USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lititz > Lititz, 1756-1956 > Part 2
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The only tributary of the Lititz creek, with- in the town, is the San Domingo creek. It enters "Carter's run" from the north in east- ern Lititz. The San Domingo Creek got its name from a San Domingo Negro, an escaped or manumitted slave, who lived in a cabin along its banks, now in northeast Lititz. He was called "San Domingo" by the townspeople, though his real name was Saunders Lovington. Saunders Lovington was buried in 1844 in the
LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA
1956
old St. James graveyard (west of South Broad Street) , which was then used as a potter's field. Like Governor Dick Mountain, at near- by Mt. Gretna, which was named for a slave called Governor Dick, the San Domingo creek was named for a Negro.
General John A. Sutter
The most notable national figure who ever lived in Lititz was General John Augustus Sutter. (1803-1880). Early pioneer of Califor- nia, he had founded Sacramento in 1839, and over his extensive lands the Gold Rush of 1849 had poured. In 1871 he selected Lititz as his home because, it is said, of the educa- tional facilities afforded there for his grand- children (John Sutter, grandson, had been at John Beck's Academy; and Carmen Sutter, granddaughter, entered Linden Hall in 1875) ; also, it is said, because of the prospect of the healing waters of the Lititz Springs being good for his rheumatism. He and his wife built the brick house on East Main Street (now 17-19) , opposite to the present General Sutter Hotel, and lived there. He is remembered by Abra- ham R. Beck as "a fine looking, courtly old gentleman, and, because of his urbane and hospitable ways, he was esteemed and respect- ted by the whole community." He died in Washington, June 1880, while he was seeking redress from Congress for his great losses in California. Brought to Lititz for burial, al- though he was not a church member, the Moravian Congregation honored him with the only exclusive spot in its cemetery, its north- west corner. Some fifty of his fellow pioneers of California, including John C. Fremont and H. T. Gibson, attended the funeral.
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1756
200th ANNIVERSARY
In 1939 Sacramento and Lititz combined in a centennial event. Lititz sent a bronze tablet to be placed on Sutter's Fort in Sacramento. Sacramento sent a tablet to be placed at the head of Sutter's grave in Lititz. On August 12, 1939, the Lancaster County Historical Society unveiled a bronze tablet in Lititz. Its inscription reads;
John A. Sutter 1803-1880
Eminent Pioneer of California who founded Sacramento in 1839 and over whose lands poured the Gold Rush of 1849 lived his last nine years in Lititz and is interred in an honored corner of the nearby Moravian Cemetery
LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA
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Notable Event of 1846
This event is properly recorded in the History of Lititz because Lititz has the honor of hav- ing seen, and of having an accurate account of one of the last great flights of a long ex- tinct bird. Abraham R. Beck (1833-1928) , writing in 1907, describes it thus: "In the spring of 1846-the last week in March or the first week in April-a vast migration of wild pigeons, reminding one of those described by Audubon as common in his day, and the only instance of that magnitude I have ever known, passed over Lititz flying from south to north. It was a Saturday afternoon and I had taken up my. box of water-colors for pastime, when one of my companions, Dick Tshudy, chum of my heart, rushed into the room breathless- ly announcing the wonderful flight; and then we ran as fast as legs could carry to the road fronting my father's school playground (now the southwest corner of East Orange and South Cedar Streets) which was the best local- ity affording open observations. The dense mass of pigeons extended from overhead seem- ingly, beheld in the perspective, to the eastern horizon, and as far north and south as the eye could reach; and was continuous from 1:30 to 4:30 P.M. The day, as I remember it, was blustery and clouded; had it not been for the latter condition the birds must have cast a distinct shadow on the landscape, so closely were they massed. Of those who went gunning for them I remember only James H. Miksch, who bagged ten or twelve."
The flight of pigeons, thus described, corres- ponds exactly with the one Alexander Wilson saw over Kentucky in 1804. Wilson calculated the number in flight thus: Flock a mile wide, flying at 60 miles an hour, for four hours, equals 240 square miles of birds. At three birds to the square yard, total number of birds would be two billion plus.
Abraham R. Beck's accurate account of see ing more than two billion passenger pigeons over Lititz in 1846 is valuable in the literature of American Ornithology. The last known passenger pigeon died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914.
I remember my father, Abraham R. Beck, telling me this: "And when it-the great flight -was all over, we boys felt the excitement of a circus having been in town."
