The town of Lewisburg (Borough population 5,620 in the 2000 census) lies on the west bank of the Susquehanna River in mid-state Pennsylvania. Founded in 1785, through the years the town’s fortunes have depended on the changing fortunes of a diverse succession of economic drivers: local agriculture and dairying, the arrival of the Pennsylvania Canal, the milling and shipping of lumber from its hinterland forests, small-scale foundries and metal crafting, the rise of carriage building and furniture manufacturing, the growth of Bucknell University, and the founding of a major federal prison on its periphery. As these economic activities have waxed and waned they shaped the quantity, quality, styles, and longevity of the buildings of Lewisburg. Local values have also played a role. Lewisburg, and central Pennsylvania generally, has been conservative about its style preferences. For example, the 5-bay, two-storey, house in Georgian/Federalist style, preferred by Pennsylvania’s German immigrants, persisted in Lewisburg decades after new styles had come into vogue in coastal cities.
Lewisburg has long valued its remarkable architecture, reflected in its houses, its commercial buildings, its religious and public buildings, and the educational buildings of the University. The town’s private residences encompass a wide range of architectural styles, with Federalist, several Victorian styles (especially Italianate and Queen Anne), and structures that are transitional between the two periods particularly well represented. A wider array of styles characterize Lewisburg’s public, educational, religious and commercial buildings, including Greek and Classical Revival, Gothic Revival, Colonial Revival, Beaux Arts, Romanesque Revival, and, in its movie theatre, a fine example of Art Deco. With a few impressive exceptions, Lewisburg’s architecture is usually at a moderate level of elaboration. The town has few of the grand private mansions and ornate public structures that are found in large cities, and neither does it have the modest housing tracts of a gritty, working class, industrial town.
Lewisburg’s historic area has fewer structures built after the 1930s. There are three main reasons. First, Lewisburg’s economic situation deteriorated in the early part of the 20th Century as the timber reserves in the region were exhausted and then as the Great Depression spread. As a result, just when 19th Century architectural styles were looking dowdy and dated there was little money in Lewisburg to replace them. Economic downturns also occurred in the 19th Century, periodically suspending the process of tearing down unfashionable buildings in order to construct buildings in the admired new styles. Thus, townspeople mainly kept and maintained what they had. Second, by the 1930s most of the lots in what is now the Historic District had been built upon, so there wasn't much opportunity for newer structures. What has been built in the District since is the product of "in -fill" on a dwindling number of spaces. Third, by the mid 20th Century many citizens of Lewisburg had come to realize that their town’s architecture had charm and economic value. Spurred by the demolition of several valued buildings and as other valued buildings came under threat, public support for preservation strengthened. The celebration of Union County’s 1963 sesquicentennial focused this concern, and then the years leading up to the much anticipated 1976 national Bi-centennial celebration greatly heightened our interest in Lewisburg’s historical legacy. Two important books on local history were published in conjunction with the Bi-centennial, and in 1978 Lewisburg’s Union County produced a Historic Preservation Plan. On June 26th, 1985, Lewisburg’s Historic District was created by ordinance of the Borough Council under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, and its Historical District is now listed on the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic Places and, as of 2003, on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years the Borough Council, its Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), and other local entities, with the cooperation of the citizenry, have worked diligently to preserve the town’s architectural assets and to encourage their restoration and maintenance. The result is a town filled with charming homes and businesses dominated by architectural styles mostly in vogue during the century and a half between the earliest decades of the Republic and World War II.
We close this section by noting that many Lewisburg citizens are far more versed in Lewisburg’s history, architecturally and otherwise, than are we. Where the foregoing historical summary is off the mark we gladly defer to these experts, whose deep knowledge of this very special town has our highest respect.
What this disc contains is a photographic database of the principal structure on every tax parcel in the Historic District of Lewisburg. Here are some ways that the data now on this disc can be used:
(1) A source for how a particular structure’s exterior facade looked at a particular time (between 2005 and 2008 depending on when the archive photo(s) was taken). The picture file can accommodate additional photos showing specific aspects of the structure and could become a record of the building’s features through time.
(2) A source for studying the exterior facades of Lewisburg’s historic buildings on a particular block, or from a particular date range (where dates are available), or of a particular architectural style.
