Religious liberty was the impulse which guided the Swiss Mennonites to the Pennsylvania shore
in 1683, at the invitation of William Penn. A group of these people, branching away from their
original settlement at Germantown, settled on the banks of the Pequea Creek. Two years later
some of the leaders of the Swiss Mennonites were granted patent deeds for 14,000 acres of land
in the country surrounding what is now Strasburg.
Tradition states that the first dwelling on the site that is now Strasburg was built around 1733 by
George Hoffman. Some 60 or 70 dwellings and eight public houses were built along the "Great"
Conestoga Road during the next half century.
Hell's Hole was the name given to this small settlement because of its attraction for uncouth
people. Little improvement was made when this name was changed to Bettlekausen or
Beggartown, revealing the monetary status of its inhabitants. The name of the community wasn't
changed to Strasburg until 1816.
Nothing is known about the political history of Strasburg prior to 1804, when a post office was
established with James Whitehill as postmaster. In 1816 an act of the General Assembly
incorporated the community into a borough.
The first public election was held in April of 1816 when the following were elected to the
borough council: James Whitehill, burgess; Jacob Miller, assistant burgess; Nathaniel W. Sample,
Thomas Crawford, John Connolly, Robert Spencer, Peter Hall, Samuel Miller and William
Hauge, councilmen; John Markley, constable; George Hoffman, treasurer, and Martin Foute,
clerk.
The present council includes- Milton Ranck, chairman; Frank Herr, Hubert Fritz, Ken Hood,
George Groff, Rodney Mayhew, Stanley High, Clayton Charles, John Witmer, councilmen;
Joseph Gonder, clerk; Richard Lantz, treasurer, and Merrill Hassel, solicitor.
Industry
Modern Strasburg, as the Strasburg of the past, has not encouraged the establishment of new
commercial enterprises and thus has remained primarily residential. Although not classified as an
industrial community, Strasburg does, however, have a colorful industrial history.
According to legend, the first mill in Lancaster County was located on the Pequa Creek, only one
mile northwest of the present site of Strasburg borough and was operated by J.Musselman. In
1720 Martin Kendig operated a mill one mile northeast of the borough.
In 1812 a blacksmith shop was opened near the present square. Records do not mention the
owner or his length of service, but in later years Rudolph Shaub, Franklin Dillick, Elias Beam and
his two sons owned the same business until it went out of existence in 1920.
Other notable blacksmith shops include those run by Samuel Figgart, David Scott, J. Lieb and
Peter Eberly, all of whom served during the time that Strasburg was a trade center in the middle
of the nineteenth century. Two later-day blacksmiths were J. H. Smith and Harry A. Smith, who
operated shops between the turn of the last century and 1930. Harry Smith still repairs furniture
at the site of his long-abofished blacksmith shop.
In the middle of the nineteenth century, when Strasburg was a major trade center, three coach
works and a livery stable were run in the community. The owners were Samuel Fondersmith,
John Aument, Sykes and Douchamiller cind Granier Pierce, the lcitter owning the livery
stable.
In 1880 I. M. Hagans started a livery stable on Miller Street. He bought a shop on East Main
Street in 1886 behind what is now the residence of Mrs. Clifford Hagans. Five years after moving
he opened a coach works, which he continued until 1916, when he beccime a Ford automobile
dealer.
In 1921 he purchased the Washington House from Benjamin Fritz, turning it into a display room
and two apartments. The business was operated at both locations by J. M. Hagans and his two
sons, Dallas and Clifford, under a DeSoto - Plymouth dealership until Clifford's death in 1949, at
which time the garage was moved to the rear of the display room. The business was conducted by
Dallas and his son Jack until December, 1959, when it was sold to Ray mond Shissier, who holds
a Ford dealership.
Another livery stable was opened soon after J. M. Hagans had opened his at the other end of
town beside a cigar factory. Both businesses, the cigar factory and the livery stable, were owned
by T. L. Brackbill. Both establishments were conducted until 1902, when he converted his cigar
factory into a hotel called The Hotel Strasburg.
In 1903 he started a coach works on East Main Street, and a dozen years later, in connection
with his coach works, Mr. Brackbill opened a garage as an agent for Mecca automobiles and later
as a dealer for Overland and Willys-Knight automobiles.
Publications of Strasburg
For over a century the publications of Strasburg have served the community and the surrounding
countryside. The original paper was "The Strasburg Bee," first printed in December, 1850, by
Martin Rohrer. Mr. Rohrer was succeeded by Dr. George S. Whitehill, a leading scholar of the
community, who published the newspaper until his death in a railroad accident near Erie.