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200th ANNIVERSARY
LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA 1956
LATER HISTORY OF LITITZ
The · latter day history of Lititz will be pre- sented not only here but also in the story of its churches, its civic and fraternal organiza- tions, and the historical sketches in connection with many of our industries.
Lititz Incorporated as a Borough
Lititz was incorporated as a borough on April 24, 1888. The first burgess was Johnson Miller. In 1915, the Borough limits were extended to take in Warwick. Warwick was the name ap- plied to that part of the original settlement which was north of the present Front Street and west of North Cedar Street. The land of original Warwick was part of Jacob Huber's farm. With a few exceptions, the people of Warwick were not Moravians. They therefore could not live in Lititz, but they wanted to share, by their proximity, some of the bene- fits of the Lititz Community. At the time Warwick was added to Lititz, Warwick had expanded eastward of North Cedar Street, still north of Front Street. This expanded tract of Warwick was on land of the original 491 acre Klein farm, which had been sold by the Moravian Congregation. At the same time, 1915, outlying residential sections to the south and east were incorporated into the Borough.
New Industries
Like so many other communities of our country, Lititz lived during the late eighteen hundreds in a state of relative quiescence out of which it sprang with considerable momen- tum.
An earlier event whose importance had not been immediately recognized was the comple- tion in 1863 through Lititz of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad's branch to Lancaster and Columbia. This new and very important means of transportation was a great factor in encouraging new industries and in furthering the later rapid sequence of important enter- prises locating in Lititz.
There have been many industries in Lititz during the past sixty years, some of which are no longer in existence, but which still deserve recognition for their part in the progress of the community.
Aside from its pretzel baking renown, Lititz was noted during the late eighteen hundreds
INNG GOW LITITZ LITHOGRAPHING CO.
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as a center of the cigar making and tobacco industry. A considerable proportion of our citizens was employed in the many cigar fac- tories and tobacco warehouses. This industry continued to flourish as late as the 1920's, when newer methods and volume production made it impossible for the smaller factories to remain in business.
From 1880 to about 1898 many small indus- tries started operations in Lititz. But probably the first of considerable size was the Keystone underwear mill, built in 1898. It was shortly thereafter that the Kauffman Knitting Mill was organized.
CHOCOLATE CO.
IDEAL COCOA Im CHOCOLATE CO. JE
In 1899 several milk and confectionery com- panies united to form the Kendig Manufac- turing Company. This developed into the Ideal Cocoa and Chocolate Company, which was the predecessor of our present Wilbur-Su- chard Company.
The Lititz Board of Trade, forerunner of our present Chamber of Commerce, was active in attracting new industries to Lititz. Among these new industries was the J. M. Mast Man- ufacturing Conpany, which, after several own- ership changes became the Animal Trap Co. of America. In 1902 the Wellington Manu- facturing Company, later the Wellington Starch Company, located here. After a number of years of operation their building was occupied by the Stiffel-Freeman Safe Company, which moved here from Philadelphia.
LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA 1956
Other new industries near the turn of the century included the Lititz Plow Company, the Lititz Bed Spring Company, the William Amer Cigar box factory, the Garber, Reist, and Nissley Creamery (which eventually be- came the huge Penn Dairies Corp.,) the Thomas Wagon Works, the Eby Shoe Com- pany, the W. C. Enck Cough Drop Company, the Lititz Lithographing Company, and the Consumer's Box Board and Paper Company.
The Regennas Candy Company, started in 1910, is still in operation today. Its Clear Toy candy, cocoanut strips, Easter candies, and other specialities, are still well known. It has remained a small business, operated by Harry Regennas, son of the founder.
One of the businesses which became a cas- ualty to government regulations was the Lititz Distillery, which was also known as the Rome Distilling Company. Its whisky, produced in the buildings on the east end of town, was well known, but when prohibition was en- acted the company closed its doors.
As new industries were being established, Lititz was modernizing itself. In 1893 the first public water system was established and a standpipe was erected just beyond the head of the Lititz spring. In 1932, an additional standpipe was erected in the southern section of the borough.
During 1893 electricity was first introduced into Lititz, through the organization of the Lititz Light, Heat, and Power Company.
Served by railroad from 1863, Lititz got an additional form of transportation in 1895 when the first trolley cars ran to the borough limits. It was 1899 before the trolley company was granted permission to extend its line up Broad Street. After many years of service the trolley was finally forced out of existence by the more convenient automobiles and buses.
