Hanover Street

African American Refreshment Houses and Oyster Cellars of Carlisle: Operated by John B. Vashon, John Peck, Lewis Robinson in 1820s

John Vashon

The 1820s saw the rise of Refreshment Houses and Oyster Cellars in Carlisle; many operated by African Americans such as Lewis Robinson, barber John Peck, and John B. Vashon, also a barber. These establishments were seasonal, usually in rented spaces and often in the cellars of taverns. Fare typically consisted of oysters served fried, stewed, pickled or roasted, as well as tripe, pigs’ feet and turtle soup.

Stephen Vincent Benet

Summer after summer Stephen Benet and his siblings,who were all writers, visited their maternal grandparents William and Mary (Mahon) Rose who resided in a Carlisle home located at the northwest corner of North Hanover and West Penn Streets.

Memories of Blanche L. Dum and her niece Margaret Anne

The 19th and 20th century memories of Blanche Lightner Dum and her niece Margaret Anne “Peggy” provide personal glimpses of life in Landisburg and Carlisle. Blanche was born in 1886 to George Billow Dum/Thommen and his wife Annie Simons Spotts/Spatz, both born 1863. Thus, Blanche was a granddaughter of Samuel Spotts and his 2nd wife Mary Jane Baker, and of John Dum and Mary Catherine Tressler/Dressler.1 Blanche wrote of her knowledge of her mother’s preparations for marriage as follows:

Pete Ellerman

Screenshot of Pete Ellerman from Interview

Interview of Pete Ellerman of the Union Fire Company by Randy Watts on March 21, 2016. The interview focuses on the Union Fire Company in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as well as fire fighting in general.

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