Landmarks of Middletown: A Journey Through History

  B’nai Jacob Synagogue, constructed in 1906 by Middletown’s Jewish community, holds the distinction of being the town’s first and only synagogue. Lithuania settlers chose this quaint town for its resemblance to their homeland and its accessibility via the Pennsylvania Railroad. The synagogue, a modest one-story structure with stained glass windows and original fixtures, is the oldest continuously used synagogue in Dauphin County and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Alfred's Victorian Restaurant is an 1888 Victorian Brownstone Mansion.  Offering intimate dining rooms, decorated with antiques, carved wood and gingerbread accents.  Located at 38 N Union St in downtown Middletown this beautiful home (now a restaurant) was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places August 1, 1979.  This is one of two Raymond Charles and Joseph Houses, its twin sits just across the street at 37 N Union St. 

  The land on which Sant Peter’s Kirch stands, northwest corner of North Union and West High streets—Lots No. 135, was presented by George and Hannah Fisher on September 18, 1764 to Peter Woltz, George Frey and Deterick Schob, in trust for the Lutheran Congregation. The consideration of the transfer was seven shillings and six pence, with the additional rental of one grain of wheat per annum, payable each May 1st. 

Construction of the new church was begun in 1767 and the corner stone was laid on July 13th of the same year. Colonel James Burd and the Reverand John T. Engeland officiated at the ceremony in the presence of the Church Wardens and Elders; John C Roth, Gottlieb D. Ettele, John Metzger, George P. Shagge and Jacob King; along with the building committee: George Frey, Frederick Zebbernich, and Conrad Wofley. The first service in the partially completed building was on September 12, 1769. The pastor was the Reverend Henry Melchoir Mulhenberg.

The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

  FIRST BELL TOWER 1902

Liberty Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1’sbrick building on Catherine Street was erected in 1891, and a bell tower was added in 1911. The company was organized on November 7, 1874, with 35 life members at the time. The fire company used the building until 1974. On January 8, 1978, after renovations, it was dedicated as Liberty House, home of the Middletown Public Library and was once home to the Middletown Area Historical Society. 

  Kuppy’s Diner is located at the corner of Brown and Poplar Streets in Middletown. The extraordinary place is home away from home for many Middletown resident. 

In 1933 Percy Kupp and his son Karl Kupp, Sr. started what is now Middletown’s only fourth generation diner. 

Kuppy’s Diner did not get its excellent reputation overnight, but because the diner has been there throughout the year when the people of Middletown were in their worst of times. Kuppy’s was always open and continued to operate successfully. 

The diner thrived during WWII with the construction of the Olmsted Air Force Base and the trucking traffic; people from all over the country came to Kuppy’s.Say something interesting about your business here.   

This diner has become synonymous with Middletown’s hospitality and small town warmth. The importance of this diner, cannot be underestimated. It is a forum for ideas– both political and social. Each morning people gather to drink coffee, eat and discuss national and local news. 

The Diner is currently being operated by fourth generation Greg Kupp who began as a short order cook in 1975. Greg runs the business with his wife Carol and now the fifth generation is working at the diner as well. 

  The Milk & Honey Railroad (M&H) was organized in July, 1888, with actual construction beginning March 14, 1889. The firm’s first president was Mr. John Rife, owner of Middletown’s tannery. Also on that first board were H.B. Strickler, Edward Hoffer, George Grove who was involved with the Hummelstown brownstone quarry, and several others. 

The first section of the railroad was built from Middletown to the Stoverdale Campmeeting. Sunday August 12, 1889 passenger service was begun with seven cars rented from the Pennsylvania Railroad. It was reported that 5,000 people road the M&H that day. 

Located at the corner of N Pine St & High Streets. 

 In 1760, George Fisher dedicated a plot of land at the corner of High and Pine Streets as the German Burial Ground. However, he did not formally grant ownership of the land to anyone. A German Lutheran congregation eventually took responsibility for the cemetery, maintaining it for approximately seventy-five years. By 1800, it is estimated that around two hundred individuals had been interred there.

Over time, the burial ground fell into neglect, becoming overgrown and dilapidated. In 1901, a Middletown businessman named Mr. Snyder removed sections of the fence surrounding the lot, as well as some of the tombstones. He constructed a blacksmith and wagon shop over some of the graves, incorporating certain tombstones into the shop’s walls. The remaining land was enclosed with a fence, and he rented out the shop while allowing the enclosed area to be used for impounding cattle and horses.

Despite these actions, only one person—Mr. Parthemore, a descendant of some individuals buried there—protested. Eventually, Snyder permitted Parthemore to erect a fence around his ancestors' graves. In 1923, Clinton Kleinfelter acquired the lot, fully aware of its history as a burial ground. At that time, the grave of Revolutionary War soldier Peter Shuter remained visible, and his tombstone was still standing.

In 1921, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) located and decorated five graves of Revolutionary War soldiers on the northern part of the lot. This tradition continued until 1925. In 1929, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania upheld a Dauphin County Court ruling that prohibited Kleinfelter from using the land for anything other than a burial ground. He was ordered to restore the site and replace any tombstones he had wrongfully removed.

In April 1940, an agreement was approved allowing the DAR to erect a fence around the cemetery. Although they initially committed to maintaining the site, they were unable to do so, and in March 1966, the Borough of Middletown assumed responsibility for the upkeep and preservation of the historic burial ground.