Automobiles first began to make their ap- pearance about the turn of the century. Among the first were. those of Christian Im- hoff, W. H. Muth, and David Graybill. The license plates were homemade, of leather, and roads were homemade too, of mud.
The only free road into Lititz was from Manheim. All others had toll gates. Gradually the tolls were removed, but it wasn't until late in 1926 that the toll houses between Lititz and Lancaster raised their gates for the final time.
Lancaster & Lititz Turnpike R'd.
On Turnpike Through Gates
attached.
cents.
No.
EDW. P. BRINTON,
49555
TREAS.
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KITZ SPR
STRAIGHT
RYE
HISKE
The trolley stuck in the snow at Kissel Hill, 1899. The last trolley ran in 1938.
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CULTURE IN LITITZ
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Belshazzar's Feast 1908
Culturally, Lititz has had a varied program since the borough was incorporated.
Under the direction of Calvin S. Loeffler, who was a school teacher, at least two mem- orable plays were performed by local ama- teurs around 1908. The Fall of Jerusalem and Belshazzar's Feast were immense spectacles with gigantic casts populating the huge stage which was built over the head end of the Lititz Springs. The homemade costumes, clev- erly sewn from bedsheets, haven't been for- gotten even today by those who took part in the shows.
Fred Muth, Mrs. Paul Beck, Paul Kreider in Belshazzar's Feast.
1756
200th ANNIVERSARY
LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA 1956
1909-10-Lititz Y. M. C. A. Basket Ball Team-Members, reading from left to right, Joseph Kofroth, Manager; Roy Bohler, Center; Floyd Stark, Guard; Ferry Garber, Forward; Lloyd Kauffman, Guard; Atwood Kreider, Forward. During the 1909-10 season this team won 12 out of 18 games played.
Evangelists and Revivals
Evangelists have always found ardent sup- porters here in Lititz. The great union relig- ious undertaking in 1915 was possibly the largest of the evangelistic efforts. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Needham directed the services, which continued for four weeks.
In 1924 the Newell Campaign was organized. But after getting off to an enthusiastic start, it was abruptly halted - one of the Newell brothers contracted smallpox. Result was not only an end to the revival meetings, but the quarantine of the hotel in which the Newells were staying-including all the guests too.
The Square
Probably the section of Lititz which has changed most in appearance in the past sixty years is the Lititz Square. A view in 1896 would have shown only one of the present day buildings-the hotel. And that was only a small part of the General Sutter Hotel of to- day.
In 1895, the square received its first major change, when Dr. P. J. Roebuck gave the town a lovely fountain. It was dedicated to the memory of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, of which Dr. Roebuck was a member. In addition to the graceful play of water from the fountain, it provided fresh drinking water for citizens, and a watering trough for horses.
During a grand patriotic celebration in 1917, cannon were presented to the Borough by the Stevens Post G. A. R. 517. In 1950 the foun-
tain in its present form was erected through the efforts of the Lititz Community Show Association and was dedicated to the G. A. R. and Dr. Roebuck.
In 1901 the Farmer's National Bank opened its doors in their new building-which later became the Post Office, then was more recent- ly occupied by the Wilbur Suchard offices.
In 1917 the new fire hall was built, and fol- lowing the first World War, in 1924, the Lititz Springs National Bank constructed its building on the corner. In 1925 the Farmer's bank moved into its present building. In 1930 the hotel was extensively remodeled and added to. And finally, in 1941, the Lititz Mutual Insur- ance Company moved into its new offices, completing the extensive changes which have given the square its present day appearance.
A series of photographs of the square through the years will be found in the pictorial section.
During World War I, Lititz zealously con- tributed its part in an American victory. Patriotism was so fervid that the town even changed the name of a street from Stroh Street - very German sounding - to Liberty Street. And a hotel proprietor who failed to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the appro- priate time was unceremoniously dumped into the Roebuck fountain. His defenders main-
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200th ANNIVERSARY
tained however that his silence wasn't a lack of patriotism, he just couldn't sing.
Relatively speaking Lititz coasted through the depression easily. Because of the diversity of its industries, the wealthy farms which sur- round it, and the natural conservatism of its citizens, Lititz suffered less from the depress- ion than most communities.
Following World War II, in which Lititz industries and people patriotically did their part, there was a period of relative quiet.
