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Mt. Gretna Area Historical SocietyThe Gretna ChroniclesFALL 2012Campmeeting Named to National Register of Historic PlacesKudos to Mount GretnaResident Tom Meredithfor his diligent work thatgarnered Campmeeting aspot on the NationalRegister of HistoricPlaces. As ofSeptember, MountGretna is represented.Research is now in theworks to addChautauqua to the list.Just another reason topreserve the history of ourunique community.DInside this issue:More about the HistoricDesignation2Postcard Presentation3Mt. Gretna LiteraryJournal3Abraham Kauffman4Laurel Park HistoricPhotos5MGAHS Board7Chair Report8A membership to theMGAHS is a great holidaygift for your friends andneighbors! DListed at Last! by Tom MeredithThe September listingsposted to the NationalRegister of HistoricPlaces by the NationalPark Service added fivePennsylvania locations,one of them being theMt. Gretna Campmeeting, to the national list.This listing marked theculmination of six years’effort to meet the strictrequirements of the National Park Service forinclusion on the nationallist.In 2006, following apresentation in the Mt.Gretna fire hall by staffmembers of the Pennsylvania Bureau for HistoricPreservation, the Campmeeting Board of Managers authorized TomMeredith to submit anapplication to the ParkService. The state bureaurecommends districts tothe Park Service, with thefinal decision being madeby the Keeper of the Register at the Park Serviceheadquarters in Washington, DC. Requirementsfor listing are extensiveand detailed: the districtmust retain a significantarchitectural and historicintegrity, and its relevanceto national and local cultural trends or eventsmust be documented.In order to make itsrecommendation, the bureau requires the applicant to submit a Surveyof Historical Resourceswith maps, photographs,an inventory of the cottages and other buildingsin the district, and a
Page 2The Gretna ChroniclesFALL 2012Campmeeting designation (con’t from front page)Enthusiasm andexcitement over thelisting are apparentin the Campmeeting,where a summer ofcelebration isbeing planned for2013, with a formaldedicationceremonyscheduled forMemorial Day.detailed physical description and historical narrative of the area in question. If this survey indicates that the district willmeet national requirements, a national application form must be completed, covering the sameinformation but in moredetail and with full documentation including abibliography of allsources used in the preparation of the form. Morephotographs and moremaps are required and, ifpossible, contemporaryillustrations are to be usedto provide visual “Beforeand After” data.The completed national form is submittedto the trustees of the stateBureau for Historic Preservation for their approval and recommendation to the Park Service.The trustees, a group ofhighly qualified professionals in history, art, architecture, and public administration, meet threetimes a year to considerapplications. Their Junemeeting in Harrisburgreviewed ten applications,Mt. Gretna’s amongthem. Of the ten, eightwere approved for nomination to the Park Service, and in Septemberthe Service approved five.Again the Campmeetingapplication was amongthem. It was listed as ofSeptember 4, 2012.It is a tribute to theCampmeeting itself andto the dedicated work ofthe committee that individual trustees of the statebureau commented onthe excellence of the Mt.Gretna application andthe quality of the resources: “remarkable architectural quality,” “thatTabernacle is a nationaltreasure.” The applicationcommittee, chaired byTom Meredith, includedJim and Linda Campbell,Ted and Esther Mefferd,George and Chris Resh,Madelaine Gray, NancyBrooks, and Aniko Gayhart. Collectively theycounted all 255 buildings,structures, and sites in theCampmeeting, describingeach and every one in detail according to NationalPark Service guidelines.Some buildings were examined two or threetimes before the committee could agree on its styleor the siding material.The quality of Madelaine Gray’s photographs, several of whichwere displayed on monitors around the roomwhile the trustees wereconsidering the application, had much to do withthe favorable consideration it received. Pat Gibble, a trustee of the Mt.Gretna Area HistoricalSociety, was