Trains in Song and Poetry
“… All through the meadows the horses and cattle:
All of the sights of the hill and the plain
Fly as thick as driving rain;
And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
Painted stations whistle by …”1
Browse Encyclopedia
The Cumberland County Historical Encyclopedia is an expanding publication on the history of the Cumberland County. Covering a wide range of topics and the entire Cumberland County geographic region, the Encyclopedia seeks to be an initial entry point to those interested in the County's history. Entries seek to provide a list of resources available as well as showcasing some of the Cumberland County Historical Society's own collections.
John Trough: Carlisle Potter and Tavernkeeper
John Trough was the only potter in Carlisle from 1806 through at least 1835. Trough (spelled Drach in German) was the son of Adam and Eve Drach of Haycock Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.1 Rudolph Drach, possibly John’s relative, was also a Bucks County potter, and several examples of his signed pieces are known.
Elizabeth Callio Trout (1813-1893): French Huguenot
As a tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Trout’s standing the community, the Daily Evening Sentinel ran a lengthy obituary on December 28, 1893. “Death of Mrs. Trout. A Prominent Carlisle Woman Passes Away.
28th “Iron” Division
During the nation’s history, many military units have been called up for service. Each has fought in one, or several conflicts concerning the United States. But the longest serving unit is the 28th Infantry Division, otherwise known as the Iron Division.
Two Butchers in Early Twentieth Century Newburg: Samuel O. Rebuk and Frank A. Latsbaugh
Samuel Otterbein Rebok (1874-1933) owned a butcher shop at 17 Main Street, Newburg, Hopewell Township, and Frank A. Latsbaugh (B: about 1878) owned one at #34 of the same. Both appear at these addresses in the 1930 census. The shops were located about 5.5 miles from Shippensburg University.
Nicholas Ulerich: Tavernkeeper
Encouraged by the editor of the Carlisle Herald newspaper to submit reminiscences for the entertainment of his readers, James Miller McKim wrote several lengthy articles under the pen name AGC. (A Genuine Carlisler.) The February 8, 1872 edition of the newspaper contained McKim’s reminiscences of Carlisle in the 1820s and 1830s and included memories of Nicholas Ulrich and his tavern. McKim wrote:
The Union Fire Company
The Union Fire Company was organized on April 6, 1789 by a group of citizens that had joined together to order a fire engine after a devastating fire in the fall of 1788. By January of 1790 the engine was housed in a shed built to the west of the Court House in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Pat Vance – Nurse, Politician, State Senator
Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1936, Pat attended William Penn High School and graduated from the Harrisburg Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. Afterwards she worked as a pediatric surgical nurse at the Harrisburg Hospital and then later held a position as Charge Nurse in a long-term car
Christopher Vanlear: 18th Century Waggoner and Tavernkeeper
In 2015, the Cumberland County Historical Society purchased Christopher Vanlear’s tavern ledger.1 The entries in his ledger provide a new source of information about the Colonial and Revolutionary War eras in Carlisle, a town of major importance on the Pennsylvania frontier.2
Velocipede Mania
Velocipedes were all the rage in Paris, and by November 1868 they had made their appearance on the streets of New York and were causing a sensation.