But during the past five years there have been a series of events which, in a town of about 6,000 persons, may be considered of major importance. First of these was the in- stallation of a sewage system and disposal plant in 1951, at an approximate cost of $2,100,000
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LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA
1956
Second was the starting in 1954 of a new school building, consolidating the school sys- tems of Lititz Borough, Warwick Township, and Elizabeth Township. The cost of the new building, which will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1956, will be about $2,250,000. Besides this expenditure, renovations of exist- ing school buildings in the district are expec- ted to cost an estimated $60,000.
The latest of the major additions to the town came as a result of a decision of the Warner-Lambert Company to locate here. The construction of their immense factory is well under way and is expected to be completed during 1956. The announced cost of the com- pleteď activity will be between four and six million dollars, and the plant will be a major addition to our industrial and civic activity.
Continued expansion of Lititz seems likely. Already approved by the Borough are build- ing developments on all sides of the town. When these developments have been comple- ted they will total about six hundred houses. Considering that present day Lititz has only about 2000 family units, including apartments, this expansion represents an immense growth for the town.
THE CHURCHES OF LITITZ
MORAVIAN CHURCH
The Moravian Congregation was organized February 9, 1749, as the "Warwick Country Con- gregation." Even before its organization, some of the farmers in the vicinity, who had been "awakened" by the preaching of itinerant Mora- vian ministers, decided, in 1746, to build a "Gemeinhaus" (Community House), and to ask for a resident minister, who would live in this building and conduct a school for their children. The building was completed and the school opened in 1748. This school eventually evolved into Linden Hall Academy and Junior College. Five years after the organization of the congre- gation (in 1754), John George Klein, who was one of its charter members, offered his farm for the organization of a Moravian "Settlement," such as were in vogue in Europe at that time, for the close supervision of the members of the congregation. His offer was accepted, and in 1755 the transfer was made. The story of the founding of this Settlement, of the origin of its name, "Lititz," and of the development of the town and of the local Moravian Congregation; is told in the article on "THE EARLY HISTORY OF LITITZ" which appears elsewhere in this publication.
The present church building was erected in 1787, and completely remodeled and enlarged in 1857, when the vestibule and pulpit recess were added, and the stationary pews installed. Several
renovations and improvements in the heating and lighting systems took place from time to time, including the latest, during the past year (1955); but no further structural changes have been made.
The Sunday School was organized in 1846, and was held at first in the church and what is now the church office. In 1884, a brick addition was built to the rear of the Brethren's House, and the Sunday School was moved into this enlarged building, which is still its home. In 1908 and 1920 further enlargements and renovations were made; and in 1935 the present modern Christian Educa- tion Building, including Fellowship Hall, was completed. The enrollment of the Sunday School is 522.
Three societies in the congregation have a long history back of them: the Women's Mission- ary Society, organized in 1822 (its auxiliary, the "Mite Society," in 1887); the Ladies' Sewing Society, in 1856; and the Men's Missionary Society in 1874. "Youth Fellowship" groups were organ- ized several years ago and, during the past year (1955) all the women of the congregation have been organized into a "Women's Fellowship," divided, for working purposes, into seven active groups, and a "Home" group, each with its own leader.
The total membership of the congregation is 1181.
TRINITY EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Early in 1872 in an old stone house in Pine Alley prayer meetings were conducted by nearby preachers. These meetings eventually were the nucleus for the formation of a new church in Lititz.
Later in July of the same year God directed the sainted Rev. A. Shultz, pastor of the Browns- town charge, to preach to the families of John Young and George Shafner who, with their families, were the only members of the Evan- gelical Church in the vicinity.
They rented a building in Warwick, north of the railroad, known in the town as the "Round House." This eight cornered building had pre- viously been built to house a merry-go-round, which was termed a world venture for Lititz and soon closed its doors for the lack of support. Pulpit and altar were erected and benches with- out backs were placed to accommodate about one hundred and fifty people. In 1873 Con- ference appointed Rev. R. Dreibelbis to the Brownstown circuit, of which Lititz was a mis- sion charge. In October, at a protracted revival service, between fifty and sixty souls were con- verted and joined the church. Immediately a class was organized and the late David R. Buch was elected class leader. Mr. Buch proved a tower of strength in the formation of the early church and continued as its leader for more than fifty years as president of the Trustee Board.
In 1874 Julius Sturgis presented the lot on the corner of Cedar and Orange Streets, giving new life to the Church. In the same year a two story brick church was erected, with a spire 125 feet from ground level. In 1877, from the historical record of the Church we note this interesting commentary:
A Church debt of $2,000 with interest of the previous year became very burdensome. The Pastor, Rev. J. M. Oplinger, urged the Brethren to make an effort to cancel it. Trusting in God, they appealed to the people for help. The result was that $2,194.14 was secured. This was good work for one day in panic times and the majority of the people being poor. To God be all the glory.
