Lewis Smalley Homestead

History and architectural features

A -story, stone building, this historic structure measures three-bays wide and thirty feet by twenty-five feet. It has a tin-covered gable roof and was made of sandstone that was obtained from the river. The house retains the original woodwork, doors, hardware and unfinished chestnut flooring, as well as three original stone fireplaces.

Also located on the property is a stone bank barn, measuring forty-five feet by ninety feet. Original hardware from the local blacksmith survives in the barn. One hinge still bears the blacksmith's mark.

In late June 1863, during the American Civil War and just prior to the Battle of Gettysburg, the property was used as part of a Union garrison, which was staffed by a contingent of more than 1,500 troops that were stationed at various locations around Mount Union. Its purpose was to guard the road, valley, and bridge to prevent the possible capture and destruction of the Pennsylvania railroad by Confederate troops. In the barn, where the garrison's horses were stabled, soldiers carved their names, initials, and dates in door jambs and barn beams. Those carvings are still visible. The farm was occupied by the William Hainey Briggs family during the time of the Union encampment.

The original 540-acre property passed intact within the Smalley family until roughly 1957 when the last descendant sold it. An interim owner, Tuscarora Land Company, subdivided the original acreage in 1975. The Smalley residence now occupies twenty-eight acres.

References

References

1. {{NRISref
2. "Picturesque and Packed with History," Common Ground, Volume 13, Number 1, Fall 2001, pages 38-39.
3. Julius Hoffman and Susan Zacher. (n.d.). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Pennsylvania SP Smalley, Lewis, Homestead". National Archives and Records Administration.
4. Robert H. Cree, "Smalley Property History" Letter, Common Ground, Volume 13, Number 2, Winter 2001-2002, page 7.