The Calm Before the Storm, Lebanon, PA
Exploring Lebanon County History
Pa. State Rep. Russ Diamond talks with Edward Dannels, President of the Lebanon County Historical Society and learns about the old Union Canel Tunnel and the Krall Barn.
We Are Lebanon, Pa - Tisha Walmer
Tisha Walmer from the Lebanon Valley Conservancy spoke with us about all of the positive work they are doing in the Lebanon area. Their conservation work is done by committed volunteers who work with land owners. They also work with Quittapahilla Watershed Association, Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Community of Lebanon Association, Land Trust Alliance, Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails and Lebanon County Historical Society.
Be sure to watch the video and find out all of the great things the LVC is doing for our area. Then SHARE it with your friends.
Produced by Annubis Productions
Civil War Reenactment, Lebanon PA
Women's History in Lebanon County (part 1).wmv
Lebanon PA 2/1/2010: Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz shares her research on Women's History in Lebanon County. Starting with Women in Politics, in 1936 Sara McKinney Hartman was elected Recorder of Deeds only 16 years after women gained the right to vote. Next came Naomi Pope, Clerk of Orphans Court in 1953. In 1967, Jean Gohn was elected to the Lebanon School Board. In 1969, by seven votes, Catherine Coyle won a seat as a District Justice.
25 Years of Preserving Farms in Lebanon County PA 6 24 2017
Lebanon PA, 6.24.2017: Tim Sheffy introduced speakers at the 25th farmland preservation celebration for Lebanon County. Doug Wolfgang worked for the Lebanon County Conservation District as their first Farmland Preservation coordinator. Doug is now the PA State Farmland Preservation Director. The Horst farm is in the process of preservation, and the Horst's hosted the 25th anniversary event. Dave Sollenberger documented the history of farmland preservation in film. Near the end of this clip is a sample of the film.
2017 Lebanon County Year in Review
Lebanon PA: 2017 Year in Review
Lebanon County PA
Using Hotel Tax funds, commissioners were able to contribute to local events that will both enhance what’s good about Lebanon County and become destinations for visitors to our community. Historic Schaefferstown, the Krall Barn and Holiday Lights are examples. A video of the great work at the Alexander Schaeffer farm will air on WITF, and include closed captioning for the hearing impaired. The Krall Barn is a 1700s log bank barn of Swiss architecture. Originally located near Schaefferstown, the Barn is being re-erected at Union Canal Tunnel Park. Holiday Lights is taking place at Coleman Park. There is a $15 per car donation that will be split between the CLA, Park, and other volunteer organizations helping with the event. Start a tradition with your family and friends with a drive through the colorful lights.
Next, with 158 farms and 18,182 acres, farmland preservation continues to ensure food for future generations. 2017 marked the 25th anniversary of farmland preservation in Lebanon County.
Also adding to our quality of life is the expansion of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail behind the Lebanon Valley Mall. This segment of Trail will connect to the Union Canal Tunnel Park. Getting people outdoors enhances wellness, provides for social interaction and family time, relieves road congestion, highlights special places, and teaches good stewardship of our environment. Volunteers from LVRT maintain the Trail for hikers, bikers, and in some places, horseback riders.
Further, commissioners and the MPO are enhancing our infrastructure with bike lanes. If you travel across the County, you’ll see examples on Route 422 at the new Rutters near Palmyra; and at Ramona Road near Myerstown; as well as on Route 322.
The MPO worked with PennDOT and the Federal Highway Administration on these new intersections as well as on bridge replacement.
From Fort Indiantown Gap to the VA Medical Center; National Cemetery; Armory; Monument, Fisher, and other parks, we’re both aware and proud of the military presence in our community. Commissioners are pleased with the ongoing communication provided by David Weisnicht with a monthly Back at the Gap report. 2017 was a record-setting year training our troops.
Switching gears, commissioners worked with the courts and PA Counseling, a local firm, to open a Day Reporting Center to both rehabilitate people who are in our local jail and to divert people who would otherwise be sent to jail. While it is hoped the Day Reporting Center will reduce overcrowding at the prison, about 80% of inmates are in need of mental health or drug and alcohol treatment. Left untreated, there is a revolving door of inmates that has grown with our population. The prison is 100% funded with real estate tax dollars. Treatment is a shared cost between the local, state and federal governments.
Additionally, commissioners opened Fairweather Lodge, a self-run home for residents who hold each other accountable to help support their living quarters by running a business or holding down and job, all while supporting each other through mental health challenges.
Another way the County is trying to save lives and combat drugs like heroin is to facilitate distribution of Naloxone kits to first responders via the Emergency Management Agency.
Pipelines were in the news a lot in 2017 as Sunoco’s Mariner East and William’s Atlantic Sunrise began construction both east to west and north to south through Lebanon County. These are the first of many pipelines on the horizon. Commissioners facilitated meetings with companies and activists, and placed information on the County website to keep the public informed.
We will end the year with no tax increase. Merry Christmas!
