The "Could This Really Be The 'City Of Lights'?" Story

Logo of the Susquehanna Heritage in Columbia, Pennsylvania

It was an ordinary day.  Driving around the small town of Columbia, Pennsyl- vania with my wife, trying to see how it might compare at all to Paris, France.  Recently there was a half-page story in the local newspaper in "The Scribbler" column that had the headline of "Presenting 'the Paris of Pennsylvania' - on the Susquehanna."  

The bridge over the Seine River near Paris, France.

Could Columbia, the little town on the east bank of the Susque- hanna that burnt the bridge over the river during the Gettysburg campaign to stop the South from crossing into Lancaster County and thus altered the Civil War, really be compared to Paris France?  I have made many visits to this small town of about 10,000 residents and have discovered some remarkable architecture as well as quite a few interesting museums while driving around the 2.42 square mile town, but I had to take one more trip after reading the story in the newspaper.  

My visit today allowed for this photo of the Columbia bridge.

Columbia is referred to "the jewel of the Susque- hanna", but to compare it to Paris is...well, crazy.  Seems that Matt Barley, a board member of the Historic Preserva- tion Trust and an architect is the person who first started comparing it to Paris.  He does admit that it was a joke, but he still thinks that, on a small scale, a really small scale I might add, it has some of the same features as Paris, France.  

The National Clock and Watch Museum in Columbia, PA.

Yes, it does have a beautiful arched bridge that connects Columbia to Wrightsville and yes, it does have antique lighting on it as the Paris bridge over the Seine River does.  

Columbia's beautiful Market House in downtown Columbia.

And yes, Columbia does have some of the most impressive architec- ture in Lancaster County as does Paris have in France.  And yes, Columbia does have a few neat museums and antique shops as does Paris.  

Artist Thomas Hermansader's home in Columbia, PA

OK...I can see how he could have stretched it a bit and compared Columbia to Paris.  I guess if I lived in Columbia I would want to push the image of my town as Matt has done.  It really has drawn attention to his town which is perhaps why he did it.  Well, Carol and I drove around quite a few of the streets this morning and passed through the beautiful Historic District that has nearly a thousand structures that incorporate a mix of 18th through 20th century styles.  

Rivertowne Antique Center located in Columbia, PA

Columbia's long-time Mayor, Leo Lutz seems to see it the same way that Matt does and that can only be for the better of the town.  When I initially Googled Paris, Pennsyl- vania, I came up with a small town of 732 residents that is located just north of U.S. Route 22 near the Pennsylvania/West Virginia border.  

Historic John Wright home in downtown Columbia, PA

Wonder how they feel about having another town in Pennsyl- vania called Paris?  Oh, so what!  Can't do any harm comparing Columbia, PA to Paris, France.  The neat bridge should be enough to make the comparison. Now I don't feel a need to travel to Paris, France.  I have it right here in my backyard.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Ashley and Bailey Silk Mill, now Turkey Hill Experience.

This image was found in a public art station on the streets of Columbia, PA.