(3) A source for examining the distribution of buildings of a particular type (e.g. Craftsman bungalows, 4-squares, or federalist townhouses) within the historic zone.
We do not see this as a closed project. Rather, we would like to see it as an evolving project – “Phase 2” and beyond – and we invite others to carry it forward from here. The digitized master file has been deposited in the Bucknell Library’s Special Collections and University Archive located in the Bertrand Library. In the future others who are interested may wish to expand this initial product, perhaps along the lines suggested below. We hope so. Here are some ways it could be expanded.
- We would envision a next phase in which all of the other structures under the aegis of the Historic District (e.g. garages, summer kitchens, and “barns”) are photographed and added. Photos of these additional buildings can be located on the appropriate Structure page in the “thumbnails” section. However, public monuments, the railroad bridge, etc. will need new Structure pages of their own.
- We would hope that further data can be added on structures depicted in the database as they become available, such as previously unrecorded construction dates, ownership histories, and architectural commentaries. Spaces have been left for that information as well.
- We should note, too, that although there is great stability in the District’s architectural inventory, changes do occur: a building may be destroyed by fire; a new structure may be built on one of the small number of empty lots remaining in the Historic District; the Borough Council, with advice from HARB, may authorize the razing of a particular structure; or a tax parcel may be divided or consolidated with an adjacent one. Too, the actual boundaries of the Historic District could be extended to include additional areas outside the present zone. Thus, the database on this disc is really a point of departure. Further, we can imagine that in some future year the HARB or an individual townsperson may want to create a new set of photographs to juxtapose with those in our 2005-8 photo set in order to make comparisons and understand the ways in which the facades of Lewisburg’s historic structures change. Adding a new set of photographs to existing ones would inject the fascinating dimension of time into the database.
- We also have a more ambitious vision: we imagine that this database could become an active community resource supporting Lewisburg’s affection for its architectural heritage. Individual home owners (and those owning commercial buildings as well) could place on file family oral history narratives about the structure, who owned it, and the role it has played for those who have lived there. Somewhat in the vein of a moderated e-mail list-serve, under someone’s stewardship the database could become the locus for a path-breaking, citizen-driven, locus of our community’s history.
The contents of this database may not be used for any commercial purpose or for private financial gain. The database is wholly a public resource, available in perpetuity for collective community purposes.
B. Sanborn Maps
In the 1860s the Sanborn Company began mapping towns and cities in the United States (ultimately including some 12,000 localities), plotting the location and features of individual buildings, block by block. The resulting maps provided the data used by fire insurance companies to calculate rates for insuring buildings. Between 1885 and 1944 the Sanborn Company produced 8 map sets of Lewisburg (some were up-dates of previous maps). The maps covered the developed area of the town at the time of the mapping, and depict, for each property lot, the “footprint” of the principal building and, if there was one, the barn or stable. The data for the principal building include the outline of porches, the siding material, what parts of the structure may be more than one storey, the location of exterior windows and doors, and other data.
We obtained the eight Lewisburg Sanborn maps and our plan was to note for each structure in our database whether it appeared on these maps. However, we found that too often we could not confidently match an existing structure and tax parcel to the one appearing on the maps. Although many structures can be accurately matched, the uncertainties were sufficiently frequent that we abandoned the effort. Individual property owners may, however, find great rewards in studying the Sanborn maps. Bucknell’s Bertrand Library has a (rather worn) microfiche copy of the Lewisburg maps, and the maps can, for a fee, be consulted on line from their present owner, Environmental Data Resources, Inc.
C. Three Sources for Identifying Architectural Styles
There are various published guides to assist a layperson in identifying the architectural style and features of a particular building. The three sources below will be useful for novices. Of course, if a person desires to engage with the literature of the architectural historian, an enormous corpus of scholarly sources awaits.
Baker, John Milnes
1994 American House Styles, A Concise Guide. New York NY: W.W. Norton.
The non-professional will find the text, pictures and glossary very useful.
Blumenson, John J.-G. and David H. Paine
1995 Identifying American Architecture, a Pictorial Guide to Styles and Terms, 1600-1945. Revised Edition. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press.
Less emphasis on houses, as opposed to public buildings, but trait lists for particular styles and the glossary are quite useful.
McAlester , Virginia and Lee McAlester
2002 A Field Guide to American Houses. New York NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
Good detailed analysis of component features of each architectural style; lots of photos and analytic drawings.
