The Borough of Christiana
Welcome Booklet
“FREEDOM BEGAN HERE”
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Welcome to Christiana!
We are glad you are here and hope this information packet provides you with what you need to know to help you get
oriented to your new town.
It’s our hope that this packet will give you a clear picture of what Christiana has to offer. We also hope that you will
become an active participant in our community.
This packet is divided into the following sections:
Christiana’s Beginnings ................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Borough Government ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Community Services ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Education ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Churches.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Local Businesses............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Recreation Activities, Events, and Organizations ..................................................................................................................10
Recreation Facilities .....................................................................................................................................................................11
Voting Information .....................................................................................................................................................................11
Some of the information in this booklet, and additional information, is available at our borough website. Please visit
us at www.christiana.boroughs.org.
Our town has a rich history and we start this booklet with a brief recount of Christiana’s history. This information has
been excerpted from the 1994 Christiana Centennial booklet.
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Christiana’s Beginnings
1691-1846
The year was 1691 when the settler, John Kemmerly, moved into the area now known as Sadsbury Township. Shortly
thereafter, William Penn granted his first tract of one thousand acres which included a Shawnee Indian village.
Indian villages were once located in a number of places surrounding what is now Christiana Borough. One such
village was located at the end of Broad Street, near the Williams Run development. It was a large Shawnee tribe who
quarried soap stone from a mine located on a hill overlooking the creek along which their homes were located. Pieces
of soap stone bowls and other artifacts could be found in this area as late as 1900.
Through warrants issued in 1702, 1703, and 1709, a tract of one thousand and fifty acres, on a part of which was
taken up as “servants land.” Twenty-one servants came from England into Pennsylvania and were each granted fifty
acres by virtue of the Proprietary’s promise in their homeland. These original settlers were Friends and Scotch-Irish
Presbyterians.
Lancaster County was formed from a portion of Chester County in 1729. Through this separation, Sadsbury
Township, Lancaster County was formed from Sadsbury Township, Chester County.
Christiana began as a settlement in 1775 when Calvin Cooper constructed a fulling-mill, the first of many mills along
the banks of the Octorara. It has been held that the machinery used was brought to this country from England.
Moore’s, Sterrett’s, and Taylor’s grist mills were erected soon after the organization of the county.
Because of word in 1833 that the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad would build a line that would pass through the
area, William Noble constructed a foundry, blacksmith shop, and machine shop and, using the railroad to form a dam
breast, a waterwheel-house. All were put into operation in 1834.
In 1844, Hugh McClarron built a warehouse near the railroad and, for some years thereafter, engaged in the grain and
produce business. Mr. Noble’s foundry continued operation until 1844 when operations were suspended. At this time,
the settlement was known as McClarronville.
In the summer of 1846, Samuel L. Denney purchased the foundry from Mr. Noble along with twelve acres of land.
He again opened the foundry and started the operation of a machine shop. This shop later became known as the
Christiana Machine Company. Because of the successful operation of this business, an influx of workmen were
brought to the area. Also in town, were the farm buildings of Samuel Slokom and Zercher’s Hotel.
1847-1883
Because of the dissatisfaction of the local populace with the name McClarronville, the town name was changed in
1847 to Christiana, in honor of Christiana Noble, the first wife of William Noble. During the same year, Pownall and
Dickinson erected two brick dwellings and a brick store, now part of Christiana Enterprises. During this same year, a
warehouse was constructed and a lumber-yard established by the same Pownall and Dickinson. It went through
several owners until 1873 when it was purchased by Brinton Walter who enlarged the buildings and increased the
capacity of the business. He laid a double track from the Pennsylvania Railroad, and erected coal bins with a railroad
track on trestles above them.
