In the first two decades of the twentieth century, Lebanon took part in a vehicular fad that influenced leisure, work, and war.
Joshua Groh
Josh Groh is a Cornwall native and writer who began reporting for LebTown in 2019. He continued to regularly contribute to LebTown while earning a degree in environmental science at Lebanon Valley College, graduating in 2021. Since then, he has lead conservation crews in Colorado and taken on additional freelance writing opportunities. His focuses at LebTown include local history topics, outdoor recreation, and aspects of the membership program. You can find him biking out on the Rail Trail in his free time.
100 years ago, Lebanon grappled with a very different pandemic—the Spanish flu
When the Spanish flu swept into Lebanon in October of 1918, businesses, schools, and more shut down. Here’s how we got through it then.
Lebanon YMCA places first in mileage for international bicycling fundraiser
Out of 385 YMCAs across three countries, the Lebanon YMCA placed first for mileage, raising $7,738 in the process.
Still time to catch the tens of thousands of snow geese flocking at Middle Creek
If you haven’t headed out to Middle Creek to see the tens of thousands of geese stopping in the area, there’s still some time to catch them before they head up north.
What are your memories of the Gingrich Memorial Pool?
LebTown is asking you, dear reader, for your favorite memories of the Coleman Park pool in preparation for a retrospective article.
Local entrepreneur uncovering history of home to some of Lebanon’s finest
Cumberland Street is known for its historic business district properties. But somewhat less recognizable (though no less interesting) are its distinct residential structures.
The Mann Building has stayed true to its historic purpose as a business hub
For nearly 12 decades, the Mann Building has served as a business hotspot for Lebanon entrepreneurs. Here’s the history behind this historic downtown landmark.
At the Bologna Drop: How Lebanon spent the last hour of the decade
Tuesday’s New Year’s Eve celebration marked not only the end of 2019, but also the end of a decade.
Who was Henry Houck, the beloved ‘Apostle of Sunshine’?
The Palmyra native whose name adorns a Lebanon elementary school was a beloved statesman and educator who began teaching at the age of 16–walking to school both ways.
What are the best Christmas light displays around Lebanon County?
Elaborate Christmas light displays are out again for Lebanon’s holiday season.
Christkindl Markets open up soon at Coleman Memorial Park, Schaefferstown
Coleman Memorial Park market will run Dec. 7, with Shaefferstown opening the following weekend, Dec. 13-14.
“Pennsylvania Alcatraz”: The maximum security prison planned for Mt. Gretna
In the 1930s, Mt. Gretna was nearly home to a maximum security prison. Here’s how the $3 million Depression-era project fell apart.
Iron Furnace’s “Christmas at Cornwall” to include tours, family activities
Visitors have reportedly spotted Kris Kringle and the curmudgeonly Belsnickel on-site.
A long-lost Colebrook church and the American saint who founded it
A solitary monument along Route 117 is all that’s left to remind us of the Colebrook church founded by the first male American to be canonized, St. John Neumann.
Matchbook mix-up: a Lebanon genius is finally getting credit for his invention
Joshua Pusey is typically credited as the inventor the matchbook back in 1892, but Lebanon businessman and inventor Charles Bowman also holds a claim to the title.