Readers may also find Allan Gowen’s The Comfortable House, North American Suburban Architecture, 1890-1930 (MIT Press, 1986), a useful introduction to the historical context that shaped late-Victorian and post-Victorian American housing patterns.
There are also several internet web sites with helpful information, but the user needs to be careful to rely on websites produced by proven authorities and knowledgeable organizations.
D. Published and Archival Sources Consulted
In preparing this disc the sources listed below have been inspected for photos of Lewisburg buildings. If the source contained a useful photo of a specific building, it is noted in the "Print References" area of the corresponding Structure page. If that source contains written information associated with the photo, a summary of that information is usually provided as well.
Anderson, John W., et al. Lewisburg: History of 19th Century Lewisburg Architecture. Lewisburg, PA: Institute for Regional Affairs. Location: Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Bardaen, Neil. “Financial Problems Force the Closing of Lewisburg Hotel.” The Bucknellian 5 Feb. 1993.
Beaver Memorial United Methodist Featured in House Tour. Lewisburg Daily Journal 1 Nov, 1985. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Churches. General. Box A.11,3 Shelf 5.
Brennan, Pamela. “Hotel Called Romance of “Old Lewisburg .” Lewisburg Journal 16 Aug. 1991. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Brennan, Pamela. “Newly Refurbished Lewisburg Hotel Reopens.” Williamsport Sun- Gazette 18 Jun 1998. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“Cameron House at Lewisburg in New Central.” Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes. Box A.7,2,5.
Celebrating Our Two Centuries 1802-2002: History of Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
“Complete Program of Renovations at Hotel Lewisburger.” Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg Homes. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5. (Typewritten sheet from a local newspaper detailing the hotel’s renovations.)
“Cottage Featured in House Tour.” Lewisburg Standard/ Journal 7 Oct. 1994. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Deans, Thomas. “The Story of a County: Union County Sesquicentennial.” 1963. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Derr, Morris Rev. “The Baptist Church” The History of Lewisburg Churches. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Baptist Church. Box A.11,3 Shelf 5.
Doebrer, Rachel. “’The Burger’ is Back.” Bucknell World. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg, The Lewisburg Hotel. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Freist, Anne Marie. “History of Packwood House Museum Since 18 th Century Recounted.” The Bucknellian 26 Apr. 1985. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1980s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“From Adam to Adam to Edith: A History of Lot #50 in the Town of Lewisburg.” 11 Sept 1980. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1980s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“From the Past to the Present: Campus Theatre has Grand History of Theater and Picture” Lewisburg Journal 21 Sept 1991. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Gray, Nada. “Presbyterian Parsonage on Historic House Tour” 3 Oct. 1985. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes.. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Gray, Nada. “Tour Homes Products of Prosperity.” Union County Journal. 9 Oct. 1986. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes.. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Gararel, Martha, Wetzell, Lydia, and Junkin, E.L., Rev. “William D. Himelreich Memorial Library- A History and an Appraisal.” 1933 and 1946. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Glazer, Mike. “Wirth: Hotel Can be a Success.” Lewisburg Journal Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Glazer, Mike. “Lewisburg Hotel: Work Begins.” Lewisburg Journal 6 Oct. 1991. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Glazer, Mike. “Lewisburg Hotel: A Done Deal.” Lewisburg Journal 1993. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Glazer, Mike. “Spring Opening Slated for Lewisburg Hotel.” Lewisburg Journal 30 Sept. 1995. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“Handbook: First Baptist Church, Lewisburg, PA.” Location: Lewisburg. Baptist Church. Box A.11,3 Shelf 5. University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Hironimus, Connie. “Lewisburg Pharmacy Believed to be Oldest in Nation.” Lewisburg Standard/Journal 6 October, 2007. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
“Historians Claim Lewisburg Pharmacy is Oldest in US.” 21 Apr. 1974. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg Homes. Box A.7,2,5.
“History of the First Baptist Church of Lewisburg, PA, together with Addresses and Sermons Delivered on its Jubilee Anniversary.” 1894. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
“A History of Faith and Service: Saint John’s Church 1824-1961.” Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Historic Union County. “Lewisburg: The Middle Years 1840-1880.” May, 2000. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Hitchcock, Elizabeth. “Architecture Lends Beauty and Distinction” The Story of a County: Union County Sesquicentennial. 1963. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Hitchcock, E.L. “Architecture of Lewisburg Area.” Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. General. Undated. Box A.7,2,5.
