In the heart of central Pennsylvania, two former PA Capitol columns stand as silent witnesses to both the state’s architectural heritage and its citizens’ valor.
These particular pillars are two of the original six columns from the first PA Capitol building in Harrisburg, completed in 1822.
Known as the Hills Capitol, after its designer Stephen Hills, this building was a beacon of governance until fire struck in February 1897, reducing it to ashes.
Among the luminaries who once passed between these columns prior to the fire were President-elect Abraham Lincoln, the Marquis de Lafayette, and the future King Edward VII, making them silent participants in pivotal moments of American history.
Miraculously, after the fire, the six columns at the entrance stood tall amidst the ruins.
Over time, some of the columns fell into private hands, others went missing, but two of these six columns found their final resting places in Lycoming and Clinton counties, repurposed as war memorials.
Today, these two war memorials in central Pennsylvania are open for visitation, both located merely 8 miles apart.
The Jersey Shore Capitol Column
In the serene setting of Jersey Shore Cemetery, one such column stands as a testament to the resilience of both the structure and the community it commemorates.
Erected in December 1907 through the efforts of Captain P.D. Bricker, a state government employee and local son, the column lay dormant for a decade before reaching its noble purpose.
It now bears a plaque and is crowned with a soldier statue, paying homage to the local soldiers who fought in America’s wars from the Revolutionary War up to the Spanish-American War.
This column not only marks a place of remembrance but also serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom.
The McElhattan Capitol Column
A short journey away in McElhattan’s Linnwood Cemetery, another column stands amidst the quiet of a residential area, echoing a similar story of homage and history.
Erected in 1900, this monument carries the legacy of local soldiers, with names and conflicts etched into its stone, connecting past battles with the community’s present.
The largest number of soldiers listed fought in the “1861 War of the Great Rebellion”, better known today as the American Civil War.
Final Thoughts
These PA Capitol columns, transcending their original architectural intent, now stand as guardians of memory in their respective cemeteries.
They remind us of the enduring spirit of those who served and the transformative power of remembrance.
In visiting these Capitol columns, one not only steps into a piece of Pennsylvania’s architectural past but also into the storied tapestry of its people’s courage and sacrifice.
Nearby Attractions
10 Must-See Attractions in Lycoming County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near Jersey Shore.
13 Must-See Attractions in Clinton County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near McElhattan.
Be sure to check out my PA Historic Places map below, with directions to even more fascinating historical spots all across PA!
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