Chapter 2 Historic and Cultural Resources
HISTORIC RESOURCES
INTRODUCTION
Historic resources include buildings, districts or groups of buildings and sites of national, state, or local historical, cultural, engineering, architectural, and archaeological significance. A wealth of these resources is found throughout Perry County and the surrounding area. The chapter includes among its highlights, an inventory of the Bureau of Historical and National Register/Listed and Eligible Properties, a listing of historical markers, and a list of historic districts.
HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT
The settlement of Perry County began as traders followed the Native American trails into what was then Cumberland County. The Iroquois drove the first settlers from their lands, as these areas had not been purchased from the Iroquois. Andrew Montour was the first authorized settler in what is now Perry County following the signing of an agreement with the Native Americans on April 18, 1752.
The Penn’s purchased the land, which is now Perry County in 1754. The settlers came to Perry County in 1755 with the opening of the land office for settlement of lands, on February 3, 1755. In 1755, George Robinson built a fort to protect against the Staff Digital Photograph of the History of Perry Native Americans in Sherman Valley, along Bixler County by H. H. Hain, Published 1922 Run. After 1760, many more pioneers of Scotch Irish descent came over the mountains from the Cumberland Valley followed by settlers of German descent. By 1767, the best farm plots were claimed and by 1778, most of the land in the County was spoken for.
Perry County was part of Cumberland County and was created by an act signed by the governor William Fidley on March 22, 1820. The county was named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry an American naval hero of an engagement with England on Lake Erie in the War of 1812. Perry County became the 51st County in Pennsylvania. This was the time when the fifth President of the United States, James Monroe was serving the third year of his eight-year term. Initially the County was compromised of seven (7) townships: Tyrone, Toboyne, Rye, Greenwood, Juniata, Buffalo and Saville with Landisburg as the first County Seat.
The first Court of Common Pleas ever held in Perry County was convened in Landisburg on December 4, 1820. The County Seat was later moved to lands donated by George Barnett in 1824 at its present location in Bloomfield Borough. The removal of the public documents from Landisburg to Bloomfield took place on March 12 and 13, 1827.
During the first half of the 1800s, the County was traversed by numerous roads including the William Penn Highway (Routes 22/322) and the Susquehanna Trail (Routes 11/15). One of the major vehicles used on these roads were Conestoga Wagons that were ferried across the
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Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers at Clark’s Ferry. By 1849, the railroad was built from Harrisburg to Lewistown and became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1857. The railroad replaced the Pennsylvania Canal, which began operation in 1829. Today the railroad still functions along with modern highway systems such as U.S. Routes 11/15 and 22/322, which cross Perry County.
Today Perry County is largely a forested and agricultural County as it was when it was first settled. The principal crops grown by the early settlers were wheat, barley, oats, rye, buckwheat, and corn. Today, the farm economy centers on dairy, followed by other livestock and poultry. Field crops still have a significant place in the farm economy. By the middle 1800s, the industries included iron furnaces, tanneries, distilleries, fulling mills, woolen manufacturing, and flourmills. Duncannon had the largest iron foundry and rail factory that operated for more than fifty years to the end of the century.
The formation of the Townships, Towns and Boroughs is shown in Tables 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3.
