HISTORY  MATTERS – June 2010

An update on the Story of the State Capitol gates at the Cameron Estate Inn

Finding a birds-eye view picture recently of the first Harrisburg capitol building that burned in 1897, it clearly shows that there were several entrances from the street, all with concrete pillars and iron gates. We had earlier written that one set of entrance gates was installed at the Cameron estate when the building had been enlarged to its present 22-room size around the turn of the century. But now we are more certain that the entrance gates that, up until the 1980’s, were located at the farm on Colebrook Road, were also a set from the Capitol. They once were the entrance to the back road in to the mansion, to be used for utility purposes, and as a direct road from that farm that at one time was the stock farm for horses for the Camerons. We doubt whether the Hursts realized what historic pillars and ironware they disposed of.

It also is possible that the” back road” was once the only road in to the spring, until whatever time the bridge was built over the Donegal Creek. In my growing up years it was said that originally the road, known as Old Peter’s road, once an Indian trail, in the early years, was on the opposite (lower) side of the church. That would have given access to the spring water, a very essential need for man and beast. It would be interesting to find the road records as to when that first bridge was constructed.

We also wonder about the log house just down the road – when it was built and by whom. We have been told that the barn or shed behind the house once was the ice house for the Camerons, and the walls were, and may still be, insulated with sawdust.

Our histories do tell about persons who had homes on what was then church property. Usually they were persons who had some responsibility for the meeting-house, such as making fire in the woodstoves in winter to warm the building. Our study house also shows evidence of earlier use before 1811, when it was enlarged and brick-faced for the pastor’s use. Then in 1845 it was again enlarged to become the caretaker’s residence for the next 130 years.

Another bit of history that is not generally known is that there was always to be access to the spring by a narrow lane that was once between the fences of the church ground and the adjoining tract. This was specified in a document in our possession and was known as a “no man’s land” so that the water would always be available. In some years of severe drought, herds of cattle were sometimes driven in that lane to be watered. That area is also the channel for a very small stream from the adjoining farm. – Mary Karnes

Last Edited on 06/05/10