most helpful.She assisted with the selection of contemporaryphotos from the Society’sJack Bitner Collection andthen digitized them forthe application, makingthe “Before and After”element easy to provide.The preservation of important Campmeetingmaps eased the fulfillmentof the map requirements,although representing thearea as it was in 1890 wasa challenge that NancyBrooks met successfully.Altogether the applicationconsisted of 31 pages offorms and text, six maps,41 current and contemporary illustrations, and a 12-page inventory.Enthusiasm andexcitement over the listing are apparent in theCampmeeting, where asummer of celebration isbeing planned for 2013,with a formal dedicationceremony scheduled forMemorial Day weekendand a series of special Bible Festival programsplanned to celebrate thenearly century and a quarter of continuing summerworship programs – theCampmeeting tradition inits 21st century manifestation: “Christian spiritualrenewal in a unique Victorian setting.” D
The Gretna ChroniclesFALL 2012Page 3Postcard Presentation returned this summerShown above is a postcard photo of the Kauffman House — See Story Next Page.Back by popular demand, Morris Greiner presented his Mt. Gretna postcard collection. Last winter, he shared the most complete collections in existence at a Mt. Gretna Area Historical Society program to a packed house at the Fire Hall.He again presented "Old Mt. Gretna Through the Eyes of a Postcard Photographer" in August at the Hall of Philosophy.Greiner, whose father once ran the Mt. Gretna telegraph station said Mt. Gretna is more than the focus of a lifetime search forpostcards relating to this area, it underscores his own heritage. His father first began working for the military here, and Mt.Gretna is where he spent his childhood years.His collection now includes hundreds of colored postcards, most in perfect condition and many with personal inscriptionswritten more than a century ago. Except for three that are copies, all of the original postcards of Mt. Gretna ever printed are nowpart of his vast collection. (Source: Roger Groce newsletter)DMt. Gretna Literary Journal Launchesby Dr. W. Jeffrey HurstThe Mt Gretna HistoricalSociety announces theinauguration of a newpeer reviewed literaryjournal titled The MtGretna Review with thefirst issue initiallyplanned for early 2013.The journal welcomessubmissions of poems,short stories, historicalnarratives, book reviews,black and white draw-ings and photographsabout Mount Gretna andthe surrounding region.Submissions are welcomed at any time andwill be reviewed by amember of the EditorialBoard. Initially, issueswill be published whensufficient material is inhand to complete an issue. Only original contributions are solicited andcan be submitted viaemail to mtgretnareview@aol.com. Shouldyou have any questions,please contact us viaemail at the above address. We welcome yoursubmissions andinquiries. D
Page 4The Gretna ChroniclesFALL 2012Abraham L. Kauffman—Entrepreneurby Patricia E. Gibble, Ph.D.Above is the entrance to the Gables.Below is the Kauffman House, andBungalows. Now the Mt. Gretna Inn.Welcomes visitors.As visitors and residents travel west on RT. 117toward the homes and buildings that make up MountGretna today, few are aware ofthe rich history of the areaslying east and north of theCampmeeting community. Inthe 1920s, entrepreneur Abraham Lincoln Kaufman operated both commercial establishments at the eastern end ofthe town settlement, as well asan amusement park north ofRt. 117. At the time, his resortrivaled the entertainment facilities created by Robert H. Coleman in the 1890s.Abraham L. Kauffman wasraised in nearby Annville, Pa.As a member of the UnitedBrethren Church, he spentmany summers during hisyouth at his parent’s Campmeeting cottage. In 1907,Kauffman began his initialeconomic ventures in Mt.Gretna, purchasing a 20 acreplot known at the time as theJacob Galebach Farm. Thefarm was located east of thepresent day Campmeetingboundary. Kauffman namedhis new resort, The Willows,and erected a spacious Hotelon Kauffman Avenue justsouth of present day HideAway restaurant. Kauffman’sgeneral store was situated westof the Hotel, directly outside ofeastern entrance to the Campmeeting grounds. The storeprovided the necessary amenities for