Welcome to Lebanon
Founded in 1720
Lebanon was founded by George Steitz in 1740 and was originally named Steitztown. The town was laid out in 1753, incorporated as a borough on February 20, 1821, and became a city on November 25, 1885. Lebanon bologna was first made here, since before the 1780s. The Union Canal, which operated from 1828 to 1885, flowed through the city's north side. San Giorgio pasta has been manufactured in Lebanon since 1914, and was acquired by nearby Hershey Foods Corporation in 1966.
School Districts
- Lebanon
- Northern Lebanon
- Eastern Lebanon
- Cornwall Lebanon
- Annville-Cleona
- Palmyra Area
Area Attractions
Lebanon Farmers Market
The Lebanon Farmers Market is located in the heart of Lebanon's Downtown District within blocks of a brewery, cidery, art gallery, and much more. It is a longstanding Farmers Market in a historic building that is beautifully renovated and maintained. The building also features a second-floor mezzanine and the third-floor restaurant and bar.
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Originally built by Peter Grubb in 1742, the furnace underwent extensive renovations in 1856-57 under its subsequent owners, the Coleman family, and closed in 1883. It is this mid-19th century ironmaking complex which survives today. At Cornwall, furnace, blast equipment, and related buildings still stand as they did over a century ago. Visitors can explore the rambling Gothic Revival buildings where cannons, stoves, and pig iron were cast, and where men labored day and night to satisfy the furnace’s appetite for charcoal, limestone, and iron ore.
Gretna Theatre
One of south-central Pennsylvania’s few professional theatres, and one of the oldest summer theatres in America, Gretna Theatre is located in the arts/resort community of Mt. Gretna, PA where theatre has been produced at this same location since 1927!
Mt Gretna Lake and Beach
Mt. Gretna Lake & Beach is a family-owned and operated swim and recreation facility open to the public for a daily fee. Set on eight acres of beach, recreation lawn, and picnic grove are adjacent to mountain stream–fed Lake Conewago located in South Central Pennsylvania.
Lebanon Rails to Trails
The Lebanon Valley Rails-Trail was created from two local railroads, The Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad and the Cornwall Railroad. Both railroads were built to support the Cornwall Iron Ore Mines and transported iron ore and other by-products to the various iron furnaces and process mills.
