four directions.
East—Philadelphia and Columbia reached Columbia in 1834.
West—Wrightsvile, York and Gettysburg crossed the . . . — — Map (db m136294) HM
The Columbia Fire Company organized on July 4, 1796. On February 27, 1806, they purchased their first fire engine for $150. In 1814, the company reorganized with 58 members enrolled. — — Map (db m202724) HM
Built in 1869, the market house is the oldest market building in Lancaster County
Sponsored by Columbia Economic Development Corporation — — Map (db m202723) HM
A network of brave humanitarians aided thousands of freedom seekers at this river crossing. Among them was Robert Loney, born enslaved in Virginia circa 1815. Many members of his family are buried here.
"Abraham Johnson, a young slave, hearing . . . — — Map (db m215517) HM
World War I
1917-1919
Total U.S. Casualties - 320,710
World War II
1941-1945
Total U.S. Casualties - 1,070,162
Korean War
1950-1953
Total U.S. Casualties - . . . — — Map (db m136302) WM
During the mid-nineteenth century, Columbia was a bustling transportation hub. Turnpikes, ferries, bridges, canals, wharves, and railroads made Columbia a major transshipment point in the movement of lumber, coal, grains, pig iron, and people. . . . — — Map (db m161072) HM
Hannah lived to be 83 years old. She was born into slavery in Harford County Md. While enslaved she met and married her first husband Thomas Prosser. In 1841 they bought their freedom and came to Columbia, PA where they had four children, George, . . . — — Map (db m241492) HM
As early as 1857 there was some form of public school being offered to the children of color in Colombia - 43 males and 47 females were enrolled in classes that year
In 1872, Zion Hill AME Church turned over the property located on the south . . . — — Map (db m241495) HM
Organized on February 5, 1850, the church moved in 1952. Several machine shops occupied the site until 1981 when it was purchased and restored by the Columbia Historic Preservation Society. — — Map (db m203560) HM
The Columbia Bridge Company was formed in 1811 and began to raise money for a bridge between Columbia and Wrightsville. This business served as the first bank in the community, and by 1814 had used its profits to build the first . . . — — Map (db m122597) HM
Chartered on October 25, 1890, the Keystone Hook & Ladder Co. was mostly employees of the Keeley Stove Co. The present Keystone
building and hall was constructed at the cost of $15,000 and dedicated on July 1, 1899. — — Map (db m203611) HM
The country's first coast-to-coast highway was established in 1913 by the Lincoln Highway Association, largely by improving and linking existing roads between New York and San Francisco. The highway changed the way people traveled and the landscape . . . — — Map (db m5761) HM
Lloyd Mifflin one of America's greatest sonneteers and artist was born here on Sept. 15, 1840 and lived here until 1902. He died at Norwood on July 16, 1921.
"My gentle mother, lost on earth to me, shall I know thee somewhere once again." Two . . . — — Map (db m203562) HM
Dedicated on June 19, 1851, this structure was originally 4 stories high & housed many businesses & organizations. During the Civil War, this building was also used as a field hospital. Godfrey Keebler, a famous confectioner of baked goods, was a . . . — — Map (db m197965) HM
(side 1)
Prelude to Gettysburg
One of the great debates of our Country's history and legacy is what scholars call "the two Civil Wars": the first a matter of campaigns, generals, and troop movements and the second focusing on the . . . — — Map (db m122592) HM
Columbia's strategic position would have made it a fine prize for an invading Southern army bent on disrupting vital communications and supply lines in the North. Railroads connected Columbia with Philadelphia, York, and Harrisburg, and canal . . . — — Map (db m167923) HM
Samuel Evans (1823-1907) was a veteran of the Civil War and a member of the Sons of the PA American Revolution. Lillian Evans (1861-1943), the daughter of Samuel Evans, was the first member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in PA. — — Map (db m203614) HM
Samuel Wright, Son of James and Rhoda Wright, was the original proprietor of Old Columbia. He named and laid out the bounds of the early town in what was then Wright's Ferry.
His generosity to his fellow townsmen was manifested in a grant of . . . — — Map (db m174349) HM
Samuel Hinkle (1869-1926) founded the Hinkle Easter Egg Dye Company. In 1924, the dyes were sold nationally by F.W. Woolworth Company. — — Map (db m202725) HM
Named after General Edward C. Shannon, PA
Lt. Gov. from 1930-1935, who commanded the 111th Infantry & 28th Division in WWI. Now known as the Noah Wenger Center, in honor of the PA State Senator, for contributions to the Columbia Boys Athletic . . . — — Map (db m203610) HM
Shawnee — One of the two Native American Tribes (Susquehannock) that originally populated the area around Columbia, PA. During the 1700's, their estimated combined numbers were 2,000 (7,000 by modern estimates). ”Love your life, perfect your . . . — — Map (db m219827) HM
Christopher Harry Stover (1845-1909), a Civil War veteran with the 118th PA Regiment. He worked for the Keely Stover Co. for 34 years. In the 1880's he opened a cigar store at 3rd & Walnut Streets and was a three term Justice of the Peace. — — Map (db m203567) HM
Susquehannock — One of the two Native American Tribes (Shawnee) that originally populated the area around Columbia, PA. During the 1700', their estimated combined numbers were 2,000 (7,000 by modern estimates).