The events of September 11, 1851, now known as the Christiana Riot, brought great excitement and national
recognition to the area. Blood was shed, one person lost his life, another was severely wounded and many of the
town’s residents were arrested, placed in jail and tried for treason against the United States Government. Found “Not
Guilty,” many of those charged went on to be forceful spokesmen for the cause of freedom and worked for the
revocation of the Fugitive Slave Act.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Denney noticed that, because of a shortage of molasses and syrups,
manufacturing them from sorghum cane could be very profitable. He had invented a process and obtained a patent
for a mill or machine for pressing the juice from the cane. He sold this right to Isaac Broomell and the manufacture of
this machinery proved to be an important addition to the articles already produced at the machine company. All of the
power for the machine company, until about 1883, had been furnished by water power from the North Branch of the
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Octorara Creek. But, by this time it was no longer sufficient and steam power was introduced and used almost
exclusively.
In 1882, the National Bank of Christiana was formed with a capital of $50,000. And by 1883, Christiana was
considered one of the most active business towns in Lancaster County. The population had reached an estimate of
800. It had four general stores, one hardware store, one grocery, three millinery stores, two drug stores, two
physicians, two restaurants, a bakery, three shoe shops, one merchant tailor, one barber, two tin shops, two
blacksmith shops, one agricultural implement warehouse, one coal and lumber yard and three livery stables.
In 1883, the town’s first newspaper, the Christiana Ledger, was published by A.J. Melcher and J.M. White. It was a
weekly paper of six columns, devoted to local and general news and was printed on a steam-powered press.
1884 - 1894
On August 22, 1893, a petition was approved by the Lancaster County Grand Jury stating that the right to incorporate
could be placed on the ballot and a vote taken by those living in Christiana.
“And now, December 4th A.D. 1893, the Court confirms the judgment of the Grand Jury, and declares that the said
town of Christiana be incorporated into a Borough in conformity with the prayer of the petitioners; that the corporate
style and title thereof shall be ‘The Borough of Christiana’.” The incorporation was finalized in January, 1894.
Voting took place on February 20, 1894, and the move was made to incorporate. Those elected to office were:
Isaac W. Slokom
Mahlon B. Kent
James B. Kennedy
E.G. Bromell
Harry Daves
John D. Harrar
Brinton Walter
Thompson Pennock
P.E. Hannum
Nathaniel Gillespie
Mayor
President of Council
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
High Constable
Clerk
Treasurer
The Council fully adopted the By-Laws on March 12, 1894 and on March 14, H.G. Book and A.W. Moore were hired
to make a survey of the Borough limits. The cost for this service was $8.00.
On September 3, 1894, Andrew J. Melcher was offered the sum of $450.00 per year to furnish 25 lights of 32
candlepower to be located as directed by Council and for full night service of one hour after sunset and to continue
until one-half hour after sunrise. The contract was to last for five years. Full, moon-lit nights were accepted. The first
electric bill presented to the Council for one month was $38.50. The Christiana Electric Light Plant lasted until 1912
when it was sold to the Electric Company of Lancaster. The local company served Christiana, Atglen, Kinzers, and
Lenover.
1895 - Today
On January 14, 1895, a lock-up was constructed in the fire hall, located on East Slokom Avenue. The lock-up was on
the first floor and Council met on the second floor. This lock-up was used until 1939.
Andrew J. Melcher was given permission to dig up Borough streets on September 11, 1902 in order to lay steam pipes
to be used for the heating of homes. It’s not known how long his steam heating system lasted but, by 1906, there were
34 electric lights in the Borough. At the same time, Mr. Melcher established a telephone system in town, the first in
the county outside the city of Lancaster.
For entertainment, the local band arranged for five concerts to be held on the steps of the bank during the summer of
1913. The burgess was instructed to hire an officer to keep order during these occasions. He was to be on duty
between the hours of 7:00 and 8:00pm and was paid $1.00 per night.
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By 1916, the high level of taxes caused much talk among the local citizens. The tax was 35 cents for each horse kept
within Borough limits. Since this was the main method of transportation at that time, the people were of the opinion
that they were paying too much.
