Rare 1914 Postcard Chambersburg PA - Market St - The Lincoln Way Pennsylvania for Sale

Rare 1914 Postcard Chambersburg PA - Market St - The Lincoln Way Pennsylvania For Sale

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Rare 1914 Postcard Chambersburg PA - Market St - The Lincoln Way Pennsylvania:
$149.99

This rare 1914 postcard is of the celebration of Chambersburg's 150th anniversary of its founding. It also marks the 50th anniversary of the town being ransomed and burned by the Confederate Army. Over 500 buildings were burned to the ground.The borough was the only major northern community burned down by Confederate forces during the war.

Approximate size: 5.4 inches x 3.4 inches

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, is a borough in the South Central region of Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the Cumberland Valley, which is part of the Great Appalachian Valley. The town was settled in 1730 by Benjamin Chambers, who built sawmills and gristmills at Conococheague Creek and Falling Spring Creek. The town developed on both sides of these creeks.
Chambersburg’s history includes episodes relating to the French and Indian War, the Whiskey Rebellion, John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, and the Civil War. The borough was the only major northern community burned down by Confederate forces during the war.
On July 30, 1864, Brigadier General John McCausland and 2,800 Confederate cavalrymen entered Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. They rang the Courthouse bell to gather citizens and read a ransom demand of $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in Yankee currency. The ransom was demanded in retaliation for the destruction committed by General Hunter in the Shenandoah Valley.
However, the residents of Chambersburg could not meet the demand. Banks had transported their money to safer places due to previous raids and invasions. As soon as McCausland realized the ransom demand would not be paid, he gave the order to burn the town. Detachments were sent to different parts of the town. Houses were opened, furniture was broken, piled in heaps, and set on fire. The Confederates moved quickly and fired building after building.
The firing of the town began about 8 AM and by 11 AM, the Confederate forces had all left Chambersburg. The destruction was massive. Flames destroyed more than 500 structures leaving more than 2,000 people homeless. However, this would not be the end. Out of the ashes of this tragic event, through strength and courage of a determined people, Chambersburg would rise. One month after the burning, Chambersburg was busy formulating progressive recommendations for the rebuilding of the Town. Then ten years after the 1864 burning, the community was solidly moving toward a new era.In the background, very small, there is a sign for a telegraph office and another for a cafe.This postcard was originally made by C.A. (Clyde) Laughlin from Shippensburg, PA, who died in 1969.The reference photo is of a newspaper article printed in the Martinsburg herald (Martinsburg, W. Va.) on August 31, 1912, discussing the anniversary.

Please inspect the pictures, as they give the best representation of condition. May have discoloring, edge or corner wear, marks, creases, fading, smudges, corner or edge bends, tears, or corners missing.

(C121 inventory number)