History

In the early 1730's, German immigrants settled in the area now known as Myerstown.  On early maps Myerstown was called Herclerode, after the first landowner, Mr. Valentine Herclerode.  The Herclerode house still stands on South College Street, and is known as the Isaac Meier House. 

In July of 1770, Mr. Meier was shot and killed in a local tavern and his murderer was never found.  After Mr. Meier died, his town gradually became known as Meier-Town, in tribute to him.  After awhile, the spelling of the name took on an English form of Myer rather than the German form of Meier. 

Many of the early homes in the Myerstown area were built of limestone or logs.  Examples of these original buildings can still be seen on Main Avenue, South Railroad Street and South Cherry Street. 

During the 1820's, a part the Union Canal ran right through the Borough. Utilizing the streams of the area, eight canal locks were constructed and canal boats were built locally.  This helped Myerstown to flourish and soon factories, hotels, and stores sprang up in the vicinity.

Then, in the 1850's the Lebanon Valley Railroad was built south of the Union Canal, which brought more prosperity to Myerstown.  After the Civil War, horse-trading was a large business in Myerstown, which spun-off to other businesses.  Palatinate College as started and later became Albright College and is now the Evangelical School of Theology.

During the American Civil War, many young men volunteered to fight for the Union. Several of the many heros of the Union forces were born and raised in Myerstown. One of these heros was Color Sgt. Henry Brehm of the 149 Pennsylvania Regiment. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863 and died of his wounds in August of that year. Sgt. Brehm 's body was returned to his home and is buried in the Union Cemetery on Washington Avenue.

November 9, 1909, a group of Myerstown Citizens held a meeting in the Keystone Fire Company Hall to form an organization to petition for a Borough Government.  Organization was effected by the election of Dr. A. E. Gobble as Chairman, George S. Bleistein as Secretary, and B. C. Lindenmuth as Treasurer.  It was decided that B. C. Lindenmuth take out the petition for signers and that the Committee then take the petition out in the order of their election.

The next meeting on January 18, 1910, it was decided to assess each member of the Committee $5.00 to help defray the present expenses of the cause.  All members at once paid their assessment as follows: 

• H. G. Deitz
• Dr. A. E. Gobble
• J. H. Wilhelm 
• James Kalbach
• B. C. Lindenmuth
• A. S. Greenwalt
• Henry L. Corl
• Joseph M. Painter
• Cornelius Loose
• George S. Bleistein
• John A. Donges

Following this there are minutes of three meetings recorded until February 1, at which time Attorney Harry Honker presented his report of the decision of Judge Henry of Lebanon County Courts in granting the Borough application.  (The Committee paid Attorney Honker $500 for his services, each of whom paid an equal share.) 

The Borough was incorporated February 5, 1912 with a population of 2,335.  Attorney Honker advised the committee in regards to the officers to be elected as follows: 

• Burgess for four year term
• Seven Councilmen for four year terms
• Tax Collector for four year term
• Assessor for four year term
• Three Auditors for four year terms
• High Constable and a Constable
• Judge of Elections and two Inspectors for two year terms
• Five School Directors to be appointed by the Court
• Council to organize by electing a Treasurer, Secretary, and Street Commissioner

Final meeting of the Committee was held April 1, 1912.  It was revealed by Attorney Honker that the appeal made by opposition group was denied by Superior Court.  At this meeting a committee consisting of Dr. Gobble, B. C. Lindenmuth, and J. H. Wilhelm was appointed to formulate a summary of minutes and proceedings of the committee for Borough Councils future reference.  These papers are preserved in the files of Myerstown Borough.

The First Myerstown Borough Council:

• Henry L. Corl, President
• Samuel P. Beckay
• John A. Donges
• Monroe C. Haak
• James Kalbach
• Joseph M. Painter
• Isaac B. Haak

The First Officers of Myerstown Borough:

• Edwin R. Noll, Secretary
• Frank B. Uhrich, Treasurer
• Harry A. Honker, Solicitor
• Edward Spangler, High Commissioner
• Alex Harnish, Constable
• Warren G. Hain, High Constable
• Abraham B. Landis, Tax Collector

First Burgess of Myerstown Borough:

• Addison Bower

A draft plan of the Borough was adopted in 1913 which was revised in 1931.  In 1938 there was a storm sewer W.P.A. project.  In 1941 a civil defense council was established, and in 1948 a Police Pension Fund was established, also a water authority was created as well as a portion of Jackson Township annexed into the Borough.  A social security fund for Borough employees was established in 1952 and a Sewer authority created in 1963.  In 1964 an office of Borough Manager was established and Edward H. Treat was hired as Borough Manager.  In 1966 a Department of Borough Planning and a Borough Park and Recreation Board were established.

VIGNETTES OF MYERSTOWN OVER 250 YEARS, 1768-2018
By Donald Brown

Myerstown Borough is fortunate to have a resident who is an expert on the topic of historical geography.  Donald Brown, a native of Lebanon and current resident of Myerstown, has amassed an impressive collection of postcards over his lifetime, and his desire to make these cards available for research led him to establish the Institute of American Deltiology, which is located in the Borough at 300 West Main Avenue.  On March 24, 2018, he gave a presentation in honor of the 250th Anniversary of Myerstown entitled, "Vignettes of Myerstown over 250 Years, 1768-2018."  Twenty-two "vignettes" were presented to a crowd of over 100 Myerstown residents at the Sestercentennial Kickoff Luncheon in the Theater Room at StoneRidge Poplar Run.  A transcript of the presentation can be found at the link below.

"Vignettes of Myerstown over 250 Years, 1768-2018" - Donald Brown

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