Warwick Township, Lancaster County

By Cory Van Brookhoven

Warwick Township was one of the original townships of Lancaster County. The area was first settled by Richard Carter from Warwickshire, England, and as families grew within its borders, several villages started to come to life. Industries such as blacksmithing, an iron foundry and wagon factory, numerous cigar manufacturers, farms and dairies, mills, and other early businesses helped to shape the township's economic growth. As time passed, transportation evolved from horse-drawn carriages to the automobile. The Reading and Columbia Rail Road, along with Conestoga Traction Company's trolley service, also played a vital part in mass transportation. Today Warwick Township is known for its scenic beauty, rich history, and hardworking residents.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Sep 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781439639184

Cory Van Brookhoven

Cory Van Brookhoven was born and raised in Warwick Township and still lives within a few miles of its boundaries. He is the author of several books and articles involving Lancaster County�s vast history. He serves on the board of directors for the Lititz Historical Foundation and is the foundation�s quarterly newsletter editor, programs and publicity coordinator, and archivist.

Book preview

her.

INTRODUCTION

Located within Pennsylvania’s gorgeous farmland is Warwick Township, one of the first townships laid out during the formation of Lancaster County. The original boundaries included the modern townships of Warwick, Elizabeth, Clay, Penn, and the borough of Lititz. Richard Carter, who arrived from Warwickshire, England, was the area’s first inhabitant. He settled close to the mouth of the Conestoga River in 1716 and renamed the place in honor of his homeland. Christian Bomberger was another early settler, arriving in 1722. By 1734, Bomberger was granted a patent of about 548 acres of land. As time passed, small villages formed, each one having their own unique characteristics and charm.

An area of the township was originally settled in the early 1820s and eventually called White Hall. However, when a post office was created in that town in 1861, the name of Brunnerville was adopted to honor the Brunner family of that hamlet. The town had various businesses throughout the years, including a wagon and iron foundry, blacksmith shops, furniture manufacturers, dairies, and several general stores. Other businesses and schools grew within Brunnerville, and the township certainly benefitted from its hardworking residents, many of whom were granted copyright patents for their various inventions.

In 1733, George Eby took up land in what is now Millway, where he constructed a gristmill. Soon this area grew and years later served as an important oil distribution center and railroad town. It had many thriving farms and general businesses, and the Cocalico Creek flowed through part of the town. The creek served as a beautiful setting where religious camp meetings were held. Many Christians arrived to Millway every year from both near and far to listen to the preaching.

Rothsville, originally known as Rabbit Hill, got its start in 1790, when Phillip Roth decided to establish a hotel at the busy intersection of two roads where many teamsters passed. Although this particular crossroads was known early on for often being muddy, the tavern proved to be a very successful venture. Originally known as Roth’s Tavern, the name has changed over the years, but the White Swan Hotel still stands today at the same location. It is the oldest still-functioning tavern in the township. Another popular meetinghouse, the Keystone Hotel, was also a place for local residents to get a room for the night, join in on a celebration, or catch up on local gossip. Rothsville also flourished as a cigar-manufacturing town, with many residents (including women and children) working in the industry. The Reading and Columbia Rail Road system passed through, picking up and delivering goods for transport throughout all of Lancaster County.

Lexington was first known as Dundee as early as 1805. It is a quaint area within the township. Over the years, it housed many cigar factories, stores, a hotel, a blacksmith shop, an undertaker, various carpenters, an undergarment factory, a candy-making operation, three generations of butchers, two schools, and many other businesses and places of worship. Lexington is also known as one of the highest points of altitude in the county. The Lexington Rod and Gun Club also holds meetings here and serves as an organization that promotes safe hunting and conservation within the neighborhood.

Millport was laid out into lots in 1813 by Christian Kauffman. In the beginning, there was a milling operation, which for several years provided products to the residents of the township. Today the area is a very peaceful and picturesque village, containing more than a few homes. The Lititz Run passes through this area, with wildlife often spotted along the stream.

In a deed dated October 5, 1734, Thomas and Richard Penn transferred 165 acres of land to Hans George Kiesel for the sum of 25 pounds, 11 shillings, and 5 pence. Early on, this area was known as Kissel-berg (the hill belonging to Kissel), eventually changing its name to New Haven. When a post office was established, the name was permanently changed to what it is known as today—Kissel Hill. It was here in 1823 that a cornerstone for a church was laid, and the area served as a needed place of worship. Additionally, Kissel Hill was a convenient trolley stop for passengers traveling between Lancaster and Lititz. The area also boasted a hotel, blacksmith shop, numerous early schools, and a family roadside produce stand that grew into a multimillion-dollar supermarket entity. Other thriving businesses throughout the years helped Kissel Hill fast become a popular place to live and to do business in.

Pine Hill is a small hamlet located east of Brunnerville. At one time it had a hotel, a one-room schoolhouse called the Lookout School, and a distillery. Although containing only a small number of houses, this unique and beautiful area is a perfect setting and safe place to raise a family or enjoy the countryside.

Rome is situated just east of Lititz in the township and had its humble beginnings in the 1730s, when a hotel was established there. For numerous years it operated as a stopping place for travelers who were passing through the area. Rome also contained the earliest school in the area, which was erected in 1746 and was known as the Warwick Gemeinhaus and School, also part of the Moravian settlement in Lititz. This town also contained a distillery, which was founded in 1815 by Peter Fielis. The distillery proved to be very successful and continued through the years having many different owners and operators until Prohibition ended its whiskey production. An early compass mill was also situated in Rome. It still stands to this day.

Thumbtown is a very small grouping of houses located between Brunnerville and Pine Hill, and Seminole is a quaint area just past Rothsville. Although both are part of Warwick Township, they will not be covered in this publication.

Throughout its long existence, the rich heritage of Warwick Township has certainly proven to be so unique that it holds an important place in the history of Lancaster County. From its beautiful countryside settings to its modern-day growth, the township is a very special place not only to longtime residents and newcomers, but also to out-of-town visitors.

One

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Well-maintained and prosperous farms with crops of grain, hay, and tobacco are located