“House of the Week” Union County Journal 7 Feb. 1974. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“House of the Week.” Lewisburg Journal 18 Jul. 1988. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“House of the Week.” Lewisburg Journal 27 June 1994. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“House of the Week- Lewisburg Inn.” Union County Journal Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. Pre 1900-1940s Box A.7,2,5.
Institute for Regional Affairs, Bucknell University. “Historic Site Survey Union County Planning Commission.” June, 1976. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
“Johnson Home in on the House Tour.” Lewisburg Standard/ Journal 25 Oct. 1994. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Kalp, Charles W., Mrs. (Lois) “The Charm of an Old House Lies in Countless Changes as Occupants Adapt to Times.” Union County Journal 9 Dec. 1965. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. General. Undated. Box A.7,2,5.
Kalp, Lois. “A Tour of Union County Churches” The Story of a County: Union County Sesquicentennial. 1963. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Kalp, Lois “Corner Apothecary Reflects Traditions of Yesteryear.” Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg Homes. Box A.7,2,5.
Kalp, Lois. A Town on the Susquehanna 1769-1975, with an Epilogue 1975-1980. Lewisburg, PA: Colonial Printing. Location: Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Kalp, Lois. “On the Trail of History.” Union County Journal 1 Dec. 1977 Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg Homes. Box A.7,2,5.
Kalp, Lois. “Lewisburg: People and Events that Shaped its History.” In, Union County Pennsylvania: A Celebration of History (Snyder, Charles, ed.). Lewisburg, PA: Union County Historical Society, 2000. Location: Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Lewisburg Festival of the Arts. 25 April- 1 May 1971. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg Homes. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“Looking Back.” Union County Journal 11 Sept. 1986. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1980s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“Manual of the First Baptist Church, Lewisburg PA” 1885. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Baptist Church. Box A.11,3 Shelf 5.
Maroney, Mark. “A Grand Undertaking for a Grand Church.” Daily Standard 7 Dec. 1989. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Baptist Church General. Box A.11,3 Shelf 5.
Massey, Denise. “At the Pineapple Inn…” Lewisburg Daily Journal 14 July 1987. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1980s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
McCollister, Erin. “Campus Theater Shows More Than Movies.” Lewisburg Journal 21 Sept. 1995. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“Mrs. Fetherston Wills that House Become Museum.” Union County Journal 28 Feb. 1972. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg Homes. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Murphy, Charlotte Shields. “Historical Sketch for the One hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church.” First Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
O’Boyle, Brenda. “Recent Renovations Add Style to Hotel.” The Bucknellian 21 Feb. 1986. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1980s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Povel, Derek. “Landmark to Reopen in Spring.” The Bucknellian 19 Oct 1995. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“Powers House in Lewisburg Tour.” Lewisburg Standard/ Journal 14 Oct. 1994. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
“Stone House Victorian Oddity.” Union County Journal 2 Oct. 1986. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes. Box A.7,2,5.
Strosser, Ted. “Architectural Appendix.” Union County Pennsylvania: A Celebration of History. Snyder, Charles, Ed. Lewisburg, PA: Union County Historical Society, 2000. Location: Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Theiss, Lewis E. “Lewisburg Maintains Historic Destiny…Town Was Once a Thriving River Port” The Story of a County: Union County Sesquicentennial. 1963. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Theiss, L.E. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5. Unpublished, six page pamphlet on the hotel’s history.
“Union County Day.” Bicentennial Gazette 12 June, 1976. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes.. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Walsh, Donna. “The Campus Theatre: A Shared Piece of History.” Bucknellian 26 Oct. 1990. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. History. 1990s. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.
Wetzel , Lydia B. “History of the First Presbyterian Church.” Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.
Zeller, John. “ First Baptist Church, Lewisburg: An Early History” 1994. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Baptist Church. General. Box A.11,3 Shelf 5.
“Zeller’s home on the House Tour.” Lewisburg Standard/Journal 24 Oct. 1991. Location: University Archives, Bertrand Library, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA. Lewisburg. Homes. Box A.11,3, Shelf 5.