Middletown: Local History and a Train Ride

History and River Connections

Middletown was laid out in 1755 and is considered the oldest community in Dauphin County. The town was settled along the banks of the Susquehanna River. The date and the county distinction refer to different historical aspects: 1755 marks the founding of Middletown, while its designation as the oldest community reflects its standing in Dauphin County. The river names also merit a precise distinction: the early settlement is associated with the Susquehanna River, while the Milk & Honey Express ride runs along Swatara Creek. The two rivers therefore represent different connections—settlement and the train excursion.

A Museum Piece with Local Connections

The Middletown Historic Museum is located at 29 E Main St. On display there is a wooden “Micky Mouse” artifact made by the Performo Toy Company. The company was formerly based in Middletown. This exhibit connects a specific object with a former local business. The E Main St. address identifies the museum’s location in Middletown; the exhibit itself offers a distinct perspective on local history through a particular artifact and its maker.

Synagogue and Historical Context

The B’nai Jacob Synagogue was built in 1906 by Middletown’s Jewish community and is the oldest continuously used synagogue in Dauphin County. The construction date and the distinction in terms of use describe different aspects of its history: 1906 dates its construction, while the county-wide distinction refers to its continuous use. Compared with Middletown’s founding in 1755, the synagogue’s construction date marks a later, separate historical point of reference. The designation as the oldest continuously used synagogue applies to this building.

Liberty Band Hall and Swatara Ferry House

On South Union Street in Middletown, Pennsylvania, Liberty Band Hall stands next to the Swatara Ferry House, also called “Old Fort.” “Old Fort” is therefore another name for the Ferry House, not a third building on the street. The Swatara Ferry House is the only known surviving example of its building type in Dauphin County. This distinction applies to the Ferry House and its building type; Liberty Band Hall is mentioned as the neighboring building. This keeps the name, the buildings’ proximity, and the Ferry House’s distinction separate.

These cultural points of reference differ in kind: the museum centers on a specific exhibit with a connection to its maker, the synagogue on its construction date and continuous use, and the Ferry House on its building type. This comparison provides a thematic perspective on local history: objects, use, and architectural form are different historical viewpoints.

Train Ride Along Swatara Creek

The Milk & Honey Express offers an 11-mile round trip along Swatara Creek. The ride starts at the 1891 train station in Middletown; the 11 miles refer to the entire round trip, not a one-way journey. The station has a ticket counter, a gift shop, and modern ADA-compliant restrooms. The ride and the station’s facilities are different practical points of reference: the distance describes the train service, while the facilities describe the departure station. Schedules can change, so check current departure times before your ride.

Discover more destinations: Halifax, Grantville, Hummelstown, Hershey, Dauphin, Oberlin, Harrisburg

Go to the overview for the wider area: Dauphin.