Walking Tour of Carlisle's Wayside Markers

The Historic Carlisle, Inc. Wayside Marker Project

The Borough of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania was founded in 1751. Throughout the colonial period, Carlisle was the major jumping-off point for travel west to the Ohio Valley. It was George Washington's choice for his army's first arsenal and school. Carlisle was also home to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, a school for American Indians, of which Olympic champion Jim Thorpe is an alumnus. The location of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School now houses the U. S. Army War College. Carlisle is also home to Dickinson College which was chartered at the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783 - the first college to be chartered after the Treaty of Paris.

In 1994, Historic Carlisle Celebration, Inc. (now called Historic Carlisle, Inc.) was formed to promote Carlisle's history through education and awareness. In 2002, Historic Carlisle, Inc. and the Borough of Carlisle partnered to initiate the Carlisle Wayside Marker Project using interpretive signage to honor and preserve Carlisle's rich historical past for the enjoyment and education of Carlisle's residents and visitors alike. The Wayside Markers tell the story of Carlisle's people, buildings, and historic sites and events.

This brochure will guide you on a walking tour of the Wayside Markers and through the streets and byways of Carlisle's Historic District. Please use crosswalks and watch for traffic as you learn more about the history of Carlisle.

The Historic District is indicated by a Bold Green Line.
The Square is indicated by the green box.
* Planned for 2006

1. Return of the Captives
   Begin our walking tour of the Wayside Markers on the northwest quadrant of the Square at the historic First Presbyterian Church. This first marker commemorates the return to Carlisle in 1764 of the settlers held captive by American Indians during the French and Indian War.


2. Ephraim Blaine House
   Turn right and walk down N. Hanover Street crossing Dickinson Ave. to 4 N. Hanover Street. You are at the late 18th century house built by Colonel Ephraim Blaine. Wander down the sidewalk along the right side of the building to see the limestone rear portion which was once a popular Revolutionary era tavern. Now a law office, the Ephraim Blaine House was restored in 2004 by owners John and Louise Broujos.


3. 1753 Carlisle Indian Conference
   Cross N. Hanover Street to the sidewalk in front of St. John's Episcopal Church. In 1753, on his first diplomatic mission, Benjamin Franklin traveled to Carlisle for a meeting with representatives of several American Indian tribes.


4. The Old Jail*
   Turn the corner and go one block away from the Square to the corner of E. High and N. Bedford streets. The Old Jail was built in 1855 and remained in use as the Cumberland County Prison until the 1980s. Today the building houses county offices.


5. Market House Square
   Cross E. High Street and return to the Square and the Wayside Marker near the front steps of the "New" (circa 1962) Cumberland County Courthouse. The Penn Charter establishing Carlisle designated this corner of the Square as the site for commerce and was the location for decades of the town's farmers' market. The last market house was razed in 1952. Markets today are held year round on Fridays and Saturdays at the Farmers' Market on York Road (Rt. 74) or Saturdays, in season, at the parking garage at the Cumberland County Human Services Building on W. High Street.


6. The McClintock Riot
   Located just beyond the front steps of the New Courthouse is the marker commemorating an 1847 riot which followed the release from jail of three escaped slaves. When the slaves were returned to their former owners, townspeople initiated a melee and helped two of the fugitives to hide and eventually make their way to freedom.


7. Colonel Robert Magaw
   Turn away from the Square and cross Liberty Avenue. At 3 S. Hanover Street is the site of Revolutionary hero Robert Magaw's home.


8. The Old Graveyard
   Continue on S. Hanover Street away from the Square to E. South Street (two blocks). Cross E. South Street and turn left. Just beyond Cemetery Ave. and inside the entry gate is the Wayside Marker for the Old Graveyard. Take time to quietly wander through this historic graveyard. However, please remember that the gravestones in the burial ground are old and extremely fragile. It is important that you do not disturb the stones and monuments by standing, walking, sitting or leaning on them.