TABLE 2-1 FORMATION OF TOWNSHIPS
Township Year Formed From Line of Descent Comprised of all of Perry County lying west of the Tyrone 1754 Original Township Juniata River Originally included Jackson Township and Madison Toboyne 1763 Tyrone Township Township Originally included Penn Township, Wheatfield Township, Miller Township, Oliver Township, Rye 1766 Tyrone Township Juniata Township, Tuscarora Township, and parts of Centre Township and Carroll Township. Also sites of Newport Borough and Bloomfield Borough Fermanagh was an original township of the purchase of 1754 in Cumberland County. Greenwood Greenwood 1767 Fermanagh Township Township included that part of Perry County east of the Juniata River and south of Cocolamus Creek Originally contained all of Tuscarora Township and Oliver Township, and parts of Miller Township and Juniata 1793 Rye Township Centre Township. Also sites of Newport Borough and Bloomfield Borough Originally included all of Howe Township and Watts Buffalo 1799 Greenwood Township Township, and site of New Buffalo Borough Originally included a part of Centre Township and a Saville 1817 Tyrone Township small strip of Madison Township Originally in Greenwood Township. Includes Liverpool 1823 Greenwood Township Liverpool Borough Included all of Penn and parts of Miller Township, Wheatfield 1826 Rye Township Centre Township and Carroll Township. Also site of Duncannon Township Saville Township, Juniata Originally contained parts of Oliver Township, 1831 Township, Wheatfield Centre Miller Township, Carroll Township and Spring Township, and Tyrone Township Township
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Tyrone Township, Rye Carroll 1834 Township and Wheatfield Originally contained part of Spring Township Township Toboyne Township and a small strip from both Includes Sandy Hill District (Northeast Madison Madison 1836 Saville Township, and Township) Tyrone Township Juniata Township, Centre Originally included part of Miller and all of Howe Oliver 1837 Township and Buffalo Township. Also site of Newport Borough Township Once part of Tyrone Township, then Rye Township, Penn 1840 Wheatfield Township then Wheatfield Township First part of Tyrone Township Jackson 1844 Toboyne Township Contains site of Blain Borough Tyrone Township and a Spring 1848 Once part of Tyrone Township strip of Centre Township Once part of Greenwood Township. New Buffalo Watts 1849 Buffalo Twp within its confines Oliver and Wheatfield Originally part of Rye Township. Once part of Oliver Miller 1852 Townships Township and Wheatfield Township Greenwood and Juniata Originally in Greenwood Township and Juniata Tuscarora 1859 Townships Township Howe 1861 Oliver Township Originally in Greenwood, then Buffalo, then Oliver
SOURCE: History of Perry County, by H.H. Hain, Published 1922
TABLE 2-2 LAYING OUT OF TOWNS
Town Year Then Located In Adjoining Township Millerstown 1790 Greenwood Township Greenwood Township
Petersburg (now Duncannon) 1792 Rye Township Penn Township
Landisburg 1793 Tyrone Township Tyrone Township Reider’s Ferry (now Newport) 1804 Juniata Township Oliver Township Liverpool 1808 Greenwood Township Liverpool Township New Germantown 1816 Toboyne Township Toboyne Township Ickesburg 1816 Saville Township Saville Township Baughmanstown 1820 Buffalo Township Watts Township (now New Buffalo) Bloomfield 1823 Juniata Township Centre Township Andesville (now Loysville) 1840 Tyrone Township Tyrone Township Blain 1846 Jackson Township Jackson Township Haley (Marysville) 1861 Rye Township Rye Township and Penn Township
SOURCE: History of Perry County, by H.H. Hain, Published 1922
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TABLE 2-3 INCORPORATION OF BOROUGHS
Name Year Location When Formed Location Now – Other Data Bloomfield 1831 Juniata Township Centre Township - County Seat Tyrone Township - Temporary Landisburg 1831 Tyrone Township County Seat Liverpool 1832 Liverpool Township Liverpool Township
Newport 1840 Oliver Township Oliver Township Penn Township - Name changed to Petersburg 1844 Penn Township Duncannon Borough and (Duncannon) reincorporated in 1865 New Buffalo 1848 Buffalo Township Watts Township Rye Township borders Penn Haley (Marysville) 1866 Rye Township Township - Name changed to Marysville Borough in 1867. Blain 1877 Jackson Township Jackson Township
SOURCE: History of Perry County, H.H. Hain, Published 1922
INVENTORY OF HISTORIC PLACES
The Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission (PHMC) maintains a listing of the entire National Register of listed and eligible properties. Table 2-4 identifies the National Register/Listed and Eligible Properties in Perry County. The Pennsylvania Bureau for Historic Preservation is part of the PHMC and administers the state’s historical preservation programs. The locations of these properties are shown on Map 2-1.