Following Dr. Whitehill was W. J. Phoil, Esq, and soon thereafter Samuel B. Markley, the latter
of whom discontinued publication of the "The Bee" for a year.
In 1858 Mr. Markley sold the printing shop to William J. Kauffman, who printed "The Stras-
burg Herald" for three years, after which it was purchased by Jacob Hilderbrand, who used the
building for job printing until 1870.
In that year a stock company headed by George B. Eager bought the printing enterprise and
printed the weekly "Free Press." In 1879 J. W. Sando became chief editor of the company until
the discontinuation of the newspaper in 1881. Two years thereafter Frank P. Eberman purchased
the shop and set up a completely new office equipped with new type and a steam press. He
printed the "Free Press" until 1888, when he left the business to take up farming. In 1890 Frank
P. Hart published the "Gazette" for a year.
In 1879 "The Strasburg Weekly News" was first printed by John G. Homsher. For 49 years Mr.
Homsher edited the newspaper until his death, at which time his estate ran the weekly publication
with Frederick Homsher as business manager and John E. Homsher as editor. In 1955 the office
was sold to John Franklin Miller, who has continued the business to date.
The First National Bank of Strasburg
The First National Bank of Strasburg was organized on May 16, 1863. It is the second oldest
bank in the county and the forty-second oldest in the United States.
The original president was John F. Herr, who opened the bank near its present location with a
capital of $100,000 contributed by 72 stockholders.
As the bank grew larger, a new site was deemed necessary. Accordingly, in October, 1865, the
bank moved to its present location, then owned by Christian Bowman. In 1911 the vault and
security boxes were installed, and the property was purchased after having been leased for 46
years.
The list of presidents is as follows: John F. Herr, 1863-1875; Joseph McClure, 1875-1887;
William Spencer, 1887-1889; A. Ross Black, 1889- 1906; Christian Rowe, 1906-1909; Robert
McClure, 1909-1925; A. W. Hess, 1925-1954, and Manuel G. Ranck, 1954- present.
Strasburg Railroad.
In 1832 a charter was obtained to build a railroad connecting Strasburg and the Pennsylvania
Railroad at Leaman Place. In that some year work was begun, but not for 20 years was it
finished. For nine years the railroad ran regular service until it was sold by the sheriff to a group
headed by Ferree Brinton and including the Honorable Thaddeus Stevens for $13,000.
The stockholders individually sold their stock to John F. Herr and Cyrus N. Herr until these two
men held complete control of the railroad. In 1866 they took A. M. Herr into partnership and
named their business Herr and Company. The company built a mill and machine shop soon
thereafter and had a tremendous bus iness until 1870, when the buildings were destroyed by fire.
These structures were never replaced but a new depot was erected to handle coal, feed and
lumber.
Despite the tremendous number of patrons, the total destruction of the mill and machine shop
and the depression of 1 873 left Herr and Compciny in financial trouble. In April, 1875, Henry
Baumgardner purchased the railroad for $12,725. The road was leased for 13 years to Isaac
Phenegar, who had been the bookkeeper for Herr and Company. The railroad became
prosperous, again during Mr. Phenegar's management, and it was he who made it one of the most
important of the small railroads along the eastern coast.
In 1888 E. C. Musselman leased the railroad until 1898, when Mr. Baumgardner sold the line to
Frank Musselman. After 20 years the railroad changed hands again, this time going to Fred L.
and John E. Homsher, who ran it until the latter's death in 1954. For four years the line was idled
until it was purchased by a group of businessmen to be used as a tourist attraction.
The men, led by Henry Long, transferred the old line and acquired several nineteenth century
coaches and early model locomotives along with an old station, to add to the authenticity of the
attraction. The line has become well-known as the "Road to Paradise" and "America's Oldest Short
Line."
The Pequea Works
Founded in 1907 by Edwin Brown and Harry Kaufman, the Pequea Works at one time was the
only manufacturing plant of fishing tackle in the Keystone State. It then produced fishing reels,
rods and line, stationery supplies and metal Stampings. At its height the name "Pequea" was
synonymous with good fishing throughout the United States and Canada.
In 1925 the Yale Metals Company of New York bought the corporation, leaving Mr. Brown and
Mr. Kaufman as heads of the company. In later years the company was operated by the Kaufman
family until it was sold to Donald Z. Esbenshade in July, 1954.
