The "Adventures on the Lincoln Highway: Part IV" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Heading east on the Lincoln Highway to visit Saturday Farmer's Market in Paradise, PA. to purchase vegetables and fruit as well as Amish baked goods.  The farmer's market has stands with flowers, crafts and artwork, but mostly perishables which are brought to market by Amish farmers from around the area.  The Lincoln Highway is celebrating it's 100 Anniversary this year and I have posted a few stories about my adventures on this historic strip of macadam that was started in 1913 to create a route for travel from New York City to San Francisco, California.  Today's post starts on the east side of Lancaster and will take me to the market which is near Gap, PA.  Town originally was called "Gap In The Hills" in the 1700s when settlers moved into the valley known by that name and, living out the first treaty began by William Penn.  Log cabins and stone cottages cropped up in the valley and along the road that went from Philadelphia to Lancaster.  One of those first stone homes was occupied by Samuel Jones.  In 1759 Samuel's granddaughter had married a judge from Lancaster, Henry Slaymaker, and moved into the small cottage. The home changed hands several times until June 2, 1779 when Henry and his wife purchased it one more time and started to make additions to the home as well as naming it "White Chimneys."  For years White Chimneys was a stopping point for many famous visitors along the heavily traveled road.

It was in 1825 that General Marquis De Lafayette spent a night at White Chimneys visiting with old companions.  Henry Slaymaker made an addition to the original cottage and then his son Amos made more additions.  The final addition was made in 1923 with the addition of the western wing. Generations have passed at the Slaymaker's White Chimneys and the once  small cottage took on different ventures along the way from toll house stop to stage line stop to tobacco farming and eventually the family mansion.  My father-in-law Charles was the personnel manager at Slaymaker Lock Company in Lancaster City in the 1950s and often would tell stories of the great White Chimneys.  

White Chimneys

 It is also where he met his wife and my mother-in-law.  Today as Carol and I pulled into the driveway of the mansion along the Lincoln Highway for a few photos, she said, "Is this private property?"  Wasn't sure since we saw no signs of life and the name on the front mailbox no longer read Slaymaker.  I still pulled over on the side of the drive to take a few photos to show you what the place looks like today.  

Paradise HIgh School

We were back on the road lickety-split and in a few minutes found our intended destination of Saturday Farmer's Market.  Parked along the drive and headed to the semi-circle of buggies in front of the original Paradise High School.  The high school is a towering

 building that was built in 1927.  My guess is that the Lincoln Highway brought additional housing to the "Gap in The Hills" and the need for a high school was soon felt.  Carol and I talked with the vendors, made our purchases including a baker's dozen ears of corn and headed back to the car.  Time to head west towards 

Lancaster.  Traffic was moving slowly on the three-lane macadam so when I saw a pillar with a stone plaque declaring N. Milton Woods Home I couldn't resist the chance to pull into the winding drive and head towards the 19th century home on the hill in front of us.  Stopped to look for signs of life before getting out of the car, camera in hand, and heading up the hill for a photograph.  Wished I could have met the owner to share family stories, but with no movement on the property, I turned around and departed onto the highway.  

Woods Residence

Did make one final stop when I pulled into the parking lot of the 1740 stone building once called the "Sign of the Spread Eagle."  At one time it was one of the better inns along the 62 miles of stone and macadam turnpike from Philadelphia to Lancaster.  It catered to many classes of travelers for meal, drinks and board.  

Original Revere House

A hundred year later the building which was the tavern was the home to the minister of the local Episcopal Church, Rev. Edward Buchanan and his wife, Eliza.  His wife just happened to be the sister of Stephen Foster who penned some of his music along the Pequea Creek and the two played and sang many of the songs together along the creek.  

The Revere House as it appears today from the side.

Songs such as "My Olde Kentucky Home", "Way Down upon The Swanee River" and "Oh, Susanna".    In 1854 the Rev. and his wife moved to a different parish and they sold the building to Edward's brother, James, who just happened to be the Fifteenth President of the United States.  The historic tavern, now know as "The Revere House", still houses four dining rooms with 7 working fireplaces throughout the building.  The King George Room still has the 6 original shutters and pine door and the Stephen Foster Room features two original stone fireplaces, chair rail, 18-inch deep window sills and exposed beams.  Pretty neat history!  The tales that can be told about the 100 year old Lincoln Highway abound.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - I will post one more story dealing with the Lincoln Highway from the York County line to Rt. 15 near Gettysburg. 

Amish buggy loaded with goods for market.

Baked good for sale.  The center package of sticky buns was no longer there after we made our purchases.

Young Amish family.