TABLE 2-4 PERRY COUNTY PROPERTIES LISTED AND ELIGIBLE FOR STATE AND FEDERAL HISTORIC RECOGNITION
Municipality Historic Name Location Listed Eligible Blain Borough Blain Bank Route 274 4/8/92 New Bloomfield Historic Bloomfield Borough Bloomfield Borough 9/23/92 District Bloomfield Borough Perry County Courthouse Center Square 2/24/75 Buffalo Township Crow-Kvaternick Routes 11/15 & 34 11/30/89 Susquehanna River at Buffalo Township Kramer/Crow Ferry Site 1/13/86 Millersburg Buffalo Township Montgomery Ferry House Routes 11/15 2/28/90 Buffalo Township Montgomery Ferry Inn Routes 11/15 2/28/90 Buffalo Township Mount Patrick Inn (demolished) Routes 11/15 2/28/90
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Centre Township Clay’s Covered Bridge Little Buffalo State Park 8/25/80 Centre Township Darlington/ Fleisher House Route 274 9/4/00 Duncannon Borough Clark’s Tavern Market Street 3/20/80 Jackson Township Book’s Covered Bridge L.R. 50054 8/25/80 Jackson Township Mt. Pleasant Covered Bridge T-304 8/25/80 New Germantown Covered Jackson Township T-302 8/25/90 Bridge Western Sherman’s Creek West/ Upper Sherman’s Jackson Township 10/29/99 Valley Historic District Creek Valley Juniata Township Little Buffalo Historic District Little Buffalo State Park 4/3/78 Landisburg Borough Dunbar-Creigh House Water Street 8/25/80 Liverpool Township Hall-Klinepeter House Routes 11/15 2/28/90 Liverpool Township Liverpool Historic District Liverpool 2/28/90 Liverpool Township Pennay Farmstead Routes 11/15 8/30/91 Liverpool Township Red Covered Bridge L.R. 50023 8/25/80 Newport Borough Bridge in Newport Borough Route 34 6/22/88 Newport Borough Newport Historic District Newport Borough 3/12/99 Northeast Madison Waggoner Covered Bridge T-579 8/25/80 Oliver Township Fleisher Covered Bridge T-477 6/22/88 Saville Township Kochendefer Covered Bridge T-332 8/25/80 Saville Township Saville Covered Bridge L.R. 50037 3/12/99 Southwest Madison Adairs Covered Bridge L.R. 50009 8/25/80 Township Southwest Madison Bistline Covered Bridge L.R. 50008 8/25/80 Township Toboyne Township Hotel New Germantown 8/2/01 Lupfer, Israel & Sammuel, Toboyne Township Black Hollow Road 3/18/88 Tannery Site & House Toboyne Township Martin House Route 274 6/6/90 Toboyne Township O’Donel House & Farm Route 274 7/17/86 Western Sherman’s Creek West/ Upper Sherman’s Toboyne Township 10/29/99 Valley Historic District Creek Valley Tyrone Township Rice Covered Bridge T-333 8/25/80 Tyrone Township Waggoner Covered Bridge T-579 8/25/80 Western Sherman’s Creek Tyrone Township 10/29/99 Valley Historic District Pennsylvania Canal, Watts Township Routes 11/15 8/11/89 Susquehanna Division Wheatfield Township Delville Covered Bridge T-456 8/25/80
SOURCE: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Bureau of Historic Preservation
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The Bureau manages the National Register of Historic Places. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, and buildings, objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. The Bureau works with individuals, communities, local government and state and federal agencies to educate Pennsylvanians about our heritage and its values to build better communities through preservation. The PHMC also conducts a landmark identification program, which presents plaques (Historic markers) Staff Digital Photograph: Newport Borough Historic to property owners with either statewide and District nationally recognized properties with historic significance. Descriptions of the Historic Markers are shown in Table 2-5.
TABLE 2-5 HISTORICAL MARKERS IN PERRY COUNTY
Marker Name: Carson Long Military Institute Date Dedicated: May 9, 1987 Location: North Carlisle Street at the school, New Bloomfield Marker Type Roadside Category: Military and Education A military school since 1919, it is the oldest in Pennsylvania. Originally Bloomfield Academy, founded in 1837. Owned 1914-21 by Theodore K. Long and renamed as a Marker Text: memorial to his son, William Carson Long. First building, “The Maples,” was completed in 1840.
