Mechanicsburg

Mechanicsburg is situated about midway between Harrisburg and Carlisle. Due to this location, it was a reasonable place to build an inn and tavern which resulted in the beginning of the town. George Frankenberger built a tavern in 1801 as an overnight way station for travelers on their way west to Carlisle.¹ In addition to lodging, many travelers needed repairs to their wagons, thus Drystown, as it was called then, became a settlement of wheel and wagon mechanics, thus the origin of its name, Mechanicsburg.²

With all these activities, the town grew and was incorporated as the Borough of Mechanicsburg in 1828. In 1837, Mechanicsburg gained another reason for growth with the initiation of the Cumberland Valley Railroad with a stop in the town on its way east and west through the Borough. This was a great boost to local commerce.³

Not only commerce grew but also the educational resources available. In addition to the 11 public schools, the Borough had two private institutions of higher learning.⁴ The Cumberland Valley Institute was in the west end of town and the Irving Female College was in the east end of town.⁵ The population grew from 670 in 1840 to 1939 in 1860.⁶

The Civil War brought the death of many young men of Mechanicsburg. The actual invasion of Mechanicsburg by the Confederates in June 1863 brought further disruption to the community. With the end of the Civil War, prosperity began anew, bringing the population to 3,081 in 1876, the year of the Nation’s Centennial Celebration.⁷

Mechanicsburg celebrated the Nation’s birthday in a unique way. The citizens wanted the future residents to remember this period of time, therefore they buried an iron chest with mementos of 1876.⁸ Instructions were left for the citizens of 1976 to open the chest for the Nation’s Bicentennial. There was a gala ceremony for the opening in July of 1976. The Borough decided to bury 1976 mementos that are scheduled to be opened for the Nation’s 300^th Anniversary. The 1876 mementos are being preserved by the Mechanicsburg Museum Association.⁹

Mechanicsburg celebrated its own Centennial in 1928. In 1925 the Borough had 3 fire companies, 15 churches, 9 physicians, 22 grocers, 5 restaurants and numerous retail stores.¹⁰ Another gala celebration occurred for the 150^th Anniversary in 1978.

In addition to its historic significance, Mechanicsburg is also noted nationally for the home of Pennsylvania’s largest one-day street fair, Jubilee Day. The street fair started in 1923 as the Farmers and Merchants Jubilee Day. It is now held annually on the third Thursday of June. Sections of Main and Market Streets are closed for the day and lined with vendors of all varieties. Special events for young and old plus a variety of entertainment are provided for all.