Unfortunately the Peguea Works of today has decreased in-production due to stiff competition
from foreign countries, primarily Japan. The main products now are fishing lines, hooks and flies.
Nickel Mines
In the vicinity of Strasburg was one of the largest nickel mines in the nation at one time. The Gap
Mining Company, formed in 1849, mined copper at the place now known as the Nickel Mines.
Several years later a worker in the mine thought there was yet another mineral in the mines that
was being discarded. A sample of the ore was sent to F. A. Genth, professor of geology at the
University of Pennsylvania. The professor found that the ore contained nickel as well as a trace
of cobalt. immediately the mine began to mine the nickel, selling it to smelting companies
throughout the nation.
In 1855 a smelting company was formed one mile north of the mines. But it met with financial
destruction and was sold to the Gap Mining Company. In 1860 the mining ceased because of the
lack of nickel.
The property was purchased two years later by Joseph Wharton, a Philadelphia business man.
Immediately he set to work and reopened the mine and smelter. For 30 years the mine produced
nickel, averaging 7,632 tons annually. Mr. Wharton employed 143 men to operate both smelter
and mine.
In 1893 the business halted because of competition from a mine in Sunbury, Canada.
Precision Time Corporation
The largest industry in the community at this time is the Precision Time Corporation. The plant, located on the Lancaster Pike, employs 160 people and hopes to manufacture a half million watches annually. The watches, called "Jaro", are sold on a nationwide basis and are of average cost.
The present factory, the first for the firm, was opened in April, 1959. The corporation president and founder is Willy E. Giroud.
Present Industries
Businesses now in operation are:service station (4); garage(2); used car lot(1); grocerystore (5); drug store (1); dry cleaner (1); hardware store (2); bowling alley (1); restaurant (2); barber shop (2); hotel (2); beauty shop (3); coal, feed and lumber establishment (1); funeral home (1); decorator (3); butcher shop (1); shoe maker (1); cabinet maker(1); sewing factory (1); jeweler (1); electrician (2); builder (3); farm implement shop(1); plumber (4); oil distributor (1); insurance office (3); mason (1); realtor (1); greenhouse (4), and ceramic studio (1), plus the present-day industries previously mentioned in the chapter.
Strasburg Scenes
The Lutherans first became known in Strasburg in 1730, and in 1754 a permanent organization was established and ministered by the Rev. Stoller.
The first building was not in Strasburg but about a mile and a half southeast of the borough. This church was used by the Lutherans and the German Reformed until the latter built a new building of their own in New Providence, leaving the old for the Lutherans. The log building soon became too small, so the Lutherans built on East Main Street in 1806. This building is still used. They adopted their charter in 1822.
Between 1812 and 1816, it is thought the church was without a pastor. In 1816 the congregation petitioned the Rev. John Jacob Strein to serve the people. At once he took charge and is the minister to reside longest at the church.
The First Presbyterian Church
In 1832 there were only six people in Strasburg with a Presbyterian background. Three of these were members of the Leacock Presbyterian Church, and their pastor came to Strasburg one Sunday a month to preach. At a meeting in 1832, 1 9 people were converted at a service and two elders were elected.
William Russel and Davis Shirk organized the first meeting place in the fall of 1832 for the
Presbyterians. The Lutherans, !however, wouldn't let them worship in their church, so the Rev.
John Dicky held services at the Bellevue Church. While building was in progress, services were
held in private homes. The new church was dedicated on December 25, 1833, by Rev. Dicky.
In 1891 Mrs. William Spencer erected a chapel as a memorial to her husband. During 1899 a
belitower was erected, a bell was hung and new pulpit furniture was added.
It was incorporated under the title of The First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg in June, 1907.
In 1956 a new educational wing was built onto the church. It now has several Sunday School
rooms and a pastor's den.
The Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church
In 1791 Bishop Francis Asbury preached in a tavern in Strasburg and said, "I believe we shall have a house of worship, and the Lord will have a people in this place." The following year he again preached in Strasburg and, finally, in 1795 a Methodist church was organized.
The Methodists bought a piece of land for their meetings from John Funk and his wife Anna for $200. The lot was located at the intersection of South Decatur and Funk Streets. The church was built in 1807, a one-story brick building, the gable and front being toward Decatur Street.
After 1836 the first church was not large enough to hold its congregation. The Methodists then bought the David Rohrer School House, located where Bruninger Brother's bakery was and where the Clark Apartments are now located. By 1868 this was remodeled and enlarged.
