Creeping closer to Philadelphia….
Middletown was founded in 1755 along the left bank of the Susquehanna River and was incorporated as a borough in 1828 after a sudden boom in development and population occurred as a result of the construction of the Union Canal, connecting Lancaster to Middletown. Earlier in 1824 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania‘s legislature authorized and funded the canal construction as part of the broad sweeping commercial initiative called the Main Line of Public Works; a forward looking project designing to connect Philadelphia to Pittsburgh by canals and river navigations which projects would continue to allow Philadelphia to challenge New York City (and its Erie Canal) for emerging mid-western markets beyond the Allegheny Mountains. Middletown was selected as the western terminus of the Union Canal, and it was named from its location halfway[5] between Lancaster and Carlisle, where an ascent exists to a low pass allowing easier (wagon era) travel[6] among the barrier mountains of the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians giving access into north-central Maryland and the valley of the Potomac River.[a] It is the oldest incorporated community in Dauphin County and is located within a rich agricultural area forming the western edge of Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
And for the boss’s latest interest in what’s ahead for America….
Middletown is located 3 miles (5 km) north of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant. The Unit #2 reactor at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant suffered a partial meltdown in 1979, causing then-Governor Richard “Dick” Thornburgh to order the evacuation of pregnant women and pre-school children from the area. Within days, 140,000 people had left the area.[8][9] President Jimmy Carter visited Middletown’s Community Building to calm the nerves of anxious residents.
And warming the cockles of this writer’s heart:
Because the town is old, diverse historic architectural styles abound. Middletown has everything from log houses (some whose construction is obscured by modern siding) to Victorian mansions, and beyond. The Simon Cameron House and Bank, B’nai Jacob Synagogue, St. Peter’s Kierch, Charles and Joseph Raymond Houses, Henry Smith Farm, and Swatara Ferry House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[10]
I’ll add live links to this post during the late afternoon as they become available.
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In the meantime, please post tweets and videos below of what’s going on in Pennsylvania, and any travel stories you may have of the place.
