Lancaster County PA Realty Check: Pennsylvania: Columbia

A most interesting place to visit in Lancaster County, PA is the National Clock and Watch Museum in Columbia.   Run by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, the museum first opened in 1977 with about 1,000 items, but has expanded to over 12,000 items, from the most intricate pocket watches to magnificent granfather clocks and antique animated clocks.

A separate area features railroad watches from the long history of American railroads.  Other specialized displays feature French clocks, German musical clocks, tower clocks,  and American clocks from 1780 to 1880.  The museum is recognized as the largest collection of clocks in North America. 

The Watch and Clock Museum is located at 514 Poplar Street, Columbia, PA.  You can get more information from their website.  The clock tower can be seen for blocks around the museum neighborhood.

Copyright2009BrianSchulman©

On a windy late November day, I passed over the Chickies Hill between Marietta and Columbia, PA.  Shortly before Columbia, I stopped at the Breezy View Overlook.

       Just off Pennsylvania Route 441, the Overlook offers a spectacular view of the Susquehanna River.

"Breezy View" was an understatement on this windy November day - I had to stay away from the edge to make sure the wind wouldn't blow me over the precipice, which is steeper than it looks in the photograph!

                                 The Susquehanna Heritage Trail runs along the overlook.

                      A picnic area serves as a pleasant place for a repast in warmer weather.

Copyright2007BrianSchulman©

Burning Bridge Antiques, located at 304 Walnut Street, Columbia, PA, is going upscale for the holidays!

            Manager Lou Girolami is decorating the store windows in New York City style this season.

                                     This one is called "Champaigne Punch by Tiffany's".

                               This window is called "Scooters in the Sky by FAO Schwartz".

Copyright2007BrianSchulman©

The Susquehanna River has always been a landmark of Central Pennsylvania.  The river's name is said to have come from a native American word meaning "muddy current". 

200 years ago, trees shipped down from the virgin forests around Williamsport, on the West Branch of the Susquehanna in North Central PA,  helped to fuel a thriving lumber and building industry along the river towns in Lancaster County.

In the 1820s, canals were built along the Susquehanna, further enabling river towns like Columbia and Marietta to grow.

In the second half of the 1800s, railroads continued the progress of the river towns, but the river remained a central part of the economy.

Columbia today is the largest borough between the state capitol at Harrisburg and the end of the Susquehanna at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

In recent times, the Susquehanna Valley River Towns of Columbia and Marietta have become increasingly popular destinations for tourists seeking antiques, art, historic architecture, and beautiful scenery!

Copyright2007BrianSchulman©

Saturday, October sixth, a glorious day in the annals of weather history, was the date of the annual Columbia, PA Bridge Bust.

The historic Old Bridge over the Susquehanna River was entirely closed off to traffic between Columbia and Wrightsville.

The bridge, built in 1930 as a memorial to the sons and daughters of Lancaster and York Counties who served in the wars of their country, is a graceful deco art arched concrete structure.

The entire span, over a mile across, was taken over by gaily decorated tents and concessions selling and displaying art, crafts, antiques, food - plus local businesses and organizations.

I walked across the entire span from Lancaster County to York County.  As the blazing sun beat down, it was 91 degrees in the shade - only on the bridge, there was little shade to be found!

By the time I had reached the Wrightsville, I had not only finished the bottle of water I took with me, I had worked up a powerful thirst for more!  Luckily, there was a concession at the edge of the bridge with ice cold water for sale.  When I told them I had walked clear across the bridge, they gave me a free donut!

Shortly after turning back around toward Lancaster County, I had polished off the second bottle of water.  With the sun now shining behind me from the west, it was easier to take pictures. 

Copyright2007BrianSchulman©

Rivertownes PA is a cooperative effort between the Susquehanna River towns of Marietta, Columbia, and Wrightsville.

The River Road Historic Excursion is a three hour tour that has been developed by Rivertownes PA USA to showcase the history of the towns on both the Lancaster and York County sides of the Susquehanna River.  A map of the tour is available for $20 From the Susquehanna Valley Visitors Center at Fifth and Linden Streets in Columbia.

