Historic structures and prehistoric and historic archaeological studies have been conducted to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. The intent of the National Historic Preservation Act is to ensure that the impacts of growth and development are considered as Federal projects and programs are planned and carried out.  Section 106 applies to any undertaking that has federal funding or requires a federal permit. As the lead federal agency for the Schaefferstown Bypass Environmental Assessment project, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) must take into account the effects of the project on historic properties and provide an opportunity for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to comment.  The State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the public, and any other consulting parties are also involved in the consultation process.

 

There are four fundamental steps in the Section 106 review process:

• Initiate the process. The Federal agency determines if is has an undertaking (project) that could affect historic properties.  This step has been completed for this project

• Step two is identifying historic properties. This includes determining the scope of efforts, identifying historic properties, and evaluating historic significance. This step has been completed.

• If it is decided that historic properties may be affected by the project, the agency moves to the third step: assess potential adverse effects on the historic properties. This step has been completed.

• Finally, if it is determined that a historic property will be adversely affected, and then the agency moves to resolve adverse effects. This might include incorporating design shifts and modifications to avoid or minimize effects, or recommending measures to mitigate adverse effects. A Memorandum of Agreement has been executed to insure that the measures are carried out.

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Historic and Archaeological Resources

Section 106 Consulting Parties

 

In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the law that considers a project's effects on historic properties, FHWA recognizes the significant role that public involvement plays in the successful completion of projects. Section 106 regulations implemented by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) encourage early coordination with groups or individuals who have a demonstrated interested in historic properties that may be affected by a proposed project. These groups or individuals, known as Section 106 Consulting Parties, have the opportunity to comment on identification and evaluation of historic properties, as well as provide their views on effects to these properties and proposed strategies to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects.

 

If you would like to become a consulting party, please send a letter of request to:

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Engineering District 8-0
Doug Murphy, Project Manager
2140 Herr Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103-1699

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Note your interest, such as individual, property or business owner, or person with a legal or economic interest to be affected by the project. The Federal Highway Administration will consider your request and decide if you meet the criteria to become consulting party. 

Additional information about the Section 106 process may be found on the ACHP website at  www.achp.gov.

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Historic Resources in the Area

 

Within the study area, there are both National Register of Historic Places listed and determined eligible for listing on the National Register resources.  The Schaefferstown Historic District was determined eligible in 1980 and boundaries have been delineated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's Bureau for Historic Preservation. The Philip Erpff House was listed on the National Register in 1979; the Rex House was listed in 1980; and the Franklin Inn was determined eligible for listing on the National Register in 1984.  The Schaefferstown Water Company was determined eligible for listing in 1987.  All are within the boundary of Schaefferstown and the Schaefferstown Historic District.   To the southwest of Schaefferstown (bounded on the north by S.R. 0419 and 0501 and to the east by S.R. 0501) are two large historic districts.  Brendle Farms was listed on the National Register in 1972 and the Old Mill Road Historic District was determined eligible for listing on the National Register in 1992.  Well over a hundred properties were surveyed in the vicinity of Schaefferstown as part of a local survey, and are primarily incorporated within the boundaries of the Schaefferstown Historic District.  

 

Schaefferstown Historic District was determined eligible for the National Register in 1980.  Schaefferstown is one of the oldest settlements in Lebanon County.  The village grew up at the intersection of two well-traveled roads.  The fertile limestone soil and supply of mountain spring water induced immigrants to settle in this region.  In 1758 Alexander Schaeffer of Germany purchased the surrounding land and named his town Heidelberg, but the name was officially changed to Schaefferstown in 1830.

 

Brendle Farms has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972.  The property is significant under Criteria A, B, and C for its role in the history of the Schaefferstown area, as well as for its association with prominent historical figures Alexander Schaeffer and Reverend Thomas Royce Brendle, a nationally significant figure in Pennsylvania German folklore. It is also significant for several architecturally significant structures including Alexander Schaeffer’s stone Weinbauernhaus (multi-purpose house).  Brendle Farms is comprised of two farms: the Upper Farm or Schaeffer Farm and the Lower Farm or Brendle Farm.  The Upper Farm is currently under evaluation as a National Historic Landmark and the property is currently managed and owned by Historic Schaefferstown Inc.

 

The Old Mill Road Historic District consists of a concentration of farmsteads southwest of Schaefferstown. The district, determined eligible by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 1992, was partially surveyed at that time.  During the 1992 survey, each historic property was identified by the name of the owner as recorded on the 1875 Beers atlas. Resources recorded at that time included the L. Jamison Farmstead, M. Groh Farmstead, David Zug House, J. Kessler Farmstead, “Dulabong”, M. Barkey House, Sheetz-Brubaker House, and the J. Horst Farmstead.  The Brendle Farms are also included within the boundary of the Old Mill Road Historic District. As part of the proposed improvements to S.R. 501, the portion of this district within the preliminary study area was re-surveyed and re-evaluated, with the result of identifying several more contributing farmsteads to this historic district.

Within the preliminary study area, twelve additional resources have been surveyed and Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey (PHRS) forms completed.  Of these twelve, the W. Iba/Lapp Farmstead was recommended eligible for listing in the National Register.

 

W. Iba/Lapp Farmstead  This house is an excellent and well preserved example of an early 19^th century brick farmhouse typical for the Schaefferstown area.  This farmhouse retains a large degree of integrity of materials, design, workmanship, feeling, and association. Its outbuildings are also largely from the 19^th century, not having undergone severe alterations that would detract from their historicity. The farmstead is recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C and is likely part of a greater rural historic district extending to the north and west.  The evaluation of a greater rural historic district extended to the north and the west is outside the scope of the project.

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