Marker Name: Centre Church Date Dedicated: February 13, 1948 Location: Junction PA 850 and PA 274, 2.1 miles West of Loysville Marker Type Roadside Category: Unavailable Marker Text: Early church north of Blue Mountains. Presbyterian settlers had held services at “George Robinson’s” before Rev. Charles Beatty preached there, August 19, 1766. Their log church was at site of the present one, beyond Fort Robinson.
Marker Name: Dr. Elizabeth Reifsnyder Date Dedicated: July 7, 1947 Location: U.S. Routes 11 and 15, Liverpool Marker Type Roadside Category: Women, Religious, Professions, and Vocations Marker Text: Dr. Elizabeth Reifsnyder, M.D., a pioneer medical missionary to China for more than thirty years, lived in this house both before and after her work abroad. Born 1858, she died here in 1922.
Marker Name: Fort Robinson Date Dedicated: April 28, 1947 Location: Junction PA 74 and 850, 2.1 miles West of Loysville Marker Type Roadside Category: Military, Native American
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Marker Text: Pioneers’ stronghold built in 1755 on land of George Robinson; in use for several years as refuge from Indian attacks. The site was about a mile away on the roadside.
Marker Name: James A. Beaver Date Dedicated: April 19, 1948 Location: U.S. Routes 22 and 322 Marker Type Roadside Category: Governments and Politics, Military Marker Text: Civil War hero; Governor of Pennsylvania, 1887-1891; a Superior Court Judge, 1895- 1905, was born in Millerstown October 21, 1837. A plaque marks site. His adult life was spent at Bellefonte where he died on January 31, 1914.
Marker Name: John Bannister Gibson Date Dedicated: July 25, 1947 Location: PA 850, 1.2 miles West of Drumgold Marker Type Roadside Category: Government and Politics Marker Text: Born November 8, 1780, in a house near here. Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, 1827-1851. This was also the birthplace of William Bigler, Governor of Pennsylvania, 1852-55, U.S. Senator, 1856-61.
Marker Name: Lightning Glider Sleds Date Dedicated: July 8, 1992 Location: 722 N. Market Street, Duncannon Marker Type Roadside Category: Business and Industry Marker Text: Produced between 1904 and 1988 by the Standard Novelty Works, located here. In 1920 the plant was credited with producing more children’s sleds than any other U.S. factory; its capacity was then 1,600 to 1,800 per day. The company also made children’s wagons, porch swings, porch gates, and furniture products. Established 1904 by William Wills and P.F. Duncan, the plant was closed in October 1990.
Marker Name: Millersburg Ferry Date Dedicated: May 20, 1973 Location: U.S. Routes 11 and 15 South of Liverpool, near Junction PA 34 Marker Type Roadside Category: Transportation Marker Text: The only surviving ferry service across the Susquehanna began as early as 1825. Boats were pulled by manpower until 1873, when the first paddle wheel was acquired. In the 1920’s, gasoline engines replaced steam power, and the paddle wheels were shifted from the side to the stern. The ferry landing is a short distance east.
Marker Name: Pennsylvania Canal (Juniata Division) Date Dedicated: June 12, 2002 Location: U.S. Routes 11 and 15 (East Side), Southwest of Amity Hall, Duncannon Marker Type Roadside Category: Transportation Marker Text: This Division was built in 1828-33. It extended to the eastern end of the Allegheny Portage Railroad at Hollidaysburg, a distance of 127 miles. Just west of here, the Canal crossed the Juniata by an aqueduct, which was used until 1901. Abutment and piers remain.
Marker Name: Pennsylvania Canal Date Dedicated: June 12, 1952
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Location: U.S. Routes 11 and 15 (West Side), Southwest of Amity Hall, Duncannon Marker Type Roadside Category: Transportation Marker Text: This State-owned artificial waterway system, built 1826-1834, was designed to connect points like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Erie in a vast inland trade. It embraced six chief canal divisions and two railroads. Here the Susquehanna, Juniata, and Eastern Divisions joined in the canal basin.