9. The Shelling of Carlisle
   Return to the Square and cross S. Hanover Street to the sandstone columned "Old" Cumberland County Courthouse (circa 1846). Several buildings in Carlisle still show the damage done when Confederates shelled the town. Note the damaged pillar and window ledge of the Courthouse both dated July 1, 1863, the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg.


10. The Old Livery Stable
    Proceed down W. Church Ave., along the side of the Old Courthouse, to the Pomfret Street Parking Garage. Near the front entrance to the garage is the Wayside Marker for the Old Livery Stable where for more than 25 years horses and mules were leased and housed and all types of transportation could be arranged for townspeople, farmers and visitors alike.


11. Carlisle's Famous Residents and Visitors*
    Return to W. High Street by crossing W. Church Street (behind the Parking Garage) and using the pedestrian walkway alongside the Cumberland County Human Services building. Turn right on High Street and in front of 10 W. High Street is the Wayside Marker commemorating some of Carlisle's well-known citizens and visitors.


12. Centenary Building
    Continue our tour by going on W. High Street away from the Square to the corner of W. High and S. Pitt streets and the Wayside Marker for the Centenary Building. Today this one-time church contains modern apartments and a busy retail space.


13. The President's House Dickinson College
    Go another block on W. High Street to the edge of the Dickinson College campus. Cross S. West Street. Located in the hedge that surrounds the President's House is the Wayside Marker describing the beginnings of the Dickinson School of Law in the cellar of the house.


14. Old West
    Cross W. High Street, turn left, and proceed to the Dickinson College entrance gate in the center of the block. The College was chartered in 1783 and Old West is the earliest existing campus building. The first floor of Old West is open to visitors when the College is in session.


15. Bellaire House*
    Turn back in the direction of the square, cross N. West Street, and go to 141 W. High Street. The Bellaire House, with its double curving stairway, was built in 1845 as a private residence. Today this gracious former mansion contains offices and a popular Thai restaurant.


16. The Carlisle Train Stations
    Continue down the block to the corner of N. Pitt and W. High streets. The Wayside Marker commemorates the High Street train and its stations. Try to imagine the excitement of huge steam engines regularly traveling up and down High Street bringing goods and passengers to this historic crossroads.
    Turn left at the corner and proceed on N. Pitt Street. The Cumberland County Historical Society is on the right. The Society's holdings of books, documents, and artifacts cover the rich history of Carlisle and Cumberland County. Plan a visit to the second floor state-of-the-art museum.


17. Richardson House*
    At the corner of N. Pitt and W. Louther Street, in front of 101 W. Louther, is the Wayside Marker for the home of Cyrus Richardson and his family. After Mr. Richardson's death his wife and daughters lived on in the house which came to be called the "Misses Richardsons' Cozy Corner". It was later the home of noted artist Ruth A. Anderson.


18. The Lincoln Cemetery
    Turn left on to N. Pitt Street and go two blocks. Cross W. Penn Street to Memorial Park. The pathway will take you to the site of an African-American Cemetery. Additional markers on this site were placed by members of Carlisle's African-American community to commemorate their history.


19. Union Fire Station
    Return to N. Pitt Street and walk back to the corner of W. Louther Street. Turn left on Louther Street and go to 35 W. Louther. Union Fire Station is the home of one of the oldest ? re companies in the nation. Be sure to visit the Fire Museum inside.


Once you have seen the Fire Museum continue on W. Louther Street to N. Hanover Street, turn right and go one block to the Square. You are now back at the starting point of your Wayside Marker tour.


In 2004, the Historic Carlisle, Inc. Wayside Marker Project was honored by the White House when Carlisle was designated a Preserve America Community.

Historic Carlisle, Inc. is a non-profit corporation. Its mission is to recognize and promote the history of Carlisle and Cumberland County. This mission is accomplished through annual presentations and celebrations, educational programs, and the installation of wayside markers. For more information, or to become a member, please write to: Historic Carlisle, Inc., P.O. Box 1211, Carlisle, PA 17013-1211.