This truly grand building has a remarkable history dating back to the beginnings of our country. The Accomac Inn had its beginnings in 1722 when a two-hundred-acre tract called “The Partner’s Adventure” was first surveyed for Philip Syng and Thomas Brown.
Category: Historic
The House of Horrors: Mechanics Grove Lancaster County
In 1935 a formidable figure of crime and mystery stood in the shadow of five ugly charges: abortion, abortion resulting in a death, abortion resulting in the death of a child, and two violations of the narcotics laws. Dr. Harry C. Zimmerly was a practicing physician in Mechanics Grove, a village just below Quarryville. The rundown farmhouse-hospital named the “House of Horrors” drew thousands who came from most everywhere, nosing about in the hopes that they might find some trace of the remains of the girls and women that went missing. Moral derelicts of a Sadist, whose Sadistic tendencies were goaded on by hope, freely taken and freely given.
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Plan to Metal Detect in Pennsylvania? Here’s a few things you should know
This blog is for all my fellow searchers and history hunters. Most of us probably have equipment that we use daily, but some of you readers may be new to the hunt and need advice on where to start. There are a lot of options out there when it comes to metal detectors. My advice is if you are just starting out, start with something simple to make it easier on yourself.
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The Native Lands Heritage Trail
A few days ago, I hiked to the site of the last known Susquehannock Indian tribe village, the site of which is now part of the Native Lands York County Park. Located near Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, history and nature converge. The site is on top of the hill behind the Zimmerman Center (former Dritt Mansion) at Long Level. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the Byrd Leibhart site, the National Park Service recognizes it as worthy of nomination for National Historic Landmark status—America’s highest heritage honor. Although it’s a peaceful scene today, this land has seen much controversy, including battles for possession between the Seneca and the Susquehannock.
The ghost village of Safe Harbor: Born in fire and died by ice
Everyone that knows me knows that I’m sort of a history hunter. I have a great interest in historical landmarks/places, especially those of the abandoned kind or the places now known as ghost towns. Being a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, I decided to dig deeper into the history of Safe Harbor. Firstly, I’ll take you through some of the history of how Safe Harbor became what it is today, and then I will lead you through a nature trail that allows you to revisit what was once the original Safe Harbor Village that was devastated and destroyed by the 1904 ice flood.
If you visit Safe Harbor Dam today, you will see this sign. It commemorates the Conestoga Navigation Company and the bold venture of turning Lancaster into a port city. Its ambitious goal was to give Lancaster direct access to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other ports. Never mind the fact that Lancaster is 102 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
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The rivertown once known as Wright’s Ferry
I travel often to a lot of far out places in search of History. I’ve always been quite the history hunter, on a constant perpetual adventure in search of knowledge and to learn the stories of the people and places that existed hundreds of years ago. It’s actually become quite the addiction.
I was born & raised in a very historic community and I’m actually kind of surprised I didn’t write about my hometown sooner. I’ve lived in this small rivertown along the Susquehanna most of my life and I still discover things I’ve never known before. That’s why I love coming from a place rich with plenty of historic events.
So many people have made their way into Columbia (previously known as Wright’s Ferry) over the past 300 years – militia men, escaped slaves, bounty hunters, bootleggers, gangsters, and workers for the railroad, canals, mills and iron forges – all flowing in and out with the Susquehanna’s waters.
The Northwest River Trail
Earlier this week I walked the Northwest River Trail between Columbia and Chickies Rock. The Northwest Lancaster County River Trail follows the route of the historic Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, tracing the Susquehanna River northwest from Columbia to Falmouth. While the majority of the trail is paved, the northern segment from Bainbridge to Falmouth is largely undeveloped and best suited for walking, hiking, or mountain biking. The route now contains a trove of historic iron furnaces and building ruins, a canal lock, sections of the original towpath and canal bed, and an abandoned railroad tunnel.
The History & Haunts of Chickies Rock
Located between the boroughs of Columbia and Marietta is Chickies Rock. At over 422 acres, it is the county’s second-largest regional park. Its most notable feature is the massive outcropping of quartzite rock towering 200 feet above the river. The vista offers impressive views of York County, the borough of Marietta, and farmlands of northwestern Lancaster County.
Bike paths and walking trails now lead visitors to the sites of interest in Chickies Rock County Park. But one thing seems to run through its long history, unbidden and dark: the supernatural. Locals will agree that the view from Chickies Rock is indeed spectacular and that the history and geology of the site are interesting. But along with the beauty, science, and history are tales that encompass the mysterious: legends of curses, ghosts and strange monsters.
Hunting for Buried Treasure? Here are 5 lost treasures in Pennsylvania
What kid didn’t grow up with dreams of finding mysterious maps and buried chests of gold? I know I did.
Pennsylvania isn’t anywhere near the “high seas” trafficked by legendary swashbuckling pirates, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t hidden treasure out there.
Throughout history the Keystone state has had several tales of lost loot within the hills, mountains and caves. We probably won’t find a sunken Spanish galleon in the Allegheny River anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t hidden treasure out there waiting to be discovered. Hundreds of individual coins as well as silver and gold pieces have turned up across the state, but none of the historical hoards have ever been fully excavated.
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Lake Grubb Nature Park
It’s been a little while since I’ve uploaded any new hiking blogs. I haven’t been able to get out as much after being diagnosed with a Chronic Illness that’s known to cause widespread pain. As time passes, I am slowly learning my new physical abilities and limitations. I needed a trail that wasn’t too strenuous, and one that could help me build back my physical strength. The Lake Grubb Nature Park trail is perfect for that. It’s a 1.3-mile loop circling Lake Grubb. There are a few inclines, but nothing too steep. This trail is perfect to get me back out there. I know it’ll take time to get back to my previous physical capabilities. It’ll just take a lot of work and patience on my part.
Wander Woman 