Issac Meier Homestead

"It is well to recall the days of old, to call to mind the history of our people."....William Henry Egle

An Indian trail led from the Susquehanna River to what is now Myerstown and it's surrounding area of Jackson Township. Populated by the Susquehanna Indians, these trails became wide and well beaten and were used by the early settlers as they explored the wilderness. This area was referred to as TURPY HOCHEN, meaning "land of the turtles".

White men, though few in number, began to settle along the Tulpehocken Creek around 1700. As early as 1707, a settlement is recorded for this area; naming it Tulpehocken. Many of these settlers were Germans who first immigrated from the Palatine area of Germany to New York and then emigrated from New York to here since they were treated so badly there and this area reminded them so much of their "homeland" along the Rhine River.

Casper Wistar of Philadelphia, a representative of William Penn, owned 10,000 acres along the Tulpehocken Creek, deeded out tracts of land to the German settlers as of 1735. Even though the area was referred to as "Tulpehocken Settlement" he referred it to as "Fells Manor".

Tulpehocken Settlement 1735 Click on map to Enlarge

One of these settlers was Valentine Hergelrode, who purchased 249 acres along the Tulpehocken Creek. Later, to become the father-in-law of this town's "founding father", his piece of land is very significant to the town's history. During the French and Indian War, Hergelrode's home was one of many homes used as a refuge from the Indians, thus as the townspeople refer to this home as "the old fort".

A few massacres are recorded from the French and Indian War. One of which took place in the vicinity of what is now Goodwill and Main Streets. Another is on July 8, 1757, in the area of the Valentine Hergelrode home.

So it is now fitting to relate the story of Issac Meier, the founder of Myerstown. Born January 4, 1730, near Host, Berks County. He married Catherine Hergelrode, daughter of Valentine Hergelrode in 1754. They had five children, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, John and Eva.

On December 24, 1757, it is deeded that 249 acres was sold to Issac Meier and wife Catherine in a sheriff sale of the late Valentine Hergelrode. They made their home at the site of the original Hergelrode house. This home is presently located on South College Street. (It is believed that the east wing of the house is the original home.)

Only known likness of Issac and Catherine Meier Click picture to Enlarge

As early as 1763, it is recorded that Meier started to deed plots of property to other people. In 1768 he plotted out a town which he called Tulpehocken Town. This small community began to thrive. Meier then became the magistrate of the district of which the town was located.

Henry Buch House As it looks today

Having incurred the enmity of a malicious person, he was fatally shot while siiting near a window of an inn, the "Henry Buch House". This place still stands at 40 West Main Street. He lived to be taken home, but died the following evening between 9 and 10 P.M. on July 14, 1770. The assassin was never found.

After his death, the townspeople and people of the surrounding area started referring to his town as "Meier's Town". Thus, the present name for the town, Myerstown.

Freedom did not come "cheap" to the citizens. Some "paid" with their lives. During the War of Independence the people of the area were among the first to rebel against the authority of England. Many who fought, were under Colonel Nicholas Haussegger of the German Continental Regiment (a Myerstown native). Wagons of food and clothing were shipped to the soldiers by the people here. During his encampment at Valley Forge, in 1777, George Washington had stayed at the home of Michael Lei in Jackson Township.

With the "rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air" at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, brought the War of 1812 near home in central Pennsylvania and there was no want of men to defend the state. Three companies from Lebanon County fought in service for nine months during this campaign.

Gravesites of the brave men who fought in these two wars can be seen in the Union Cemetery along Washington Avenue.

In operation from 1837 to 1885 the Union Canal was one of the most valuable public properties in Lebanon Couny and had done much toward developing the county's resources. An idea proposed by William Penn in 1690, building of the canal only began in 1793. Even though the canal would provide a livelihood for them years later, in the begining, the citizens were much against the building of "the ditch". A riot broke out in Myerstown in 1793 with the people of then Heidelberg Township against the construction workers for the canal. The riot had to be quelled by Govenor Thomas Mifflin.

Union Canal Tunnel Click picture to Enlarge

Once in operation the canal was located on the south side of town along the Tulpehocken Creek. It was a water way link between the Susquehanna River near Middletown to the Schuylkill River near Reading. This was the first canal built in this country.

Remnants of the canal can be seen throughout Lebanon County. One of them is the Union Canal Tunnel (pictured above) which is located near Ebenezer. It is the oldest existing tunnel in the United States and is a National Historical Landmark. Also, many locks can be seen like this one to the left in Jackson Township. The first boat to use the canal was the "Alpha of the Tulpehocken" which was built in Myerstown. For a more detailed history on The Union Canal Click Here.

Lock No. 6 (Lock located center of picture) Click picture to Enlarge

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