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The influence of Catholic religious life in the Harrisburg area has a long history.  Catholicism first came to Central Pennsylvania before the American Revolutionary War. It was German Jesuits who first constructed the first places of worship starting in 1730.  By the early 1800's there was a small Catholic mission in Harrisburg.  Along with the rest of the country Irish immigrants contributed to the growth of Harrisburg.   The Rev. Patrick Leary bought property on State Street in 1824, and the cornerstone for the first St. Patrick's church was laid two years later. The church was built for $6,500. The Diocese of Harrisburg was established by Pope Pius IX in 1868.  St. Patrick's was named the pro-cathedral of the new diocese.   St. Patrick's first cathedral continued in this leadership role for nearly 35 years.  Beginning in 1902 Bishop John W. Shanahan proposed that a more permanent cathedral be built in th...

One of the most popular outdoor features is a water garden. One of the worst headaches is pond algae problems.  One of the most important ways to solve any problem is to define it properly. Start with thinking how your pond naturally exists.  You don’t have an algae problem. Rather your pond has a balance problem. Here’s what keeps your pond’s ecosystem in balance: Minimal organic load. In short, keep out plant related debris typically that algae flourished from. ·          Put in the right plants that use the right nutrients.  In essence, starve your algae from growing. ·          Right size your fish population with your pond size.  Too many fish produce too much organic waste. ·          Minimize the amount of direct sunlight on the surface of your pond.  Here you need to balance the amount of sunlight your plants need. ...

Few commuters realize it but the Market Street Bridge today is literally a drive through history.  The Market Street Bridge is a stone arch bridge that spans the Susquehanna River between Harrisburg, and Wormleysburg.  The current structure is the third bridge built at its current location and is the second oldest remaining bridge in Harrisburg.  The bridge also carries BicyclePA Route J across the river. Some important background why the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. First this is actually the third bridge at this location.  The Camelback Bridge was the first bridge built to cross the Susquehanna River.  Construction was designed by Theodore Burr and building started in 1814 by Jacob Nailor.  After 6 years of construction it was opened as a toll bridge in 1820.  It was known back then as the Camelback Bridge. One of the unique features of this original wooden bridge was the fact it was a covered br...

Just like icing on a cake, choosing the right water plants to your water garden adds natural beauty.  Water plants also help with the ecological balance of your pond for healthy fish. Based on your water garden setting and effect you would like choose plants based on their mature height, spread  and sunlight. While most home pond keepers tend to focus on aesthetics be aware of the important role natural plants play in the healthy ecosystem right in your own backyard. Choosing the right plants mean less toxic and expensive chemicals.  Also less reliance on expensive mechanical filters. Here are the primary natural benefits of selecting the right mix of aquatic plants: ·          Oxygenation and filtration plants ·          Cool season plants ·          Warm season plants ·          Floating, subme...

PA has one of the more interesting stories of its Governor's mansion.  The Governors' first official residence was on South Second Street in downtown Harrisburg.   Because of the many crisis planning meetings necessary during the Civil War Governor Andrew Curtain concluded the residence was too small. The next residence for the governor was known as Keystone Hall and was located on North Front Street in Harrisburg.   Unfortunately, it was a large and drafty building with small sized rooms.  Not ideal for conducting business and social events.  After 79 years of use Governor Arthur James lead the legislative process necessary to procure property at Front and McKlay Streets in Harrisburg in 1941.  However, the onset of WWII delayed the actual building of the $2.5 million Governor's Mansion until 1966. Now, don't start feeling too sorry for all the governors that had to endure a long wait for their official state home.  Three Governors,...

Unlock your inner outdoor artist with your own waterfall design. The secret is to use durable materials that match your outdoor design theme. Think pots, stones, bowls to even old galvanized watering buckets. Create multiple cascades for variety, interest and the relaxing sounds of moving water. Are you looking for inspiration?  Check these waterfall designs out. First let's consider what I mean by your theme.  Are you focused on outdoor plants and colorful flowers around your water garden feature?  If so, consider durable materials that relate to that focus. How about different size empty clay pots for example?  An attractive design feature of those "stackable" pots in any order or angle you choose for a durable outside material that will repel water is that they typically have a drain hole in the bottom. You can use this to thread a plastic tube for your water return for your small electric pump for the top of your waterfall pot.  For the downstr...