The tour starts at the Vesta Furnace Office on Furnace Road in Marietta, the last remaining building of the 1868 Vesta Iron Furnace Site.  Vehicles then cross the Route 30 Bridge and come back across the old Veterans Memorial Bridge, a multiple arched concrete bridge that takes the Lincoln Highway (Route 462) to Columbia, past the Columbia River Park.

The tour then takes Route 441 south to Washington Boro, with a stop at the Blue Rock Heritage Center, a recently restored stone mill.  The route then meanders from the river through some beautiful countryside toward Holtwood, where a crossing is made over the Norman Wood Bridge into York County, past Lock #12, one of the best preserved locks of the Susquehanna Tidewater Canal.

Several optional scenic stops can be made before the tour winds up at the John Wright Store and Restaurant in Wrightsville. 

The non-profit Rivertownes PA USA will utilize the profits from the tour map for preservation projects in the Susquehanna Valley. 

Copyright2007BrianSchulman©

Columbia, PA is known for its historic architecture.  Located along the Susquehanna River, it became a canal shipping center in the 1840s. Later in the 1800s, Columbia was a thriving railroad town.  The wealth that was created in Columbia led to the building of many significant historic homes, a large number of which still exist.

This architectural exuberance was reflected as well in the churches of Columbia.  Below is a mural on the Holy Trinity Parish Center.

The dignified Holy Trinity Catholic Church sits across from the parish center. 

Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran is a landmark of Gothic architecture at Locust and Fourth Streets.

 The Columbia United Methodist Church is a familiar sight on Fourth Street.

This Carpenter Gothic nineteenth century brownstone church on North Fifth Street is now the Great Love of Confucianism and Tao Association.

June 16, 2007 was a perfect day for a classic car show in Columbia, PA.  The temperature was a comfortable seventy-eight degrees.  The sun framed the few white clouds in the sky, making a great backdrop for some of the finest antique, classic and customized cars and motorcycles in Lancaster County.

American flags festooned the street lamp posts, and a good crowd was out for the celebration.  Locust Street, Columbia's main business street, was closed off from traffic.  Some local businesses had displays or refreshments out on the sidewalk.

OF course, concession food was available, to add to the carnival atmosphere!  What  street fair would be complete without lemonade and funnel cake?

Up and down the street could be heard the live music of a rock 'n' roll band playing "Mustang Sally" and other hits of the 1950s and 1960s.

The day wound up with awards for the winning cars, and prizes for contest entrants.  All in all, Columbia's 2007 Classic Car Show was a complete success!

For over 100 years, Herr's Hardware Store stood on the corner of North Third and Walnut Streets in Columbia, PA.  When Herr's closed its doors a few years ago, it was hoped that the whatever new use was found for the building, its unique architectural features would be preserved. 

And indeed they have been!  Burning Bridge Antiques Market is one of the finest dealer cooperative antiques markets in Lancaster County.  The ornate pressed tin ceilings have been preserved, as has the original antique elevator that runs from the basement to the second floor.  The 24,000 square foot market houses 70 dealer booths and 120 showcases display quality antiques and collectibles of all periods.

The hardwood floors, limestone walls, chestnut millwork and wonderful windows have all been preserved.  There is a full-time sales staff to assist you, and the market has climate control and clean rest rooms.  Burning Bridge Antiques Market is open every day:  Monday through Wednesday 10-5, Thursday and Friday 10-8, Saturday 10-5, and Sunday 12-5.

The National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia,  is a most interesting place to visit while in western Lancaster County, PA.  Run by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, the museum first opened in 1977 with about 1,000 items, but has expanded to over 12,000 items, from the most intricate pocket watches to magnificent granfather clocks and antique animated clocks.

A separate area features railroad watches from the long history of American railroads.  Other specialized displays feature French clocks, German musical clocks, tower clocks,  and American clocks from 1780 to 1880.  The museum is recognized as the largest collection of clocks in North America. 

The Watch and Clock Museum is located at 514 Poplar Street, Columbia, PA.  You can get more information from their website at www.nawcc.org/museum/museum.htm 

Copyright2007BrianSchulman©