Chambersburg Historic District
Posted by: deano1943
N 39° 56.249 W 077° 39.641
18S E 272663 N 4424208
The Chambersburg Historic District is located in Chambersburg Borough, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
Waymark Code: WM10PP
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 12/04/2006
Views: 8
Chambersburg Historic District includes the following downtown area: Memorial Square, US Routes 30 and 11, Queen, Main, Second, Third, Washington, and King Streets, as well as Philadelphia and Black Avenue(s).
Chambersburg, was begun by Colonel Benjamin Chambers, who settled in the area and laid out its lots in 1764. Earlier, in 1755, hundreds of settlers in the area had been killed and taken prisoner by hostile Indians, and Chambers was sent to build a fort for the protection of the settlers.
The town became the county seat in1803 when a formal government was set up by the state Assembly, and by 1859, Chambersburg was a stop on the Underground Railroad, which hid runaway slaves and aided in their escape to Canada and freedom. The infamous abolitionist, John Brown, and his followers met in Chambersburg while planning their disastrous raid on Harper's Ferry.
When the Civil War began in 1861, Chambersburg began several years of hardship, when 80,000 Confederate soldiers, under the leadership of General Lee, occupied the town. During this time, the town was repeatedly pillaged and the ammunition dump was destroyed. Early in 1864, in retaliation for a federal raid into Virginia, the Confederate army demanded that Chambersburg pay a $100,000 ransom in gold. The citizens refused and the town was looted and set on fire, making Chambersburg the only Northern town burned by the Confederate army. Although thousands of people were left homeless, the citizens quickly rebuilt, establishing Chambersburg as a center of industry and home to the Cumberland Valley Railroad. The city continues to thrive today, and to build on the history of hard work and determination of its forefathers.
Street address: US Route 30 and US Route 11 Chambersburg, Pa. USA 17201
County / Borough / Parish: Chambersburg Borough, Franklin County
Year listed: 1982
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Periods of significance: 1700-1749, 1750-1799, 1800-1824, 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899
Historic function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic
Current function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic
Privately owned?: no
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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