The "Exploring A Town Known As Manheim, Pennsylvania - Part I" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Beautiful fall day and I'm making my way home through the small town of Manheim, Pennsylvania after taking a few photos of the Mount Hope Winery which is located a few miles north of Manheim.  After returning home I find my way to my office and begin a search of the winery as well as the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire which is directly next to the winery.  While searching, up pops a page of old photographs that were taken in the early 1900s in Manheim.  Some very interesting places that no longer exist, but at one time were perhaps some of the favorite spots to visit while in Manheim.  Follow along with me as I tell, as well as show, about the places I have found, but don't remember them from being in the town of Manheim in my lifetime.  

#1 - The "Moving Picture Show" was opened in the Manheim Market House at what today is 21-23 West Ferdinand Street.  The building is now an apartment house.  When the theatre was first opened in the 1920s, it was for showing "nothing but clean and respectable pictures with illustrated songs and other music, with frequent changes in the program.  Special features were introduced from time to time, and the public could always rely on a good show.  Father, mother, young men, young ladies and children were all invited to come on the opening night and every evening thereafter."  Admission was only $.05.

#2. - Anyone remember the silent movie that featured Rosalind Russell and Brian Aherne?  It was released early 1944 and played at the "Auditorium" which was on the east side of S. Charlotte Street in one of the finest and most up-to-date opera/movie houses in the county.  It actually had air conditioning and all the other conveniences for a place of this nature to make it comfortable for its patrons.  Before being an opera/movie house, it was the Grace Lutheran Church.  Now it is owned by A. K. Kauffman who features  movies on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.  Then in 1926 the building was sold to James Theros of Lancaster who updated the inside so it could seat 650 patrons.  In 1930 talking pictures replaced the silent screen and were shown every night but Sunday. 

    

This black and white photograph was taken in 1930.  It is a photo of the Manheim Meat market located in the Summy Building which was located at 27 South Main Street.  This place was very progressive since they had a delivery service available.  Check out the prices on the advertisement that follows.

This sepia photograph shows the center of town in Manheim.  Known as Market Square, this photo shows what the square looked like if you were looking  West from what at the time was called Prussian Street.  Today it is known as Main Street or PA Rt. 72.  The final photograph shows what it looks like today. 

The town of Manheim is much like the town of nearby Lititz, Pennsylvania.  The one major difference is that Lititz has a very wide Main Street with many single homes along it while Manheim has a very narrow Main Street with mostly row homes.  Both towns have some very interesting features and historical stories to share about them. lt was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.