Marker Name: Pennsylvania Canal (Susquehanna Division) Date Dedicated: June 12, 1952 Location: U.S. Routes 11 and 15 just North of Amity Hall, Duncannon Marker Type Roadside Category: Transportation Marker Text: Built 1828-1831; operated until 1901. It extended from Duncan’s Island to Northumberland. In its 41-mile course, the Division embraced 13 locks, 7 aqueducts, old Shamokin Dam, and West Branch Towpath Bridge. Traces of the Canal can be seen at points along this road.
Marker Name: Pennsylvania Canal (Susquehanna Division) Date Dedicated: June 12, 1952 Location: U.S. 11 and 15 just North of Liverpool Marker Type Roadside Category: Transportation Marker Text: Here is Lift Lock No. 5 of this Division. Through it thousands of canal boats, bearing products from various points along the North and West Branches of the Susquehanna, passed annually until 1901, with their destination Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore.
Marker Name: Perry County Date Dedicated: October 21, 2002 Location: County Courthouse, New Bloomfield Square Marker Type City Category: Government and Politics Marker Text: Formed March 22, 1820 from Cumberland County. Named for Oliver Hazard Perry, War of 1812 hero. Birthplace of two governors of Pennsylvania, one of California, and one of Minnesota. The County Seat (P.O., New Bloomfield) was incorporated in 1831.
Marker Name: Rockville Bridge Date Dedicated: September 21, 1986 Location: U.S. Routes 11 and 15 at North end of Marysville Marker Type Roadside Category: Transportation Marker Text: The longest stone masonry arch railroad bridge in the world, one mile to the south, was built 1900-1902. With forty-eight arches, it has length of 3,820 feet. This was the third bridge constructed here by the Pennsylvania Railroad. A wooden structure had been built 1847-1849, followed by an iron bridge in 1877.
Marker Name: William Bigler Date Dedicated: July 3, 1951 Location: Junction PA 34 and 850, Dromgold Marker Type Roadside Category: Government and Politics Marker Text: Governor of Pennsylvania, 1852-1855; birthplace, about one mile west of here. In office he opposed the chartering of wildcat banks and passage of “omnibus” bills. U.S. Senator,
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1856-1861. A brother, John, also born here, was Governor of California, 1852-1856.
SOURCE: Pennsylvania Historical Marker Program, Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission (PHMC), Bureau of Historic Preservation. Historical Markers are a trademark ® of the PHMC
Table 2-6 identifies the two designated Historic Districts in the county. One is located in the Little Buffalo State Park and the other is located in Newport Borough and Oliver Township (See Map 2-2).
TABLE 2-6 PERRY COUNTY HISTORIC DISTRICTS
Name Little Buffalo Historic District
Area 450 acres Southwest of Newport off of State Route 34
Historical Significance Event, Architecture/Engineering Area of Significance Industry, Architecture Period of Significance 1800-1824, 1825-1849 Buildings and Structures 4 buildings and 2 structures
Name Newport Historic District 1440 acres roughly bounded by Fickes Lane, Oliver St., Front St., Little Buffalo Area Creek, Bloomfield Ave., and Sixth St. in Newport Borough and Oliver Township Historical Significance Architecture/Engineer, Event
Period of Significance 1800-1824, 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899, 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Buildings and Structures 418 buildings and 2 structures
SOURCE: National Register of Historic Places, National Parks Service, Department of the Interior
PERRY COUNTY OWNED COVERED BRIDGES
There are presently fourteen county owned covered bridges in the county. Each bridge has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION GROUPS
The Perry County Historians, Historical Society of Perry County, Newport Revitalization and Preservation Society, Inc., and the Liverpool Borough Historians are four county organizations working to preserve history in their respective areas.