In checking the Borough Council minute book, the Council continued to use a horse and cart of Borough service as
late as March 7, 1939.
It was once stated that Christiana was as well and favorably known as any town of its size in Pennsylvania. “The name
of the town is associated with antebellum events scarcely less known in political history than John Brown’s raid and
the Harper’s Ferry Riot.”
Christiana Borough has remained, to the present, a quiet town with a country atmosphere. The population has
remained at the same level over the past twenty-five years and building construction has been limited to the one area
of the Borough. Our citizens feel that they belong here and that this is where children can be raised in a proper
manner in healthy surroundings.
The Christiana Riot Monument, standing at the corner of Green Street and East Slokom Avenue stands as a silent
reminder of the events that once put Christiana on the national map. It reminds those passing that our past residents,
long gone from the scene, believed that freedom belonged to everyone and that the law should be a protector of all its
citizens.
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Borough Government
The Christiana Borough Council meets at 7:00pm the first Tuesday of every month in the Christiana Borough Hall
Building at 10 W. Slokum Ave.. The public is invited to attend.
Name or Office
Borough office
Virginia Blair
Robin Coffroth
R. David Hirst
Glenn Kendig
Michele Maser
Gerald Woods
Jeff Peterson
Mark Carner
- Council
- Council President
- Council
- Council
- Council
- Council
- Council
- Mayor
Carol L. Pringle
- Borough Manager
Secretary/Treasurer
Lancaster Co. Treasurer - Tax Collector
Address
PO Box 135
10 W. Slokom Ave
10 W Slokom Ave., PO Box 135
10 W Slokom Ave., PO Box 135
10 W Slokom Ave., PO Box 135
10 W Slokom Ave., PO Box 135
10 W Slokom Ave., PO Box 135
10 W Slokom Ave., PO Box 135
10 W Slokom Ave., PO Box 135
10 W. Slokom Ave.
PO Box 135
10 W. Slokom Ave.
PO Box 135
PO Box 83480, Lancaster, PA
Contact
610-593-5199
610-593-7073 fax
610-593-2100
610-593-6313
610-593-1017
717-413-2872
610-593-5892
610-593-1195
Evenings/Weekends
6:00 – 9:00pm
610-593-5199
717-299-8222
Community Services
Name
Christiana Fire Company
Location
214 S. Bridge St.
Christiana Police
Department
10 W. Slokom Ave.
Christiana Community
Ambulance Assoc., Inc.
Meals on Wheels
55 Pine St.
Christiana Borough Sewage
Treatment Plant
Christiana Borough Water
Treatment Plant
23 Green St.
528 W. Broad St.
New Holland
Events
Monthly Saturday breakfast,
Basket bingo 4 times/year,
Annual chicken pot-pie and
spaghetti dinners
Contact
Dial 911 for emergency
Sonny Reimold
Fire Chief
Business calls:
610-593-2142
Activities Committee
Mrs. John Kauffman
(Upper Valley Rd.) or
Trish McAlevey
610-593-1998
Dial 911 for emergency
Business calls:
610-593-2234
Dial 911 for emergency
610-593-8166
Selma Wells
610-593-5467
717-354-7857
Evan Fields
610-593-6502
610-593-0387 fax
Evan Fields
717-442-1095
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Name
Trash Collection
Eagle Disposal
Location
Events
Trash and recycle materials are collected on Monday
morning. Your recycle bin should be at your residence,
left there by the previous resident. If you need a recycle
bin, please contact the borough office.