Does Sasquatch Live In Pennsylvania's Lebanon County
Dave Levack remembers the 1985 news article that unlocked his young imagination. A huge, bipedal animal with no neck, unusually long arms, and a pointy head had been spotted wandering through North Annville Township. Loud shrieks were heard the following week, and a series of 18-inch footprints were found.
Source-
Support - paypal.me/isaacwilee
Music - Tenacious D - Sasquatch
2010 Coroner Report - Lebanon PA
Dr. Yocum thanked commissioners for approving the electronic filing of coroner's records, and presented a 2010 State of the Coroner's Report:
· 447 coroner approved cremations, up 29 since 2009
· 136 natural deaths, up 6 since 2009
· 22 Accidental deaths
12 Motor Vehicle Accidents
1 Motorcycle
1 Snowmobile
3 Adverse drug reactions—1 of which was a mix of prescription medications
2 drug overdoses
1 by aspiration
1 train accident, and
1 asphyxia
· Suicides 13, up 1 from 2009 (8 guns, 2 hangings, 2 by carbon dioxide poisoning, and 1 knife), and 2011 has seen 6 suicides already.
· 5 Homicides under investigation, up 2 from 2009—the most that Lebanon County has seen.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH 8TH ST. LEBANON,PA 1966.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH LEBANON,PA. 1966
Women's History in Lebanon County Pa (part 2).wmv
Lebanon PA 2/1/2010: Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz shares her research on Women's History in Lebanon County. Continuing with Women in Politics, Betty Eiceman and Betts Shultz were first elected to Lebanon City Council in 1978. Eiceman went on to become the first woman mayor of the City of Lebanon, but in 1947 Sara Greiner Leffler was the first woman to run for mayor. In 1984, Rose Marie Swanger was the first woman elected as a Lebanon County Commissioner; in 1987 Diann Shultz became Jury Commisisoner; In 1988 Antia Haulman became Prothonotary; Joyce Yingst City Controller; Deirdre Eschleman District Attorney; in 2002 Dawn Resanovich Register of Wills; and Mauree Gingrich 101st House Representative in 2003. Brigadier General Jessica Wright commands the Air and Army National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap, and former Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll resided at the Lt. Governor's mansion west of FIG. In municipalities, Ruth Baldwin first served on Palmyra Boro Council in 1973.
2012 Budget, Lebanon PA, 1.wmv
Commissioners met in budget session at 10:30AM. Carpenter proposed $500,000 in cuts from Cedar Haven, Children and Youth, Renova, MHMR, and EMA; Stohler proposed, and Carpenter concurred, eliminating the $500,000 2012 Retirement Fund contribution; and Litz proposed freezing $365,000 in wages and amending the bond issue for replacement of a $190,000 capital item--a prison roof. Litz's proposals were dismissed. Therefore, from the $2.2 million deficit, $1,113,366 was deducted.
Administrator Wolgemuth referenced the law, If they so desire, the new board of commissioners can reopen budget hearings during January, but may not change the budget by more than 10%.
Welcome To Lebanon, Pa | Moment Invitational 2019 Submission | By MikeyCreator
A quick video for the Moment Invitational about my small little town called Lebanon in the state of Pennsylvania.
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Robert Bordner descendant of Dwight David Eisenhower 11 16 2017
Lebanon PA, 11.16.2017: Searching his ancestory, Robert Bordner was able to confirm stories he heard that he is related to Dwight David Eisenhower. Bob shared the Eisenhower connection to Lebanon County.
U.S. president’s family got start here
Posted on February 3, 2015 by csholly
While working on an old photo gallery, Lebanon Daily News photographer Jeremy Long discovered an interesting tidbit about Lebanon County history. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s ancestors started their American life on a farm near Fredericksburg, Bethel Township. When Eisenhower was elected president in 1952, the Lebanon Daily News ran an article about his ancestry. Almost 100 years prior to his election, his ancestors bought land here. According to the Nov. 6, 1952 article, Nicholas Eisenhauer (also spelled Eisenhower) was granted 100 acres of farm land by Provincial Gov. James Hamilton in January 1753. The farm, just a few miles north of the Little Swatara Creek near Fredericksburg, adjoined farms owned by Jacob Meily and John Holtman. Like many German people of the time, the Eisenhowers came from the Rhineland area, seeking religious freedom and greater opportunities, the article stated. Nicholas Eisenhauer arrived in America with three sons – Martin, Peter and John. President Eisenhower descended from Peter, the article stated. In 1745, Peter Eisenhower had a son, also named Peter, who was baptized by the Rev. John Casper Stoever, a famous Lutheran minister in Lebanon County. In 1831, the article stated, the Eisenhauers moved from Lebanon County to a farm in Elizabethville, Dauphin County. President Eisenhower’s grandfather, Jacob, was born there, became a farmer and sawmill operator and a minister for the Brethren in Christ Church. Looking for better opportunities, Jacob moved the family to Abilene, Kan. in 1878. President Eisenhower had other ties to Pennsylvania; two of his brothers lived in the state, one of whom (Milton E.) was president of what is today Penn State University in State College. In November 1950, Eisenhower purchased a 200-acre dairy farm three miles north of Gettysburg. If you haven’t had an opportunity to tour that farm, it’s worth taking the time to do so. Long’s photo gallery includes photos of Eisenhower’s birthday celebration at Hershey in October 1953.