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TABLE 2-7 HISTORIC PRESERVATION GROUP PURCHASED LANDS
Historic Historic Site Address Preservation Group 762 Dix Hill Road, Airy View School Perry Historians New Bloomfield, PA 17068 1236 Lower Bailey Road, Caroline Furnace Perry Historians Newport, PA 17074 Cochran-Anspach 30 West Market Street, Perry County House Millerstown, PA 17062 Historical Society SOURCE: Perry County Assessment Office assessment database, January 25, 2013
HISTORY OF PLANNING ACTIVITY IN PERRY COUNTY
A concise record of planning activity within the County is finally being kept to document membership on an annual basis. The following four tables
TABLE 2-8 ESTABLISHMENT OF MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSIONS
Date or Year Ordinance Municipality Number of Members Established Number
Bloomfield Borough July 8, 1975 131 5 Buffalo Township 1983 4 7 Carroll Township Unknown 5 Minimum of 5 Maximum Centre Township 1976 Unknown of 7 Duncannon Borough August 8, 1977 198 3 June 13, 1990 Greenwood Township Amended Unknown 5 With 1 Alternate May 17, 2000 Howe Township August 4, 1984 9 7 Juniata Township March, 1969 60 5 6 current Liverpool Borough Unknown Maximum of 7 Liverpool Township August 3, 1991 Unknown 5 Marysville Borough 1971 7
Miller Township Unknown 5
Newport Borough Unknown 5 Oliver Township Unknown Unknown 5 Penn Township 1969 Unknown 5 Rye Township January 28, 1966 7 7
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Saville Township Unknown 5 Spring Township February 8, 1990 Unknown 5 Tuscarora Township April 6, 1979 Unknown 7 6 current Tyrone Township Unknown Maximum of 7 Watts Township May 7, 1979 1-79 5 Wheatfield Township Unknown 5
TABLE 2-9 MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING EFFORTS
Ordinance/ Initial Date or Year of Date or Year of Municipality Resolution Comprehensive Plan Comprehensive Plan Number Adoption Update(s) Bloomfield Borough Unknown April, 1975 Not Applicable
Buffalo Township Unknown April 17, 1995 Not Applicable
Carroll Township Unknown August, 1987 Not Applicable
Duncannon Borough Unknown October 8, 1984 Not Applicable
Greenwood Township Unknown 1994 2008
Howe Township Unknown 1983 1988
Juniata Township 4-1-93 April 14, 1993 Not Applicable
Liverpool Borough Unknown 1973 Not Applicable
Liverpool Township Unknown 2002 Not Applicable
Marysville Borough Unknown 1971 2003
Millerstown Borough Unknown 2008 Not Applicable
New Buffalo Borough Unknown 1996 Not Applicable
Newport Borough Unknown 1995 Not Applicable Northeast Madison Unknown 2003 Not Applicable Township Penn Township Unknown March 30, 1994 Not Applicable
Rye Township Unknown June 28, 1999 Not Applicable Southwest Madison Unknown 2003 Not Applicable Township Spring Township Unknown 1991 Not Applicable
Tuscarora Township Unknown 2008 Not Applicable
Tyrone Township Unknown 1995 Not Applicable
Watts Township Unknown May 4, 1998 Not Applicable
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Wheatfield Township 3 December 3, 1974 Not Applicable
TABLE 2-10 MUNICIPAL SUBDIVISION & LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCES
Adoption Date Adoption Date Ordinance or Year of Ordinance or Year of Prior Municipality Amendments Number Current S&LD Number S&LD Ordinance Ordinance(s) Not Bloomfield Borough Unknown April, 1975 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable Buffalo Township Unknown 1986 Unknown March 21, 1988 Not Applicable Carroll Township Unknown February, 2003 59 March 6, 2012 Not Applicable Nov. 6, 2000 June 6, 1979 Centre Township 1-98 May 4, 1998 1-2008 July 1, 2008 (Ord.