Contact
Borough office
610-593-5199
Education
Name
Octorara Primary Learning Center (OPLC)
Octorara Elementary School (OES)
Octorara Middle School (OMS)
Octorara High School (OHS)
Location
Highland Rd., Atglen
Highland Rd., Atglen
Highland Rd., Atglen
Highland Rd., Atglen
Contact
610-593-8350
610-593-8244
610-593-8221
610-593-8251
Churches
Name
Christiana United
Methodist
Freedom Life
Christian Center
Latta Memorial
Presbyterian
Living Truth
Fellowship
Our Lady of
Consolation (Roman
Catholic)
Sadsbury Monthly
Meeting of the
Religious Society of
Friends (Quaker)
Mt. Zion AME
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Pastor/Services
Allan Sumerfield
9:30am Sunday school (all ages)
10:45am Sunday worship
Alpha program offered
Sam Masteller
Location
14 S. Bridge St.
Contact
610-593-6270
447 Noble Rd.
610-593-5959
9:30am Sunday school
10:45 Sunday worship
Pastor Pat Wilson
9:00am Sunday school
10:00 Sunday worship
Rev. Victor J. Eschbach
Saturday 5pm (Church),
Sunday 7:30am (Church), 9am
(Parish Center); 11am
(Church); 5pm (Parish Center)
Niki Barnes (clerk)
10:15 Service
11:00 Adult forum
23 Green St.
610-593-5467
1 Penn Ave
610-593-2212
ltfchurch@epix.net
www.livingtruthfellowship.org
610-857-3510
Simmontown Rd.
Gap
610-593-7004
Rev. Linwood M. Smith, Jr.
10:30am Sunday worship
7:00pm Bible Study
404 Zion Hill Rd
Atglen, PA
610-593-2531
www.mountzionamecatglen.org
603 West 2nd Ave.
Parkesburg
christianaumc@epix.net
Local Businesses
Name
Angie’s Shampoo & Shave
Nature of Business
Grooming, Training, Boarding
and Daycare
Location
28 S. Bridge Street
Contact
610-593-5631
Appel & Yost
Attorney
4 Sadsbury Ave.
Bond Machine Company
Chantry Place
Machining
Wedding & Special events
facility
Optometrist
Car repair & maintenance
11 Green St.
15 North Bridge Street
610-593-6740
www.appelyost.com
610-593-5171
610-593-6945
316 Newport Ave.
315 S. Bridge St.
610-593-6670
610-593-6362
150 Water St.
610-593-5298
129 Sadsbury Ave
610-593-6242
Christiana Eye Care
Christiana Garage
Christiana Laundry, Car Wash
& Tanning
www.angiesdogshampoo.com
www.chantryplace.com
www.christianagarage.com
Clean Stream Water
Dry cleaning, Self- service
laundry, Self-service and
automatic car wash, tanning
Water filtration & purification
Harrison House
Skilled-care facility
41 Newport Ave.
610-593-6901
Joan Hirst
Realtor for Hostetter Realty
717-442-4114
Hirst Systems
TV, Stereo, satellite dish
systems, home security systems
Auto detailing
5288 Lincoln Hwy
Gap, PA
8 Gay St.
www.cleanstreamwater.com
www.harrisonseniorliving.com
158 Water St.
610-593-5075
www.hirstsystems.com
610-593-2739
119 N. Bridge St.
610-593-2293
Kim Moore – Avon &
Longaberger
Michele Maser –Tastefully
Simple
Pasquales
Installation & maintenance of
heating & air-conditioning
systems
Avon & Longaberger
Representative
Tasteful, simple food products
for a unique food experience
Pizza shop
211 S. Bridge St.
610-593-8145
344 N. Bridge St.
610-593-1017
16 Gay St.
Pipe Data View Services
Robin Coffroth
Inspection service
Realtor for Barr Realty
Shivery Funeral Home
Funeral services
318 S. Bridge St.
PO Box 7
Gap, PA
111 Elizabeth St.
610-593-5886
610-593-9393
https://www.faceboo
k.com/PasqualesPizza
ChristianaPA
610-593-2263
717-442-9221
robin@barr1.com
610-593-5967
The Barnyard
Storage sheds, gazebos, garages
52 Mill St.
610-593-840
The Quilt Ledger
Quilting Supplies, Fabric
326 N. Bridge St.
610-593-7300
Thiers Trucking
Military vehicle restoration &
sales
Plumbing
General contractor – historic
structure restoration &
Kendig’s Auto Detailing
Kendig’s Heating & Airconditioning
Underwood Plumbing
Victorian Heritage, Inc.