President Eisenhower’s birthday celebration in Hershey 1953
Lebanon Historical Society Museum, May 2, 2012
Lebanon Historical Society Museum
Stevens Lee Griffin Compares PA County Nursing Homes and Recommends Sale of Cedar Haven
Lebanon PA, 2.12.2014: Stevens Lee and Griffin recommended that Lebanon County sell Cedar Haven, and offered a comparison of Cedar Haven with other nursing homes: Berks Heim, Clinton Susque-View, Cumberland Claremont, Lehigh Cedarbrook, Northampton Gracedale, Schuylkill Rest Haven, and York Pleasant Acres. Berks County has a positive operating income. Other counties do not. While forecasting a deficit in five years, CHR, who manages the Berks home, says more adjustments can be made to correct the forecast. SLG states that Cedar Haven has room for improvement by reducing operating expenses by $550,000, and by $3.1 million to break even. Cedar Haven's occupancy rate is above the average and median relative to other PA county owned nursing hopes (13th out of 30). Cedar Haven's Health rating is also above the average and median relative to other PA county homes. Cedar Haven's nurse staffing hours per resident per day is higher than the average and median relative to other PA county owned nursing homes (5th highest out of 30).
11.20.2014 The Almshouse or Poor House predated Cedar Haven
Lebanon PA 11.20.2014: Commissioner Litz presented to wall hangings. The end of July 2014, I was sitting in former Administrator Schlegel’s office signing Warn Notices for Cedar Haven employees. Taking a break, I stood up, and walked around the office.
On the wall I noticed some interesting items. One was a September 5, 1881 “Rules of Government of the Lebanon County Almshouse,” or poorhouse, which was the precursor to Cedar Haven. Eleven rules are written.
Signed by the Directors of the Poor of Lebanon County, David Boltz, Aaron Brubacher, and Philip Shaeffer, ran a tight ship. For example, ”Whereas some slothful persons may pretend sickness or lameness, to excuse themselves from labor, such persons shall be examined by the physician, and if it appear by his report and other concurring circumstances that those persons made false excuses, they shall be punished by confinement in the cell, and fed on bread and water, until they comply, or in some other legal way, as the Directors shall determine.”
The second wall hanging is a picture by Harpels, a prominent photographer and studio in Lebanon County for many years, of the Almshouse dated 1935, probably taken in late fall or early spring when no leaves were on the trees. Surrounded by a white picket fence, a stately mansion with columns and cupolas stands as the centerpiece of the photo. Additional houses and barns, of which there appear to be three, or four, also had cupolas. A team of mules stands hitched in the lane. Grapevines were supported by a sturdier fence. One lone sole, a man in a suit and hat, stands in a field, but stories that I heard had workers in the fields tending to crops for their sustenance.
Since the current Board of Commissioners sat as the Board of Cedar Haven, I wondered if Boltz, Brubacher, and Shaeffer were the first county commissioners who took care of the poor, and Kathy Kirby assisted by contacting the Lebanon County Historical Society. A reply from Wes Schwenk, Archivist, revealed, “Beginning in 1876, it was decided that elected commissioners would take office all at the same time and they would serve three year terms from that point onward. By 1879, HH Ehrman, George W Walker, and Samuel Witmoyer took on their roles as county commissioners. When 1882 came around new officials were elected. The three names I mentioned previously would have been in office during 1881.”
Not wanting these wall hangings to disappear, Administrator Marcia Krause agreed to box them, and bring them to the courthouse. Today, I share these historical wall hangings with you, and ask that they be placed on the walls of the commissioner’s office for all to see and appreciate our county’s history.
Respectfully,
Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz
Student Government Day in Lebanon County PA
The April 30, 2009 Lebanon County Commissioners meeting was dedicated to Student Government Day, which this year was coordinated by David R. Warner Jr. Tim Retnouer shadowed Commissioner Stohler; Katie Sholly shadowed Commissioner Carpenter; Averi Stoppi shadowed Commissioner Litz; Stephen Lum shadowed Administrator Wolgemuth; Kayla Attig shadowed Treasurer Neuin; Joseph Dautrich shadowed Controller Mettley....
The Student Government Team ran the meeting, approving the Treasurers report, personnel transactions, positions, and conference and seminar requests. A request to send four people to a seminar on Dealing with Difficult People was tabled to see if a similar seminar could be made available for all County employees.
Then, in preparation for their regional competition this afternoon, the Annville Cleona Little Dutchmen FFA presented their Farmland Preservation skit, and answered audience questions.
The day concluded with a luncheon at Cedar Haven, the County nursing home.
CANTON, PA: Circus Capitol of the East
This program was researched and presented by Matthew Carl, President of LeRoy Heritage Museum, at the Bradford County Historical Society in 2010. It covers the extensive circus connections with Canton, Pennsylvania, and the careers of several world renowned circus professionals who lived in Canton.
If you appreciate these local history videos, support our work by becoming a member of LeRoy Heritage Museum. Visit to join online today and receive various benefits including our semi-annual local history magazine.