In June 1925, under the pastorate of Rev. S. A. Heisey, a building fund was started. Ten years later the corner stone of the present edifice was laid by Rev. C. D. Huber, Presiding Elder. Rev. D. P. Longsdorf was chairman of the Build- ing Committee and we attribute much praise to his untiring efforts. On May 10, 1936, dedicatory services were conducted by Bishop C. H. Mengel.
First spade of ground for the new building was turned by Mrs. Nancy Gingrich, the only charter member then alive. In 1948 a ceremony was held, at which time the mortgage was burned.
Trinity is one of the finest equipped churches in the denomination. The large nave with balcony holds 450 people, with additional side room which will hold 200 people separated by sliding doors. In addition there are three choir lofts, a pastor's office and study, individual class rooms, secretary's room, church parlor, social rooms, and kitchen.
In order of their service to Trinity Church, we take pleasure in listing the pastors who have diligently contributed to the growth of our congregation:
Rev. A. Shultz Rev. D. S. Stauffer
Rev. R. Dreibelbis Rev. P. T. Brocious
Rev. C. Brown Rev. J. S. Harper
Rev. J. M. Oplinger Rev. G. W. Imboden
Rev. J. Specht Rev. S. A. Heisey
Rev. B. D. Albright
Rev. W. E. Hartzler
Rev. A. Dilabar
Rev. H. J. Kline
Rev. A. W. Warfel
Rev. D. P. Longsdorf
Rev. A. A. DeLong
Rev. C. S. Heim
Rev. J. W. Woehrle Rev. L. C. Hunt
Rev. A. M. Sampsel Rev. G. B. Carvell
Rev. I. J. Reitz
Rev. G. R. Booth
Rev. C. E. Hess
R. C. Steinhart
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ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH
It might be said that St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lititz dates back to June 1, 1823, because that is the date of the founding of Salem Lutheran Church of New Haven-now Kissel Hill. Salem Lutheran Church of New Haven was the mother congregation of a new congrega- tion of 56 persons who officially formed a Luth- eran congregation in Lititz on April 11, 1886.
On August 4, 1885 a committee composed of J. M. Baker, Reuben Baker, J. A. Buck, F. B. Buck, James Sesseman, Aaran Kline, Wm. H. Enck, A. G. Killian, and C. Lipp, members of the New Haven congregation, met for the purpose of "procuring a lot and having a draft made of size and style of a new building." After consider- ing various locations, it was decided that a lot owned by J. A. Buck and Bros. would be pur- chased for the site of a new church building. This lot was on what is now South Spruce Street, Lititz.
The cornerstone for the new building, which was to be of brick was laid Sept. 13,1885 at 4 p.m., by the Rev. Jacob Peter, a pastor from the Manheim parish. Rev. Peter was tempor- arily to supply the new congregation in Lititz. Also participating in the cornerstone laying were The Rev. Sylvanus Stall and The Rev. John V. Eckert. The new building was finally completed at a cost of $6,000.00 and dedicated on Feb. 14, 1886.
In the Spring of 1886 the congregation bought from Mr. John Bollinger two acres on an eleva- tion about one half mile south of town on the Lititz turnpike. This lot was used as a cemetery and is called Machpelah.
The erection of the present St. Paul's Lutheran Church on the corner of Broad and Orange was begun in the year 1911. A lot had been purchased at this location on June 26, 1905 while the congre- gation was being served by the Rev. J. E. Mowrer, but it was not until Jan. 26, 1911 that serious consideration was given to the erection of a building on the site. A decision was reached on Feb. 13, 1911, and the following April work was begun. The first stone was laid in the cellar on the 18th of July, and the cornerstone was laid Sept. 3, 1911, the Rev. A. E. Cooper of Manheim preaching the sermon.
In 1918 a major development in the life of St. Paul's was brought about by the merger of three large bodies of Lutheran Churches in America. The General Council, The General Synod, and The United Synod of the South, forming the United Lutheran Church in America. This merger of the larger bodies brought about a merger on Feb. 2, 1918 between St. James Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, a General Synod church in Old Warwick, with St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lititz. Thirty-nine members of St. James officially transferred membership to the St. Paul's congregation.
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