www.kendigsautodetailing.com
https://www.facebook.com
/pages/Kendigs
www.shiveryfuneralhome.com
www.barnyardsheds.com
www.thequiltledger.com
610-593-1218
109 Green St.
610-593-6201
610-593-6612
www.victorianheritageinc.com
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Name
Wenger & Company, PC
Chad L. Wenger, CPA
Walter & Jackson
Nature of Business
preservation
Accounting services for small
businesses & farms
Tax preparation for individuals,
corporations, partnerships & tax
exempt organizations
Building supplies, deck design,
window and door sales, kitchen
design and layouts
Location
Contact
4 Sadsbury Ave.
610-593-6470
Or
717-786-6935
Fax 610-593-2954
www,wengercopc.com
610-593-5195
Gay St.
www.walterandjackson.com
Recreation Activities, Events, and Organizations
Name
American Legion
Activities
Holiday dinners and picnics
Easter Egg Hunt
Borough Yard Sale
Annual community-wide yard sale
(end of August - early September)
Program meetings/guest speakers
Meets quarterly, second Wednesday
of Month.
Monthly sub sale
Park clean-up
Old-fashioned Christmas & lighting
contest
Snow Prince/Princess contest
Christmas tree mulching
Biennial talent show
White Cane Day
Christiana Historical Society
Christiana Lions’ Club
Contact
219 Newport Ave.
610-593-2993
https://www.facebook.com/ChristianaAmerican-Legion-Post-865
Borough Office
610-593-5199
Darlene Colon – president
717-291-1253
325 N. Bridge St.
Questions email:
ChristianaLionsClub@comcast.net
Face Book Page:
https://www.facebook.com/ChristianaLionsClub
Lancaster Chapter, National
Railway Historical Society
Masonic Lodge
Historical displays, rail excursions,
railroad preservation and restoration
Party and Meeting facility available
with small kitchen
Glenn Kendig
610-593-6313
Kirk Nields
115 E. Slokom Ave.
Moores Memorial Library
Patricia Vandenbosch
Executive Director
Public library
Book clubs
Bus Trips
Head Start program
Book sales
Summer programs
9 W. Slokom Avenue
610-593-6683
www.christianalibrary.org
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Recreation Facilities
Name
Lions’ Community Park
Lions’ Community
Building
Christiana Community
Building
South Community Park
Freight Station
NRHS Chapter
Head Quarters
Facilities Available
Playground equipment
Baseball fields
Basketball courts
Park rental
Full kitchen
Meeting room
Picnic pavilion
Location
N. Bridge St.
N. Bridge St.
10 W. Slokom Ave.
Large field
Playground equipment
4,000 sq. ft. facility, rental of
building, kitchen facility, 2
floors
Between S. Bridge & Water
Sts.
10 Railroad Ave.
Contact
Jewell Shivery
610-593-6945
Shawna Johnson
484-356-5709
Jewell Shivery
610-593-6945
Shawna Johnson
484-356-5709
Borough Office
610-593-5199
Cindy Kendig
610-593-6313
Voting Information
Area of Residence
Christiana Borough
Sadsbury Township
Polling Location
Christiana Community Building
10 W. Slokom Ave.
Sadsbury Township Office
1077 White Oak Rd.
Christiana Borough Web Site
www.christianaboro.com
There you can find Borough Ordinances Information, Christiana Borough Calendar of Events, quarterly newsletters
as well as find out who is currently serving your hometown.
If you have an organization or activity you would like listed in this Welcome Booklet contact:
Carol Pringle
Borough Manager
610-593-5199
www.christianaborough.com
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