visitors to the Gretnaencampment including a bakery, ice house, creamery andoutdoor ice cream parlor. Heran a laundry for Gretna visitors and provided horse stablesin the existing Galebach barnfor tourists who traveled to theresort by buggy. By 1926, hisson-in-law Andy Daigneau wasoperating a petrol station northof the Kauffman Hotel to provide fuel for guests arriving inautomobiles. Kauffman alsobuilt the Gables across fromhis general store that offeredentertainment such as a silentpicture theater and dance hallfeaturing local big bands. Mr.Lichenthaler managed the Gables during the early periodwith Bill Embar running thefacility in the mid- 1920s. OnJune 27, 1907, the LebanonDaily News heralded Kauffman’s new resort as a greataddition to growing number oftourist attractions that could beenjoyed in Mount Gretna.Following the success ofthese enterprises, Kauffmanconstructed an impressive family residence on the 20-acreplot he had acquired. Thehouse has been restored and isopen to vacationers today asthe Mount Gretna Inn. In
The Gretna ChroniclesCaption describing pictureor graphic.addition, Kauffman built several rental cottages southeast of hismansion on Hollobaugh Avenue. Known as The Bungalows,these cottages were designed to accommodate family groups, butwhen originally constructed had no kitchen facilities. Families whorented these homes could take their meals across the street at thenear-by Kauffman Hotel. By 1929, the bungalows had been purchased by several individuals and are maintained as private residences today.Other land acquisitions expanded Kauffman’s business interests.He purchased two land tracts consisting of 160 acres from R.E.Hartman and Emanuel Keener with the intention of creating alarge housing development. Hartman/Keener had previously timbered the land and divided it into lots, installing sewers, water androads and erecting some homes on the site. Kauffman’s plan wasto build larger, more permanent houses than the typical seasonalcottages used by those attending the Campmeeting retreat. Hecalled his new housing community, Kauffman Heights, but it isbetter known today as simply “the Heights.”According to historian Jack Bitner (1990), Abraham Kauffmanhad always been interested in purchasing the Mount Gretna LakeFALL 2012Page 5and Amusement Park created by Robert H. Coleman in late1890s. In the early 1900s, Ferdinand Gremminger had acquiredthese properties from Coleman’s descendants. When Kauffmancould not buy the Gremminger properties as he had hoped, hepurchased another 53 acre parcel from E. A. Keener on September 29, 1923. Originally part of Robert H. Coleman’s estate up to1879, the acreage had passed to Anne C. Coleman Rogers in1903. From 1914 through 1918, the South Mountain Lumber Co.owned and timbered the parcel. The property today is boundedon the south by highway Rt. 117, to the west by the present-dayButler Road and on the north by the Lebanon County Rail Trails, formerly the C&L Railroad tracts. In the next severalyears, Kauffman would realize his dream of owning an amusement park that he called Laurel Park.Kauffman first erected a dam west of the headwaters of theConewago Creek, thus creating a small lake for boating. Visitorsentered Laurel Park from RT. 117 via a road that ran directlyacross the dam head. He then installed a million gallon cementswimming pool and bath house. In order to maintain the qualityof the spring-fed pool, Kauffman regularly drained the water,hiring local men to clean the silt and residues on the pool wallsand floor. He then refilled the pool in time for weekend bathers.He added other attractions to his new amusement park includinga luncheonette, gift shop, shooting gallery and ride called theWhip. In 1926, The Philadelphia Toboggan Co. was commissioned to design and build a roller coaster and carousel for LaurelPark. The roller coaster alone cost 13,600. Kauffman hiredMidge and Gene Otto to manage the park; they were concessioners living in Harrisburg and during the Park’s first summer season, they traveled from Harrisburg to Gretna to work for Mr.Kauffman. The Lebanon Daily News ran a large advertisementfor Kauffman Park on July 1, 1926, describing the amusementfacilities and transportation to the park via the railroad.However, both natural and man-made events would causeKauffman’s investment schemes to be short-lived. Several summers of inclement weather led to the cancelation of Kauffman’sspecial events calendar (con’t next page)Laurel Park EntertainmentImagine the Heights with the Laurel ParkCarousel (above ) and roller coaster (atleft.)When the park officially opened onthe 4th of July, 1926, visitors couldenjoy food at the concessionstands, practice their aim at ashooting gallery, cool off in theswimming pool, or take a thrillingride on the Whip, roller coaster, orcarousel.D