The Charter of the church was prepared by Jacob Hildebrand in 1864 and was incorporated the same year.
A new chapel and church were built for $12,500 in 1892. In January, 1894, the new building was dedicated clear of debt.
In 1924 the old parsonage was disposed of and a new one built nearer the church. The Methodists have now purchased the Donald Eckert property and are planning to build an educational building on the lot.
Reformed Mennonite Church
A small meeting house on N. Jackson St., orginally used as a school house and bought by the Mennonites in 1870, was used by that group until the 1930's, when it was converted into a dwelling by Oliver Wenger.A new Mennonite church has since been built outside the borough limits.
Education
Strasburg is a leader in education above any other community. Before other communities had thought about an education for their young, Strasburg already had a flourishing school system.
As early as 1790, the Reverend Nathaniel W. Sample, D. D., opened a theological school in Strasburg. A number of Presbyterian divines received their instruction there. Until Reverend Sample's death his service was of much help to this school.
Early in the nineteenth century, there were two important schools in Strasburg. Opposite the
present site of Hood's Pharmacy, a classical school was conducted by Dr. George Duffield.
Another school was established by John Whiteside, in which Latin, Greek and Hebrew were
taught.
The first regular school house in Strasburg was built on North Jackson Street around
1808, over 20 years before the public school law went into effect. It was taught by H. A. Pierce.
About 1812 a Mrs. Haynes opened a private school for girls in a small, one-story log house which stood in the eastern part of the community. Each pupil had to furnish her own supplies.
On January 1, 1803, the Reverend Robert Elliot established a classical academy in Strasburg. In this academy Latin, Greek, history, Math, geography and the English language were taught. A number of students from Lancaster County and other parts of the state and adjoining states attended this school.
On February 13, 1823, an act was passed by the legislature of Pennsylvania to incorporate in Strasburg "an academy or public school for the education of youth in the useful arts, sciences and literature."
When this law was enacted, the second academy came into being.
On May 1, 1838, the Reverend David McCarter established the third academy in Strasburg ~ borough. The academy existed about 20 years and was attended by pupils from the whole state of Pennsylvania, as well as other adjoining states. This academy was built at the former residenceof Dr. W. S. Tinney.
In order to give the girls of Strasburg, as well as those from more distant
places, educational opportunities, Rev. McCarter opened a school in 1841. This was the
"Strasburg Female Seminary."
As early as 1868, the Strasburg Borough High School was built on the corner of Fulton Street and Jackson Street, where the present-day Strasburg Elementary School is standing. The high school was attended by pupils from the borough and surrounding areas. It consisted of elementary, grammar and three-year secondary classes, with a fourth year added somewhat later because of increasing attendance.
In 1947 the high school burned to the ground, and students were forced to attend school in the local churches and other buildings or to go to neighboring districts.
On September 14, 1951, several West Lampeter Township residents indicated their interest in the improvement of the education system to Supervising Principal Robert L. Adams. A Citizen's Committee was formed, and on November 5, 1951, the committee recommended that a plan of operation for a jointure of Lampeter and Strasburg schools should be considered.
On November 4, 1952, the voters were asked to approve a union school district comprising West Lampeter Township, Strasburg Township and Strasburg Borough.
The union school district became official July 1, 1953, consisting of two one-roorn schools; elementary schools at Lampeter, Strasburg cind Willow Street, and a junior-senior high school at Lampeter.
Social Life
Scientific Society
The Scientific Society was organized in November, 1791. The opening address of the first meeting was given by John Shippen, and the Rev. Nathaniel W. Sample, D. D., was elected president.
The meeting place is not known, but it has been said thctt it met in the Washington House, Golden Swan or the public house which stood where the bank now stands.
The society, which lasted for twelve years, was dissolved in February, 1803.
I. 0. 0. F.
In 1849 there were five members in the 1. 0. 0. F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), and shortly after this date the Pequea Lodge transferred members to the Strasburg Lodge.
During the history of the Lodge it has taken in 375 members, its present membership being about 145.
The motto of the Lodge is "Brotherhood Friendship, Love and Truth."
Book Club
T
The Book Club was formed in 1907. Each member purchased a book and encouraged the other members to read it. This club was eventually disbanded.
