AREA HISTORY:  Mulberry Postoffice, Washington Township, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
_______________________________________________ 

History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
_______________________________________________

THE MULBERRY POSTOFFICE – Page 673

This place was known for more than half a century as “Raffensberger’s Store.”  In 
1824 Christian T. Raffensberger began the mercantile business, and continued it 
until 1854, when his son Amos succeeded until 1864, when another son, Jacob, 
followed him for five years, then returned.  J. C. Bower was his successor, then 
Mr. Harlacher, who now owns the property and the adjoining farm.  L. W. Lichty 
began the store business in 1881.

In 1864, when application was made for a postoffice at this place, a difficulty 
arose as to its name.  A large mulberry tree stood in front of the store, and the 
venerable Christian Raffensberger, who is now living at the age of fourscore and 
four years, asked “Uncle Sam” to call the new postoffice “Mulberry,” in honor of 
his tree.  The old tree passed away before its original owner, but a new one has 
been planted on the same spot.  The large bridge over the Conewago near this 
place was taken away by flood of 1884, after having served the public for nearly 
fifty years.