#79-1) January 5, 2009 Duncannon Borough Unknown May 19, 1979 Unknown 1982 Not Applicable June 13, 1990 Greenwood Township 191 June 14, 2006 Unknown July 18, 2001 (Ord. #183) Not June 15, 1985, Howe Township 10 March 10, 2005 Not Applicable Applicable January 4, 1993 Not Juniata Township Unknown June 9, 2010 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable Not Liverpool Borough Unknown March 9, 1992 Not Applicable 1974 Applicable Not Liverpool Township 14 February 7, 1994 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable 515B June 11, 2001 517B June 11, 2001 Marysville Borough 496 April 12, 1999 1968 538 August 12, 2002 553 May 10, 2004 September 27, Miller Township Unknown March, 2002 95-1 July 2, 1991 1995 Not Newport Borough Unknown October 5, 1999 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable (Res. #99- December 13, Oliver Township Unknown June 14, 1999 Not Applicable 003) 1999 Not Sept. 30, 1992 Penn Township 103 of 1992 June 28, 2006 Not Applicable Applicable (Ord.# 103) May 10, 1972 (Ord. of 1972), December 14, Not Rye Township 09-03 Not Applicable (Ord. #1 of 2009 Applicable 1985), and 1990 Not Saville Township Unknown February 5, 2007 Not Applicable 1979 Applicable Not Spring Township Unknown 1990 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable Not Tuscarora Township Unknown October 2, 1992 Not Applicable 1981 Applicable Not Tyrone Township Unknown 1990 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable Not Watts Township 80-1 June 2, 1980 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable Wheatfield Township Unknown February 25, (Res.#3-88) March 7, 1988 Not Applicable
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1988 52-10-06 October 2, 2006 53-03-07 April 2, 2007 54-03-07 April 2, 2007
TABLE 2-11 MUNICIPAL ZONING ORDINANCES
Adoption Date, Adoption Date or Ordinance Ordinance Year, or Ord. # of Municipality Year of Current Amendments Number Number Prior Zoning Zoning Ordinance Ordinance(s) Bloomfield Borough Unknown April, 1975 Unknown November, 1993 February, 1980 Carroll Township Unknown February, 2003 60 March 6, 2012 February 3, 1990 Duncannon Borough Unknown April 16, 1996 360 June 15, 2010 October 8, 1984 Nov.16, 1997 Greenwood Township 190 April 16, 1997 192 April 16, 2008 (Ord. #188) Not Howe Township Unknown June 3, 1998 Not Applicable July 5, 1990 Applicable Juniata Township Unknown July 28, 1993 2010-2 February 10, 2010 Not Applicable 1-90, August 13, 1990, 4-93, Sept. 13, 1993, 3-94, Dec. 12, 1994, Liverpool Borough Unknown October 14, 1991 Not Applicable 2-96, Sept. 9, 1996, 5-96, October 14, 1996, 2-2005 Feb. 14, 2005 Not Liverpool Township Unknown August 28, 2002 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable 485, Unknown, 486, Unknown, 503, Sept. 13, 1999, Marysville Borough 462 August 14, 1995 507B, August 14, 2000, 1971 508A, August 14, 2000, 553, May 10, 2004, 564 August 8, 2005 Millerstown Borough 90 Unknown 165 June 23, 1997 Not Applicable Not Newport Borough Unknown October 5, 2000 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable 2005-03, Dec. 28, 2005, Penn Township 2003-06 July 23, 2003 Not Applicable 2009-02 October 25, 2009 Rye Township 11-01 February 28, 2011 11-05 Sept. 26, 2011 (Ord. #03-01) Not Tuscarora Township 91-1 1992 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable Not Tyrone Township Unknown October 1, 1996 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable Not Watts Township Unknown November 5, 2001 Not Applicable Not Applicable Applicable 35-01-03, January 6, 2003, 42-01-04, January 5, 2004, 48-11-04, Nov. 1, 2004, April 21, 1975 Wheatfield Township 23-1293 December 16, 1993 51-6-06, July 3, 2006, (Ord. #21-75) 54-03-07, April 2, 2007, 55-04-08 April 7, 2008
HISTORY LOST
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Since the last Plan in 2007 the County has lost three significant structures. The first was the Perry County Manor which was razed by the owner. This 4-story structure located at 1079 Montour Road, near the Village of Loysville was something to behold to anyone not familiar with this portion of Perry County. A 4-story brick building in an area were ambitions would rarely lead one to erect such a configuration.
The second was the Amity Hall Hotel which was all but lost to arson. The building located at 6 River Road, Duncannon suffered an all too familiar fate for idle and empty historic structures. This should serve as a lesson of susceptibility, without the watchful eye of others such buildings become increasingly vulnerable to various forms of vandalism.