Page 6Newsletter TitleFALL 2012View of the Kauffman Storefrom the eastern entrance to theCampmeeting grounds.Our Mission: The Society ischarged with preserving theheritage of the entire MountGretna area, includingMount Gretna Borough, thePennsylvania Chautauqua,Mount GretnaCampmeeting, MountGretna Heights, TimberHills, Conewago Hill,Stoberdale, areas toColebrook once occupied bythe Pennsylvania NationalGuard, and areas ofCornwall which involved theColeman family.(con’t) that had beenbooked for the 1926-1927 seasons. The Stock Market crashin 1929 followed by the GreatDepression in the 1930s alsocontributed to a drop in tourism to Mount Gretna and impacted the success of Mr.Kauffman’s business ventures.In 1928 - 1929, the FarmersTrust Company of Lebanon,took over the Willows acreagenot including the Kauffmanmansion. The Bank also tookpossession of the KauffmanHeights development and Laurel Park property on May 8,1929. At that time, the Bankasked Gene and Midge Otto tocontinue managing the Parkwhich they did up to 1934. TheOtto family used the secondfloor of the refreshment standas their residence. Mr. Kauffman died a few years after thebank’s intervention, ending anambitious and extensive entrepreneurial career. By 1934 thepark’s carousel and rollercoaster were badly deterioratedand were taken down. All thatremains of the amusementpark today are the dam head,concrete pool and foundationalfooters for the roller coasterhidden by a dense growth ofmature trees and vegetation.Other former Kauffmanproperties changed hands inthe 1940s. The Kauffman Hotel and the Gables were boughtby the United MethodistChurch for use as dormitoriesduring the summer encampment seasons. The KauffmanStore was sold to John Mellinger who operated it in the1940s. Both buildings weredemolished in the 1970s. Laurel Park was also bought byvarious investors after the timeof Mr. Kauffman’s ownership.Farmer Trust Co. sold theproperty to Harvey G. Hastings for 4000 in 1937. Hastings conveyed the acreage toHenry E. Otto, nine years laterin 1946. On May 17, 1950, Mr.Otto sold the entire LaurelPark property to Dr. Elmerand Martha Denniston. TheDennistons constructed theirfamily home on the site wherethe original Laurel Park carousel stood.In 1960, Phares B. Gibble(deceased) and his wife, Joan,purchased the Laurel Parktract. As avid historians, environmentalists, and preserva-tionists, the Gibbles meticulously researched and recordedthe history of their propertyand the flora and fauna ontheir land for more than 50years. Phares Gibble left detailed recordings and photographs of his research on native plant and forest speciesincluding bog turtles, bird, andreptile populations. In 1972,heavy wind and rain from Hurricane Agnes toppled the damthat had been originally constructed by Abraham Kauffman. The Gibbles had thedam head rebuilt and the cement swimming pool repaired.Their conservation efforts havepreserved both the ecologicaland historical importance ofthis section of Mt. Gretna, andmaintained the beautiful woodland character that attractshundreds of visitors to thevillage each year.I would like to thank allthose who provided photographs and background information regarding the history ofAbraham Kauffman includingJack Bitner (1990), Phares andJoan Gibble, Morris Grinner,Pat Pinsler, and Scott Saylor.D
