The Early History of Middlesex Township
Middlesex is one of the oldest settlements in Cumberland County. In 1727 John Chambers sr. settled where the LeTort Spring flows into the Condodoguinet Creek, on a grant of land given by William Penn. There he established the first flour mill in the Cumberland Valley.
He named his new village "Middlesex", after the English County which the Middle Saxons had occupied since the 4th century. When Middlesex Township was established in 1859, it was named after the village of Middlesex, which was located near the middle of the township.
The early settlers always settled near the streams in order to utilize the water power. Soon the village consisted of a flour mill, sawmill, fulling mill, and a distillery using the never failing LeTort stream as the source of water power.
Before the American Revolution, the mill at Middlesex was supplying flour for the troops during the Indian War of 1756.
Robert Callender was the next prominent person to own the mill and the large Middlesex tract. He, in turn, was followed by Ephraim Blaine, who was Deputy Commissary General for the middle district of the American Army during the Revolution.
It was during Ephraim Blaine's ownership that the Middlesex Mill played an important part in supplying flour for the Revolution. Together, Colonel Blaine and Robert Callendar turned out and furnished much of the flour and meal that helped feed the Continental Army through the dark days at Valley Forge.
General Washington, a good friend of Ephraim Blaine, sent a messenger to Colonel Blaine saying, "for God's sake send us food and supplies." Blaine sent back this message: "Send me money to pay my bills." Nevertheless, like true patriots, the supplies were dispatched and paid out of the pockets of these patriots who with other friends here paid into the treasury for freedom, about $600,000.
Ephraim Blaine is buried at Middlesex, along the Conodoguinet, very near the site of the first permanent dwelling of this section. His marked grave is off Mill road on the creek bank, just above the cave. This cave also figured in the life of David Lewis, known as "Lewis the Robber."
Lewis, in his travels, used a series of caves up and down the Conodoguinet as hideouts. This daring highwayman used to boast that he was not a robber, but only an equalizer, because he took from the rich and gave to the poor. He was sometimes called the "Robin Hood of Cumberland Valley."
Going back to the days of the Revolution, another patriot was William Denning who was an artificer in the army of the Revolution. Denning owned a blacksmith shop along the LeTort. It was here he made the only successful attempt to manufacture a wrought iron cannon. He completed two of these at Middlesex, and it is said one was taken by the British at the Battle of Brandywine, and was then placed in the Tower of London.
The tourist industry was thriving in Middlesex Township before the mid 1800's. Carlisle Springs was famous for its mineral and sulphur springs, and featured a large 200 room health resort built in 1854.
Visitors from cities such as Baltimore and Philadelphia found an ideal quiet summer retreat, complete with picturesque mountain scenery, drive, walks, music and bowling saloon, while enjoying the benefits of the mineral waters for drinking and bathing.
Unfortunately, this large hotel burned around 1867 and Carlisle Springs never regained its popularity as a resort, although the village now included a general store, a saddler shop, a tannery, and the post office.
During the Civil War this area figured in the northward march of the Confederates, just prior to the Battle of Gettysburg. As the inscription of the tablet at North Lee Farms, 3700 Spring road, reads: "The farthest North attained by any organized body of the Confederate Army of General Robert E. Lee was reached here at the farm of Joseph Miller on the morning of June 28, 1863. Hearing that Sterretts Gap was occupied by Union Troops, these outposts returned to their command at Carlisle. From these hills the tide of the Confederate invasion receded, destined never to return."
At that time the Civil War draft took heavily of the citizenry, with units being formed from the communities. These units had a drill and practice field on the Lamberton property at what is now 201-215 North Middlesex road.
After the civil war, the "little red schoolhouses" made their appearance in Middlesex Township, most being built on or near the site of the older log schools. These one-room, brick structures were under the supervision of the newly organized Middlesex School Directors. Here grades one through eight were taught by one teacher. There were nine schools within the township. These buildings were used until 1957 when the new Middlesex Elementary School, containing 12 classrooms, cafeteria, and indoor plumbing was built. Additions were made in 1970 bringing the building to its present size.
During World War I and World War II many young men and young women from the community went into the service of their country, while those on the home front actively supported the war efforts.
During World War II an aircraft spotters observation post stood on the highest hill along Country Club Road, where the spotter's duty was to identify and report (via party telephone line) every airplane that flew over the area. This was carried out by many local volunteers, around the clock.
At this time German POW's were housed on the grounds along Harrisburg Pike, which were known until recently as the Dickinson College ball fields.
The character of the area was forever changed in 1940 when the PA Turnpike, the nation's first super highway, an "all weather" toll road, was opened between Irwin (near Pittsburgh) and Middlesex. Thus began the tourist and trucking industries in our area, and the need to provide services for the travelling public.
With the extension of the Turnpike eastward from Middlesex in 1950, and the subsequent construction of I-81, this intersection of the interstates formed a crossroads for commerce, which has resulted in unprecedented growth in the Township.
Special thanks to former Township Secretary, and long time resident, Mr. Robert Preston, for allowing this work to be re-printed here. This originally appeared in the Township Newsletter, 1995.
Did you know?
- On Wertzville rd. between Mountain rd. and Sunnyside dr. Native Americans passed through Sterrets Gap, wounding a man, killing his horse, and captured a woman, her two sons and daughter.
- North Middlesex road was originally a Native American trail leading to Sterret's Gap.
- In the area of the Country Club students from the Carlisle Indian School lived and learned modern farming practices. Some attended the Middlesex one-room school.
- Old Stonehouse rd., near the train tracks, was the site of the Middlesex Passenger and Freight Station of the Cumberland Valley Railroad in 1837.
- A Native American village was situated on Old Stonehouse road near Ridge drive and what is now the township line.
- The Pheasant Field Bed and Breakfast, located on Hickorytown rd., was part of the underground railroad. Rev. Gen. John Miller is said to be buried in a field here.
- Confederate Troops travelled through Hickorytown on June 28th, 1863, on their way to shell Carlisle, after spending the night in Mechanicsburg.
- Drytown, located on Claremont rd., is said to have received it's name because the town residents would not give soldiers water as they passed through. It was originally called Fairview.
- The Claremont Nursing and Rehab Center was the site of the Duncan Mansion. In 1791 Mr. John Duncan, prominent merchant, challenged Gen. James Lamberton to a duel, because of a political remark. They met near Carlisle. At the first shot Duncan was shot through the head. In 1830 the mansion was sold to Cumberland County for an Alms (poor) house.