Evolution of Harrisburg's Skyline - Harrisburg, PA - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

This sign is located along Riverside Drive on City Island, in the Susquehanna River, in the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The sign is titled, "Evolution of Harrisburg's Skyline," and describes the changes to the city's skyline over time. It includes three images of the skyline from 1855, 1906, and 1935. The sign was placed by "The Harrisburg History Project Commissioned by Mayor Stephen R. Reed." Interestingly, the view of the skyline from the location of the sign is blocked by trees. However, one can walk closer to the river to get a better view.

The full text of the sign reads:

Harrisburg's distinction as the Susquehanna River's trademark city is garnered through both its stunning riverfront setting and its ever-growing skyline, presenting a panorama of urban vitality and economic health. Since 1822 when the Federal-styled dome of the Old Capitol rose to first define the presence of this community when viewed from afar, Harrisburg has produced lofty and attractive buildings and structures which define in three dimension the marriage of the man-made and natural environments. The old steeples and cupolas of churches and public buildings were later complemented by early edifices of height such as downtown's Old Post Office and Grand Opera House. After the turn of the 20th Century when the new Capitol Dome of 272 feet dominated the landscape, the first true modern skyscrapers of the Union Trust Building on Market Square and the white-terra cotta Kunkel Building at Third and Market Streets were erected. The Harrisburger Hotel, now the Fulton Bank Building, and the Payne-Shoemaker Building, Bell Telephone Building and Penn Harris Hotel followed by the late teens through the 1920's. By mid Century, an expanding Capitol Complex temporarily abandoned its neo-classicism in favor of office towers along Forster Street and a battery of new buildings rose along Pine Street as did residential towers on Chestnut Street. Since the late 1970's, concentrated development in the traditional downtown include the 341-foot 333 Market Street Tower, in addition to Strawberry Square, the Rachael Carlson State Office Building, the M&T Bank Tower, the PNI Insurance Tower, the Harrisburg Hilton and Towers and the Market Square Plaza. This and proposed development all speak to Harrisburg's vibrant real estate dynamics representing in many cases fourth and fifth generation development on the same site.

Group that erected the marker: The Harrisburg History Project Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: Riverside Drive Harrisburg, PA USA 17101 URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, preferably including yourself or your GPSr in the photo. A very detailed description of your visit may be substituted for a photo. In any case please provide a description of your visit. A description of only "Visited" or "Saw it while on vacation" by anyone other than the person creating the waymark may be deleted by the waymark owner or the category officers.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.