By Jim Hook
Public Opinion
MERCERSBURG, Pa. — The local fire company has purchased one of the oldest houses in town, and some local residents are concerned about its future.
The house, next door to the Mercersburg Montgomery Peters and Warren Volunteer Fire Company, is purportedly where in 1765 colonist James Smith organized one of the earliest uprisings against British rule in America.
Those who want to protect the stone house wrote to fire company officials and offered to work with the fire company. Twelve names are typed at the bottom of the letter, which has no signatures.
“Nobody thought they would tear it down,” said Betty Stenger, one of the preservationists.
The letter reads in part: “We understand it is the intention of the fire department to raze this building ... for additional parking spaces and probable expansion in the future. We would be honored if you would let us partner with you to find a solution that would make good use of the Smith House and to help further the mission of the MMP&W Volunteer Fire Company.”
Fire company officials were mum.
“I have no comment,” MMPW Fire Chief Dusty Stoner said. “My board told me to say we have no comment.”
Both Stenger and Stoner are members of Mercersburg Borough Council.
MMPW purchased the house earlier this month for $125,000 from Perry L. and Jacqueline L. Nelling, according to courthouse records.
The house, located outside the borough’s historic district, had been listed for sale for about two years, according to local residents. The interior is in disrepair, and windows are broken.
The house is apparently connected to James Smith, who kept a journal when he lived for five years as a captive of Native Americans. He and his “Smith Rangers” successfully raided the British garrison at Fort Loudoun before the Boston Tea Party and other notable conflicts in New England. The John Wayne movie “Allegheny Uprising” was based on Smith’s exploits.
A Mercersburg historical group recently saved a 1792 log house discovered inside an apartment house after a fire on Center Square in 2003. About $85,000 of a $100,000 grant is being spent to shore up the foundation of the Irwin House.
The MMPW ambulance squad recently expanded the back of the existing fire hall for additional bays at a cost of more than $150,000. It was the first addition to the fire hall in 35 years.
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