American Historic
Small-Town Itineraries
Located in a rich agricultural region known as the Cumberland Valley in South
Central Pennsylvania,
Mechanicsburg was named for a settlement of
mechanics who made and repaired Conestoga wagons in the early 19th
century. Its continued growth as transport hub resulted from its designation as
a water station where workers could restock the locomotive's wood and pump
water.
Mechanicsburg
and Trains
Grain and feed companies, lumber yards and numerous factories were built alongside the
railroad tracks. Archives show that, at one time, there were twenty-five trains
chugging through the town daily carrying travelers, mail, coal, feathers,
fruit, and newspapers. During the Civil War, the railroad was an invaluable
method of transporting troops and supplies. Today, up to six trains travel
through each day.
Present-day
Mechanicsburg is Centered on a 100-acres (40 ha) tract Purchased from
William Penn
The town went by several different names:
Drytown because of
the extreme scarcity of water during the winter and summer.
Pinchgut a German word signifying a small village with only a few people.
Staufferstown, in honor of Henry Stauffer, the owner of much of the land in the
center of town.
On June 28, 1863, Confederate troops raided
Mechanicsburg, and two days later, met with Union forces just east of town. This
was the northernmost engagement of the Civil War. Following the Skirmish of
Sporting Hill, the Confederate forces retreated south into the town of Gettysburg.
The Oldest Building in Mechanicsburg is the Frankeberger Tavern. One
of Mechanicsburg's first residents was George Frankeberger, who in 1801 applied
for a license to open his newly built log home for the convenience of travelers
between Harrisburg and Carlisle.
The Mechanicsburg Museum is a cluster of historic buildings
from the 1800s where visitors can learn about Cumberland Valley history. The
two-story Freight Station
Museum & Museum Store was once used for freight shipments and deliveries. It
now houses a modern museum space and gift shop.
The Cumberland Valley Beer Trail tour and taste a pint at Cumberland Valley pubs; Valley breweries and
restaurants welcome locals and visitors to sample their unique flavors of craft
brews.