Revolutionary War Monument, Middletown, Pa., 1931

A "photo that was taken in the town you currently live in" for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

I purchased this photo a year or two ago at an area antique mall, and it was only when I got it home that I realized that it showed a monument near where I live in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

Middletown--named for its location midway along the old road between Lancaster and Carlisle--is situated along the Susquehanna River about 10 miles from Harrisburg, the state capital, and is less than 5 miles from the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station, site of the 1979 nuclear accident.

Middletown is also in the midst of a south-central Pennsylvania tourist region that includes destinations like the Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch farmlands in Lancaster County, the Gettysburg Battlefield in Adams County, and the town of Hershey--known for chocolate manufacturing and an amusement park--in Dauphin County, the same county where Middletown is located.

Founded in 1755, Middletown is one of the oldest communities in the county, so it's not surprising that this Revolutionary War monument was erected and dedicated in 1931 with six-year-old William Lemon and his three-year-old sister Mary standing by in colonial costumes during the dedication ceremony on October 28. The monument still exists today next to St. Peter's Kierch, an historic Lutheran church dating to 1767.

For a recent photo of the monument, mouse over the image above. For additional views of the Revolutionary War monument and St. Peter's Kierch, select the thumbnail images below.



The inscription on the monument:

"Erected by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Swatara-Pine Ford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This tablet is in commemoration of the services of Revolutionary War soldiers buried at Middletown or immediate vicinity. This marker is dedicated in grateful recognition of their patriotism, valor, and fidelity."

The rest of the tablet lists the names of 17 commissioned officers, 7 non-commissioned officers, and 134 privates.

Typewritten note pasted to the back of the photo:

"Picture of marker and children who unveiled the tablet, October 28th, 1931: William Kemp Lemon 3rd, aged 6 years, Mary Katheryn Lemon, aged 3 years.

"Children of the American Revolution, descendants of four of the Revolutionary soldiers whose names appear on the tablet: Joseph Flora, Sr., John Bomberger, Capt. Frederick Rathwon, John Blattenberger.

"This memorial erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Swatara Pine Ford Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution in commemoration of the services of the Revolutionary Soldiers buried in Middletown and vicinity."