I stumbled upon learning of this property from the National Register of Historic Places (where I look for older bridges). Since this building is near my neighborhood of New Cumberland, I decided to seek it out.
Little is known of William Black except he was a Scottish immigrant and acquired the 267 tract of Lowther Manor in 1774 and a house was built on the property in 1776. Nor is much known about the four generations of his descendants who lived on the property located on Drexel Hill Park Road.
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| View from the Drexel Hill Park Road |
FACTS:
- Exact Date of Construction: 1776
- Added to NRHP: July 20, 1977
- NRHP Reference Number: 77001159
- House:
- 2.5 story, 3 bay, fieldstone
- 1 story kitchen added to east gable end
- uncoursed fieldstone walls that are 18" thick
- Slate roof
- Windows are 6 over 9 light sash o first floor; 6 over 6 on second floor
- Restored in 1960 by Leon Neefe
- In 1975 a large 1-story, frame wing was added to the west gable wall which houses a modern kitchen, dining room, etc.
- William Black constructed a schoolhouse near the house which was in use until 1850
- This home was the northern most point reached by any major Confederate force during the Civil War. Interesting tidbit: Confederate cavalry under Lt. General R.S. Ewell captured a Union courier on the property while reconnoitering the defenses of Harrisburg. The courier posed as a "local yokel" and was released the following day.
SOURCE:https://www.dot7.state.pa.us/ce_imagery/phmc_scans/H001155_01H.pdf
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