Migrated to the area . . . — — Map (db m136298) HM
In 1816, Captain Izard Bacon, a wealthy slaveholder of Henrico County, Virginia, liberated fifty-six slaves. Some of his heirs tried to hold them in slavery; but, after long litigation, they obtained freedom. Charles Granger, a nephew of Bacon, . . . — — Map (db m241494) HM
A singular incident occurred on the voyage to New Orleans: One of the men of the battalion, a man of Moorish descent, was the possessor of a thick mass of coarse, black hair, so tangled and matted together that it was impossible for comb or brush . . . — — Map (db m241496) HM
The Old Columbia Public Grounds Company had its inception in the desire of Samuel Wright, the founder of Columbia, to do something of lasting benefit for the citizens of the town. As he saw it, the ground along the river shore was the most . . . — — Map (db m161079) HM
Dedicated to all submariners
of World War II
wherein 3,617 men
and 52 submarines were lost
We honor those men and all who served with them
— — Map (db m170545) WM
Volunteers from Columbia were represented in the following regiments. Many of these
Civil War Veterans are buried here in Zion Hill Cemetery. Burials also were made in
Columbia's Mt Bethel Cemetery.
2nd Regiment, United States Colored . . . — — Map (db m241497) HM
William Baker
abt. 1815 - Harford County, MD
14 May 1892 - Allentown, PA (buried in Lebanon, PA)
Harriet Ann (Cole) Baker
abt. 1829 - Havre de Grace, MD
01 Mar 1913 - Allentown, PA (buried in Greenwood Cemetery)
William . . . — — Map (db m241493) HM
Harry W. Zeamer (1869-1924), A druggist and chemist, established the pharmacy in 1893. The pharmacy had the finest use of soda fountain flavors in Lancaster County. — — Map (db m203557) HM
Opened at a time when blacks and whites legally could not be buried next to one another, this cemetery is the final resting place for generations of African-American wives, mothers, daughters, husbands, and sons—including valiant soldiers. In 1863 . . . — — Map (db m215521) HM
Sawneytown
Sawneytown was the free African community in Columbia. Per the History of Lancaster County (published in 1883) written by Franklin Ellis and Samuel Evans, in 1813 Robert Magill laid out lots on Filbert Street (present day Union . . . — — Map (db m241490) HM
Established in 1920, Zion Hill Cemetery is the final resting place of many residents of Columbia's "Tow Hill" neighborhood.
Prior to 1920, Columbia Borough was maintaining a "Colored Cemetery" located across the street from Mt Bethel . . . — — Map (db m241491) HM
From the colonial times through the early 1900s, water-powered mills were a backbone of industry in the United States. The lower Susquehanna Valley was a popular location for the construction of saw mills. Large timber rafts were floated . . . — — Map (db m234378) HM
This site is the former location of the Ironville Fire Company. The fire company was incorporated in 1944 and operated from this site until its merger with the Silver Spring Fire Company in 2000. A social hall and kitchen were built in 1953. A three . . . — — Map (db m215513) HM
In 1828, Henry Haldeman, patriarch of a well-to-do local family, purchased mills (including a saw mill, chopping mill, and a hemp mill) at the mouth of Chiques Creek and set up two of his sons in business there. The eldest son, Samuel, drew up . . . — — Map (db m136311) HM
In January 1861, citizens of West Hempfield and Rapho Townships petitioned for a bridge "at the place where the public highway leading from the Marietta pike to the village of Maytown" near the lands of Henry Copenhoeffer and John K. Forry. Ihe . . . — — Map (db m201339) HM
The Henry Clay Furnace, one of eight anthracite-fired iron furnaces on the Susquehanna floodplain between Marietta and Columbia, was built here in 1845 by Peter Haldeman, a Columbia merchant. It produced pig iron which was sent to rolling mills to . . . — — Map (db m234379) HM
During the Civil War an industrial complex existed on the floodplain along the Susquehanna River between Marietta and Columbia which included eight anthracite-fired iron furnaces and the canal and railroad facilities which served them. This . . . — — Map (db m205657) HM
Trolley systems spread rapidly throughout Lancaster and York Counties near the beginning of the Twentieth Century as they did elsewhere in the nation. Across the Susquehanna the Wrightsville & York Street Railway joined its namesakes in 1904. The . . . — — Map (db m212175) HM