Did you know there are some world famous brands directly connected with York PA? Anybody connected with weight training or bodybuilding knows the famous York Barbell brand.  York is also the headquarters of the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame. About half of the world famous American brand, Harley-Davidson motorcycles production workforce is near York.  If you think big American motorcycles is where it stops, think bigger. There are not one but two major manufacturers of the latest hydro-power turbine biggest parts. These companies are Voith Hydro and American Hydro. York is headquarters to York International, a Johnson Controls Company and one of the largest suppliers of HVAC systems in the United States. The Stauffer Biscuit Company has its roots in York and has produced animal crackers for over 140 years.  Since February 2004 it has been owned by Meiji Seika of Japan. One of the most popular discount retailers in the regions, The Bon-Ton, is headquartered ...

Do you feel dreamy and relaxed watching colorful goldfish or Kio swim in random circles?  If so, you likely have the water garden bug.  Let's see what we can do to help you get off to a great start with the right design ideas that will help you avoid trouble, headaches and expense down the road. Location - I scratch my head whenever I used to drive by a home in my prior neighborhood I lived in. The homeowner went to great expense to install a large pond and waterfall at the extreme corner of their property.  It was far away from where their home was let alone their patio.  I once saw them entertaining guests standing around with a beer in their hand looking at their pond. There wasn't even a chair to sit down to relax and enjoy the soothing sound of the beautiful waterfall. Take that extreme example as to what NOT to do.  Instead, consider... a) where does you and your family enjoy most about the outside of your home and would spend more time there if...

Did you know one of the prominent members of the York Revolution Minor League Baseball Team ownership group was Brooks Robinson? The former All Star Baltimore Oriole played for its predecessor the York White Roses. Before that you need to understand the history of the Central PA baseball teams. The York White Roses, also known as the York Pirates in their last two seasons of existence, played from 1884 to 1969. The White Roses were bitter rivals of the Red Roses of the nearby city of Lancaster. If you need to look further why how about starting in the annals of history? It turns out that both teams were named after the two factions of England's historic Wars of the Roses. York tried for ten years to bring professional baseball back to the city. The process looked promising in 2003, until politics and finances put a stumbling block to the project. In April 2006, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball formally announced an expansion team for the city of York.  Th...

A water garden is a growing popular way of relaxing right in your own backyard - until it's time to maintain it. Everyone likes beautiful koi swimming around, until they are facing algae problems from the  reflecting ponds they require. So what's the solution?  How do you get the best of both world's? A relaxing stress free environment without timely and costly maintenance? Consider a pondless waterfall.  Designed around your budget and space a pondless waterfall gives the illusion of a waterfall, the sound of moving water over stones, an underground or covered basin to retain all the  water and a quiet recirculating water pump. With this design you do not have a reflecting pool.  Some of the advantages of that include no  sunlight producing algae , no mosquitoes laying larvae in standing water  and less maintenance time  dealing with algae issues. Another important factor is safety. With pets or small children wandering into your b...

Gettysburg is known as the famous southern PA town that changed the course of our young nation. However, many historians agree it was what happened at York PA prior to that epic Civil War battle that helped the Union to withstand.   For those who grew up in the north most can recall from their American History classes the vital importance of the bloodiest battle at Gettysburg to preserve and eventually unite us into one nation.   The fact that Confederate forces penetrated well across the Mason Dixon line is hard to fathom when you consider how outnumbered and out resourced they were by the North. However, few know that York became the largest Northern town to be occupied by the Confederate army.  A  large division of Major General Jubal Anderson Early spent June 28–30, 1863, in and around York. Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Penn Common, York, Pennsylvania. The Common, or the Penn Park now, goes back to the family of William Penn, who gave it to the...

Did you know that during the American Revolutionary War the Continental Congress met at York? As the temporary capital of the first 13 colonies the Articles of Confederation were first drafted and adopted. However, they were  not ratified until March 1781. York considers itself the first Capital of the United States. However most historians generally consider it to be the fourth capital, after Philadelphia, Baltimore and Lancaster. Why would  York advocates proclaim this notoriety? The basis of their argument is that the  Articles of Confederation was the first legal document to refer to the colonies the name of the new nation to the world as "the United States of America". The opposing arguments states how the Declaration of Independence is viewed  as a legal document since this world famous document also used the  same term.  However, it's important to realized that the Declaration of Independence  would be considered a true legal ...

If you are fan of historical architecture or colonial time periods you'll want to stop by for a visit to the rich history of York PA. There are over a dozen well preserved historic structures reminding us of our humble beginnings in colonial times. ·          1741 Golden Plough Tavern (pictured here) ·          1751 General Horatio Gates House ·          1766 York Meetinghouse ·          1863 Billmeyer House ·          1888 York Central Market ·          1907 Moorish Revival Temple Beth Israel. What's notable about York is the fact that other buildings from other time periods have been taken care of so we can enjoy reflecting on the times we all came from. These include the Laurel-Rex Fire Company House, Forry House, Farmers Market...