The third noteworthy loss was the iron Delville Bridge spanning Shermans Creek. The bridge fell victim to an overweight dump truck hauling stone. The damage led to the Bridge’s closure, which in turn necessitated the fast-track design and replacement of the structure. The bridge was located near the eastern end of SR 2002 (Deville Road) in Penn Township.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
PERRY COUNTY CULTURE
Many community events like fairs and festivals run throughout the year, showcasing much of what Perry County has to offer. The Perry County Fair runs during the Month of August each year providing visitors with a small window of opportunity to share with the agricultural community. Officials with Little Buffalo State Park coordinate the Christmas Walk. Many of the County’s citizens and municipal officials have also coordinated and planned events to celebrate municipal milestones, for their municipal existence.
The Perry County Fair is held on the Perry County fairground property in Oliver Township just north of Newport Borough. The week-long event is a must attend for the mainstream Perry County resident, and those wanting to experience a bit of rural living.
The Sherman’s Valley Heritage Days festival in Blain is held annually on the second sequential Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the month of October.
On June 2, 2012 Duncannon Borough was designated an Appalachian Trail Community by the Appalachian Trail Conference. The event was aptly titled “Saving our Community from Nature Deficit Disorder” and helped to strengthen the heritage of the trail with its already established historic river town image.
CHURCHES
Churches are a primary conduit for social interaction in the County. There are over one hundred twenty churches in the county a thorough listing of which can be found in the community facilities and utilities chapter of the plan.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
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There are many civic-minded groups that continue to shape the county’s culture. Some of these include the Perry County Literacy Council, the Perry County Council of the Arts (PCCA), several Lions Club chapters, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion, the Boys and Girls Scouts, the 4-H, the Perry County Grange, the Perry County Chamber of Commerce, and the Masons.
The arts and entertainment community also have a strong foundation which will further efforts to strengthen the County’s heritage. The PCCA is the organizing body for the Arts Festival at Little Buffalo State Park although this is only a portion of the work this non-for profit group undertakes.
The PCCA also oversees and maintains the Landis House which doubles as the administrative office for the PCCA and a focal point for the group’s numerous arts and entertainment venues. Not to be overlooked is the adaptive reuse of this historic Newport home which in and of itself serves to maintain the Landis family legacy, housing many of the family’s entrusted pieces of art and furnishings. The Council’s website is http://www.perrycountyarts.org
As mentioned in the 2007 Plan, a strong German community exists within Perry County, contributing a great deal to the culture. The contributions this community has made here in the County is certainly comprehensive and worthy of inclusion in this plan. Whether it is housing construction and repair, the agricultural and cottage industry, horse and buggy or bicycle, this community’s presence is significant. With the increase in this community’s population comes the need for land use considerations.
In 2011 there were 61,270 Amish living in 54 recognized settlements in Pennsylvania.1 Here in Perry County there are Beachy Amish, Amish Mennonites, New Order Amish, Old Order Amish, and Plain-dressed Mennonites.
LAND CONNECTIONS AND THE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
In consideration of Perry County’s largest land use, forestry contributes greatly to the local economy. Forest resources are used by many within and outside the county. As the county’s largest land use, the resources yielded by the industry contribute greatly to the economy. Due largely to the topographic features and development limitations/ constraints within the county, public and private forest holdings continue to dominate the county landscape and its open space.
As the county’s second largest land use category, the agricultural heritage that exists must not be overlooked. Farmers have helped to maintain a fabric of open space through the County. The farming community’s contributions are immense when one considers their reinvestment within communities. The time and toil of raising animals and crops commands this deserved recognition.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The abundance of historically recognized structures in the county comprises the primary pillars supporting our culture. On the flip side, the reverse can be also be said; as the county’s prior
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Together throughout time, these two elements will remain complementing agents of one another. Completely intertwined, culture and history can only be strengthened by way of protection and education. Whether the protections will be implemented by way of social/ cultural group initiatives, government imposed regulation, or stewardship on the part of private citizens by way of stewardship remains to be seen. The one thing that is known is without initiative protecting the county’s history and culture will not be possible. The county is blessed by having the level of interest offered up by the previously mentioned organizations. Their various efforts are helping to strengthen the county’s cultural heritage for all.
1 Amish Studies website: http://www2.etown.edu/amishstudies/Population_by_State_2011.asp
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