The Tuesday Club
The Tuesday Club, formed by Mrs. Howard Johnston and Mrs. Maurice Rohrer, was started in 1912. The purpose of the club, which met twice a month, was to study art, music and lit- erature. Their motto was "With Malice Toward None and Charity for All." This club disbanded cifter 14 years.
Lincoln's Birthday Club
This club, which was formed in 1922, played an important part in the social life of Strasburg. The club met at the members' homes when one of them had a birthday. This was also soon disbanded.
W. C. T. U.
The Women's Christian Temperance Union was formed in 1884 in Strasburg. This society was responsible for a drinking fountain at the square, but when the streets were repaired, it had to be removed. This group is no longer in existence.
The Lions Club
The Lions Club, which was founded in 1930, has constantly strived to live up to its
motto, "Liberty, Intelligence and Our Nation's Safety."
This Club has two meetings a month, where a supper is served. The Lions Club helps fellow men in their community and helps with projects by giving money and assistance to the work.
Junior Chamber of Commerce
The J. C.'s, which are a very young but successful group, were founded in April, 1957, by
Charles Good. The members of this organization range in age from 21-35, and their purpose is
training men for future leadership.
Community Band
Strasburg's first community band was organized by John Schelling in 1866. It disbanded after 13 years of service because of lack of funds and players.
The second band was organized as the Citizens' Band in 1881 and a third, the Good Templars, in 1885.
These two bands worked side by side until the Good Templars were forced to sell their equipment to the Citizens' Band.
In 1896 a fourth band, conducted by Henry Fulbright, was organized, only to be replaced by a fifth, directed by Howard Johnson, which got its start when it formed to help a group of camp fire girls hold a
May Pole Dance. This group has since disbanded.
Knights of the Mystic Chain
A group of men organized a chapter of the Ancient Order of Knights of the Mystic Chain. While
the local lodge did not help the lodge at large, it helped the members of its group in time of need.
This lodge has since disbanded.
Biographies
John G. Homsher
John G. Homsher served in the state House of Representatives from 1900 until 1908. He was elected to the state Senate in 1908 and served there until his death in 1938.
Born in East Lampeter Township on July 1, 1859, he moved with his family to Strasburg in 1865.
He was educated in the public schools and was a graduate of Millersville State Normal School. Following graduation, he taught in the public schools, studied law, served as a surveyor and became publisher of the "Strasburg Weekly News."
During his political career, he served 16 years as a justice of the peace. He was a dele- gate to the Republican state convention in 1897 and 1898.
Following his election to the Senate in 1908, fhe worked his way up to the position of pres- iclent pro tempore, an office he held in 1925 and again in 1935.
He died on September 13, 1938.
Frederick L. Homsher
Frederick L. Homsher was a state senator from Strasburg from 1938-1950.
He was born in Strasburg on November 1 9, 1885, and died May 3, 1950. Married to the former Mary E. Bryson, who still resides in Strasburg, he was educated in the public schools, became publisher of the "Strasburg Weekly News," was a state bank examiner and worked at both the Lancaster Trust Company and the Strasburg bank.
He died during a trip to Michigan.
Thomas Burrows
Thomas Henry Burrows was born on No- vember 16, 1805, in Strasburg to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Burrows, who had immigrated from Ireland. Young Burrows was educated well both here and abroad. He attended Trinity College, Dublin, and after returning to this country later attended Yale University, where he took the low course.
In 1829 he was admitted to the Lancaster Bar Association.
Dr. Burrows soon become active in politics and was elected to the state legislature. At the early age of 30, he was appointed Secretary of the Commonwealth under Governor Joseph Ritner. It was in this capacity that this Strasburg citizen achieved his fame.
As Secretary of the Commonwealth, Burrows organized the public school system and with his
support the "Revised School Law of 1836," which is the foundation for our present educational
system, was passed. Burrows also wrote the Normal School Low of Pennsylvania, under which
the normal schools of the state were organized. The bill, passed in 1854, is called by many
historians the best law of its kind ever written in the United States.
The third greatest achievement of his career was the founding of the Soldier's Orphans School, of Pennsylvania. This was one of Dr. Burrows' main interests, and he supported it so actively that it eventually caused him financial disaster.
As the state school system expanded, Dr. Burrows saw the need of a periodical which would keep the educators of the state abreast with the latest educational developments. Accordingly, in 1852, he founded "The Pennsylvania School
Journal," one of the leading educational periodicals in the nation.
After leaving political life Dr. Burrows was elected president of Pennsylvania State College in 1869, a post which he held until his death in 1871. He is buried at St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster.