Newsletter TitleFALL 2012Page 7Please support our business sponsorsBuch Church Organ Co.1391 Main St.Ephrata, Pa. 17522717-733-6614Jigger ShopMt. Gretna, Pa. 17064717-964-9686Chef On The GoP.O. Box 194Mt. Gretna, Pa. 17064717-964-3541Madelaine GrayPhotography710 5th StreetMt. Gretna, Pa. 17064717-964-3118David L. GarverInsurance809 Holly LaneLebanon, Pa. 17042717-274-5810Mt. Gretna Lake andBeachP.O. Box 100Mt. Gretna, Pa. 17064717-964-3130Gretna TheatreP.O. Box 578Mt. Gretna, Pa. 17064717-964-3627Mt. Gretna Inn16 Kauffman St.Mt. Gretna, Pa. 17064717-964-3034Gretna Emporium1 Carnegie Ave.Mt. Gretna, Pa. 17064717-964-1820Mt. Gretna RealtyMt. Gretna, Pa. 17064717-964-2100Roland Nissley, ArchitectTimber RoadMt. Gretna, Pa. 17064717-964-2235Taylor Miller Pipe Organs26 E. 10th Ave.York, PA. 17404717-845-6504Thanks to the members ofthe Mt. Gretna AreaHistorical Society who arereceiving their newsletterby e-mail. This helps tocurtail printing andpostage costs and allowsdownloading the entirenewsletter in full color. Toreceive your newsletter bye-mail, visit the website atwww.mtgretnahistory.orgTimbers350 Timber RoadP.O. Box 10Mt. Gretna, Pa. 17064and click on newsletter ore-mailinfo@buchorgan.com.Mt. Gretna AreaHistorical Society BoardFred N. Buch,Chairman & PresidentDeborah HurstTrustee & SecretaryCindy MyerTreas. & Fin./EndowmentsJack AndersonTrustee & Oral HistoryLarry Bowman, TrusteeDr. David Bronstein, TrusteeDr. Patricia E. Gibble, TrusteeRonald Hontz, TrusteeDr. Jeffrey HurstTrustee & Publication ChairKerry McGuinness RoyerTrustee & NewsletterThomas L. McMahan, TrusteePeggy O'Neil, TrusteePat PinslerTrustee & Museum ChairMarla Pitt, Trustee, Newsletter,Nominating ChairRev. Michael Remel, TrusteeAdvisory:Connie Dwyer, Bulk Mail SupervisorStephen R. Gibble, Esq.,Honorary TrusteeRoland Nissley, Honorary TrusteePeter S. Seibert, Honorary TrusteeDavid Wood, Honorary TrusteeShawn Harbaugh, WebmasterEarl Lenington, ArchitecturalPreservation Chair. DThe Society home at206 Pennsylvania Ave., Mt. GretnaWinter HoursCall for appointment:964-3858 or964-3813Research Library is open—Call for appointment.
Mt. Gretna Area HistoricalSocietyFALL 2012P.O. Box 362Mt. Gretna, PA 17064The Society home is206 Pennsylvania Avenue in Mt. Gretna717.964.1105We’re on the web!www.mtgretnahistory.orgMt. Gretna Area Historical Society Chair Report by Fred BuchSee inside to read about AbrahamKauffman — Mount GretnaEntrepreneur. Pictured above isthe Kauffman Hotel and Garage,facing south.The 2012 season at the museum was extremely popular with large numbers of visitors interested inMount Gretna history, as well as, those seeking specific information about their cottages and historicevents. Researchers are uncovering new information buried in minutes books and in the many documents in our files. Some of this research will be shared in our newsletters and the literary journalD for 2013 by Chairman of Publications, Dr. W. Jeffrey Hurst.“Mount Gretna Review” being plannedThis year we have received an unprecedented 900 to 1000 documents and artifacts from residentsand former residents of Mount Gretna. In a few cases, we needed to be selective, particularly withfurniture items, since space is at a premium.A sincere THANK YOU to those who have already renewed their membership for 2012. Many ofthose who renewed included an additional donation, over and above their yearly dues, assisting uswith the historical society programs and preservation. For this, we are extremely grateful.If you have not renewed your membership this year, please do soon. You will save us the time andexpense of a reminder that will be sent by the end of the year. Each membership is important to usin the preservation of documents and artifacts. With the winter season soon to be upon us, the costof preservation increases. We depend on all of you to help.For those on your Christmas gift list, consider the book and booklets “Mt. Gretna : A ColemanLegacy”, “The Narrow Gauge Railroad” and the DVD of Mt Gretna History all by Jack Bitner, theHistory of the Campmeeting by Tom Meredith or the DVD of the Military by James Seltzer. Call usfor details 964-1105.Also, We have a Christmas Wish List:Students to help at the museum next summer.Past Perfect: Museum SoftwareNew or recently used flat bed type Copy Machine (up to 11x17.)If you can help, or know someone who can, please contact Fred at 1-800-242-3901.
Abraham L. Kauffman—Entrepreneur by Patricia E. Gibble, Ph.D. Page 4 The Gretna Chronicles FALL 2012 Above is the entrance to the Gables. Below is the Kauffman House, and . Carousel (above ) and roller coaster (at left.) When the park officially opened on the 4th of July, 1926, visitors could enjoy food at the concession stands, practice .
