The ghost signs of Lebanon city

What we now know as the City of Lebanon began as Steitztown in 1740. Over the years, many businesses have passed through.

Ghost signs, advertising businesses that no longer exist, serve as echoes of the past, whether recent or distant. Here are just a few of the ghost signs in the City of Lebanon.

The Bell Telephone Co.

This building, located at 46 S. 8th St., once belonged to Bell Telephone Co., the corporate entity that proliferated the telephone after its invention by Alexander Graham Bell in 1877.

While phones have become ubiquitous in the modern day, it took a few years for the invention to reach Lebanon County. According to Lebanon Daily News archives, the first local Bell Telephone was installed between the office and home of P.L. Weimer in 1879.

A year later, LDN reported that a representative of the Bell Co. was looking into establishing a local telephone exchange, something the paper described as in-demand by residents.

Telephone poles were soon erected in the city, with LDN editorializing: “Let our people show that they belong to the progressive class and endorse this great project.”

The Bell Telephone Co. continued to operate well into the 20th century, with one article referencing a burglary and potential arson at the business in 1971. However, by 1990 the building no longer housed the telephone company, with a news article reporting that its upper floors were being used for around 20 apartments.

This usage continues to this day, though the building’s exterior still advertises its former use.

Washington House

Local legend has it that this two-story building and former tavern at 1000 Cumberland St. once served President George Washington.

While this event may be apocryphal, the historic restaurant marketed around the connection, ultimately changing its name to the George Washington Tavern.

Read More: Lebanon’s historic family restaurants and diners: Then and now

The former name of the establishment may have been the Centennial Restaurant, which in the 1870s advertised itself as the “late Washington House.” However, the address of this restaurant was not advertised, so it may have been a different establishment.

The restaurant ultimately went out of business, with the building first put up for sale in 2013. With a “For Sale” sign in the establishment’s window, it appears the building is still seeking buyers, for a listed price of $899,000.

Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)

While the YMCA still has a location in Lebanon — the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA at 201 N. 7th St. — it was once housed at the intersection of 9th and Willow, an extravagant building dedicated in June 1907.

When the Lebanon branch of the YMCA began, according to a 1951 LDN historical piece, it operated out of classrooms in the Shenk Building. In 1905, its board bought the land that would become this building.

Read More: Lebanon YMCA releases a book on its history

A Daily News article from 1906 describes a push from the Lebanon YMCA to speed up construction, though it also describes issues fundraising and fostering membership. By September of the following year, the building was completed, offering a variety of classes for men and boys in the community.

According to a 1995 historical piece, the YMCA built an addition to the building in 1945, constructing a swimming pool, gymnasium and locker rooms. It purchased an adjacent home in 1955.

By the 1980s, the building was no longer in use by the organization, though it was still colloquially referred to as “the old YMCA building.” Given the titling still on the building, that will likely be true for a long time.

Lebanon National Bank

Though the building at 851 Cumberland St. currently houses a Rent-A-Center, its previous use is immediately evident. A plaque on the building’s exterior marks it as Lebanon National Bank, founded in 1831.

Newspaper archives show, however, that the building was not original to the site. In fact, the original bank building was torn down in the 1920s to construct a new one, which remains to this day.

A 1924 article describes the planned building as being “one of the most modern and complete banking houses in Pennsylvania.”

The bank merged with the Farmers Trust Bank in 1984 to create the Lebanon Valley Farmers Bank, which was later bought by Fulton. The building has changed hands several times since then.

No matter what the building is used for in the future, its elaborate facade will continue to reflect its previous use.

Evening Report Publishing Company

Featuring prominently an advertisement for the Evening Report Publishing Company, this building (located at 41 N. 9th Street) was once a printing press for multiple local news outlets.

The Lebanon Courier, the Evening Report, the Annville Journal, and the Palmyra Citizen were once printed by this press.

Dec. 30, 1937, the building caught fire, permanently shutting down the presses.

However, the painted title of the paper still remains on the side of the building, to those who squint.

Samler Building

The distinct building at 756 Cumberland St. once housed the Samler Building, constructed in 1890.

The building was named for Louis Samler, who owned a Bon Ton department store.

Over the years, the building has rented offices to various local businesses. It is now home to a T-mobile store and apartments, though the Samler name is still visible on its exterior.

---

Though this list is far from exhaustive, it reflects the rich history of the City of Lebanon. Did we miss your favorite ghost signs in Lebanon? Let us know about it in the comments.

This article has been corrected to reflect details of the 1937 Evening Report Publishing Company fire. We sincerely apologize for the error.