📣 Discover the Oldest Bar in Lancaster County—And One of the Oldest in Pennsylvania! Tucked away in the river town of Marietta is a gem of Pennsylvania history: Shank's Tavern—Lancaster County’s oldest continuously operating bar.
Opened in 1814, Shank’s has served thirsty travelers, canal workers, steel laborers, and curious locals for over 210 years. Built by retired riverboat captain James Stackhouse, the tavern has stood strong through wars, Prohibition, floods, and changing times. It’s seen more than two centuries of history—and still pulls a perfect pint.
Since 1930, the Shank family has kept this Marietta staple alive. Owner Bob Shank, who grew up behind the jukebox, has been at the helm since 1968, mixing Lancaster County hospitality with unexpected culinary twists—like tacos, pho, and even sushi. But don’t worry: you can still get classics like homemade soups and the beloved Beef on ‘Weck, a Buffalo favorite that Bob brought south.
What makes Shank’s special isn’t just its age—it’s the atmosphere. Cozy fireplaces, vintage wainscoting, rotating craft beers, and a crowd that mixes local flavor with riverside charm. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or someone who just loves a good story, Shank’s is worth the visit.
🕯️ Over 210 years old
🍺 Still family-owned
🌮 “Home of the East Coast Taco” since 1968
🏅 One of the oldest bars in Pennsylvania
This curious-looking character is more of a warning than a decoration. He's an "eavesdropper." The name comes from a person who lurked under the eaves of a house to overhear what was going on inside. Carved faces like these were tucked into the "eaves" to remind people not to gossip because you never know who might be listening. King Henry VIII had figures like this placed in the eaves of his palace's Great Hall to serve as a reminder to both staff and guests. Next time you are walking up the 100 block of East King Street, look up. Click the link to learn more. https://unchartedlancaster.com/eavesdropper
09/08/2025
Local History Nugget: Lancaster didn't get its first bank until 1803. Before that, merchants and traders kept cash and loaned money to meet their own needs.
09/08/2025
Different creeks offer up different treasures. For example, in Shenks Ferry's Grub Run, I find various bits of broken pottery (fourth image), while the Pequea Creek near the Martic Forge offers hints at an industrial past (fifth image). But Trout Run through Lancaster Conservancy's Trout Run Nature Preserve (images two and three) seems mostly void of previous human activity. This piece of well-worn river glass (first image) is one of the few items I've ever recovered. A quick Google search suggested that the "D230" might indicate a distiller number. What are your thoughts on what it might have been from?
09/08/2025
In 1861, at the age of 26, Julius Sturgis established the first commercial pretzel bakery in America at 219 E. Main Street, Lititz, PA. Julius lived in the house with his family and added an addition to the home for his bakery.
Dive into the enigmatic world of Lititz with Cory Van Brookhoven, President of the Lititz Historical Foundation, in his book, 'Mysterious Lititz: Ghosts, True Crime, UFOs, and More.' Click the link to read a chapter titled "The Lititz Mystery Spot," about a so-called bottomless pit with origins dating back to at least 1906. https://unchartedlancaster.com/mysterious-lititz-bottomless-pit/
09/07/2025
Today, the word “stogie” is slang for a cigar, technically referring to a cheap or roughly made one. Interestingly, the name originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to describe the long, slender ci**rs once smoked by wagon masters driving their Conestoga wagons. Learn more at https://unchartedlancaster.com/stogie-cigar-of-the-conestoga-wagoneer/
09/07/2025
Columbia, PA’s Brush with Destiny! After the ratification of the Constitution, the race to find a permanent capital for the new nation began, with Congress considering numerous locations. On September 7, 1789, a bold resolution proposed the capital be placed on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, spotlighting the small town of Columbia, PA.
But fate had other plans. In a dramatic 1790 vote, Columbia fell just one vote shy of becoming the nation’s capital, clearing the path for Washington, D.C., to claim the title. Dive into this compelling chapter of history and discover how Columbia nearly became the 'other' District of Columbia. Click the link to explore the story! https://unchartedlancaster.com/on-this-day-in-history-columbia-pas-brush-with-destiny/
09/06/2025
In 2012, the paranormal investigators from Ghost Hunters visited Bube's Brewery. What they found still gives people chills.
During a séance-like test—dubbed the “Lamp Test”—two lit oil lamps were placed at either end of a long banquet table. Investigators asked the spirits to extinguish one of them. Moments later, a single lamp suddenly went dark.
Upon reviewing their recordings, the team discovered an EVP—a disembodied voice speaking in German. It whispered: “Blow it out.”
When Jean Ellis, great-granddaughter of Alois Bube, heard the clip, she recognized the voice. It reminded her of stories passed down of how her great-grandfather survived a devastating fire that claimed lives at the brewery.
Was the voice a warning? A memory? Or something far stranger?
Lancaster County is full of communities with peculiar names. This series examines their curious etymology. Up next: Mount Joy. The town takes its name not from some nearby mountainous peak but from a 17th-century ship that saved the city of Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Click the link to learn the full story. https://unchartedlancaster.com/peculiar-names-mount-joy/
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Uncharted Lancaster posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Hi, my name is Adam. Growing up in the 80s I enjoyed watching movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Goonies. Later it was National Treasure and Ready Player One as well as the epic video game series Uncharted. When I wasn't watching one of these movies, I was cosplaying it. An old bicycle wrench was my Copper Bones. A surplus WWII gas mask bag became my Indiana Jones side bag.
I've always wanted to experience an adventure similar to one of my heroes, and that got me thinking. Why not? Why couldn't I have an adventure like one of my favorite characters, learn some local history, and maybe even find an artifact or some treasure along the way?
Maybe I couldn't, but I could definitely create them for other people. From this, the idea for Uncharted Lancaster was born. The elevator pitch sounds like this: National Treasure meets letterboxing meets Lancaster County history.
Armed with a basement full of maker space equipment, volumes of Lancaster County history, classic movie prop replicas, and a bunch of smart friends, I began constructing various adventures for Uncharted Lancaster.
If you haven't experienced an Uncharted Lancaster adventure yet what are you waiting for? You can start anytime. Who knows what you might find. The Copper Bones. Headpiece to the Staff of Ra. Take a loved one and you might even find illumination.
