Lititz, PA

Located north of Lancaster City, Lititz, PA is intersected by Route 501. As of a 2000 census, there were 9029 people living in Lititz.

History

Lititz, PA was settled by Moravians from Europe as early as the 1740s and was incorporated by 1756. Immigrating to escape persecution; these settlers came from Bohemia and Moravia, now the Czech Republic, to Saxony, Germany. Then, they went as missionaries to the “colonies”. Settling in the Warwick Township, Pennsylvania, they named their settlement, Lititz

Initially, only Moravians were permitted to live in Lititz. There were strict rules and regulations. Only members of the congregation could own their own houses, others were only allowed to lease. This system ended in 1856, no longer having any community support.

The Brethren’s House

The Brethren’s house was built and was used as a hospital during the American Revolution, and a number of soldiers were buried in Lititz. In 1746 the Moravians founded the Linden Hall School, the oldest running all-girls school in the United States. It is located next to the Moravian Church on 47 acres of land.

Independence Day Celebration

Traditional since 1813, Lititz has the longest continuous-running Independence Day celebration. The town is typically shut down to traffic, due to the large volume of tourists and former Lititz residents. Also, there is the Queen of Candles pageant with 7000 candles, a baby parade, and a high-tech fireworks display.

The Wilbur Chocolate Factory

Among the town’s special attractions are The Wilbur Chocolate Factory, The Sturgis Pretzel House, Lititz Springs Park, The Train Station/Welcome Center, The General Sutter Inn, Moravian Church Square, Sturgis Pretzel House and many small shops and boutique. Henry Wilbur started the company with Samuel Croft. They became partners and started their first business in Philadelphia, PA. Demand for their product grew and more factories appeared, including one in Lititz, Pennsylvania and one in Newark, New Jersey. Wilbur Chocolate Company continues to grow; acquiring Omnisweet and Peter’s Chocolate in 2002. The Lititz plant is still in operation and offers a museum tour of the history of chocolate making. As well as a store for consumers can buy and enjoy the Wilbur products.

Sturgis Pretzels

Julius Sturgis ran a bread bakery in Lititz, Pennsylvania in 1850. There is a legend behind the origins of his pretzel business. A hobo riding on a train, which ran behind Sturgis’s bakery, decided to get off near Sturgis’s bakery and followed the fresh baked bread smell. He was looking for a job and a meal. Well, Julius couldn’t hire him. However, he offered him dinner with his family. Then the man, touched by his kindness, gave Julius a pretzel recipe. The pretzels were a hit with his family. He added pretzel making to his business. Today Sturgis Pretzels is still in business in Reading, Pennsylvania, and the original Lititz location is now an interactive experience where tourists can visit and make their own pretzels the way Julius Sturgis made them.

Inn

The town opened up to all religious persuasions after 1856. The current Inn, built in 1764, grew to make the Zum Anker Inn. It provided entertainment and lodging for people coming into town. The Inn then became the Lititz Springs Hotel. In 1930, it became The General Sutter Inn in honor of John Augustus Sutter, a California Gold Rush pioneer, who lived his last seven years in Lititz.

Shopping

Shopping includes a few complexes, as well as many quaint shops along the Main Street and other areas of town. It is a wonderful place to spend an evening stroll with your loved ones or friends. Maybe even looking for a unique purchase, a special gift, or just enjoying window shopping.

Historic Buildings

Lititz has taken great care to preserve its history. There are many homes and buildings still standing today dating back to its inception. The Speedwell Forge Bed and Breakfast built in 1760, is just one of the many historic Bed and Breakfasts to choose from.

Dining

Lititz features many dining choices including:

• The General Sutter Inn
• Café Chocolate of Lititz
• Fiorentino
• Family Cupboard Restaurant and Buffet
• Creations Café and Tea Room.

Schools

There are seven public schools including:

• Warwick High School
• Warwick Middle School
• John Beck Elementary
• John R. Bonfield Elementary
• Kissel Hill Elementary
• Reidenbaugh Elementary
• Lititz Elementary.

The private schools include:

• Airport View Parochial Mennonite
• Fairland Road Amish School
• Lime Rock School
• Linden Hall for Girls
• Lititz Area Mennonite School
• Lititz Christian School
• Middle Creek Parochial School
• New Haven Mennonite School.

Real Estate & Homes for Sale in Lititz, PA

Lititz, PA has a variety of neighborhoods. Many of the newer luxury housing developments are meant for upscale living. Some of these neighborhoods include Penns Crossing, Wetherburn, Millpond, and Stonehenge. These houses start at $350,000 and go up to over $3,000,000. So, in older more established neighborhoods the starting price is around $129,000. In addition, if you’re shopping for a historic property, be prepared to shop in the $500,000 to $1,000,000 range. Although there are some attractive Victorian and older homes at lower prices.

Learn more about the area when you reach out to The Jeremy Ganse Home Selling Team today.