News

Footsteps of our Founders: June 14 - July 4
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 by Phil George

Categories: Community / News

Take a step back in time as you walk through our beautiful downtown to explore and discover the rich history rooted in this community.

We are excited to announce that the Downtown Carlisle Association has received a grant from the America250PA to celebrate the history of our Founders.

We will be placing artwork of historical figures that had an impact in Carlisle on downtown storefronts. There will a QR code in the shape of a footprint at each location for you to scan to hear the narrated story of their impact on the downtown and the legacy they've left behind.

Stroll at your leisure anytime between June 14 and July 4 and while you are downtown, make sure to check out all of our local shoppes, restaurants, galleries, experiences and entertainment that Downtown Carlisle has to offer!

Special thanks to the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation and Visitors Bureau for awarding funding to us.

Thanks also to the team behind the scenes, including the DCA Board of Directors, organizational committee members, and the Cumberland County Historical Society.

Footsteps of our Founders Map

Historical Figure Window Locations:

The locations are listed by beginning at Veterans Courtyard on the Square and then traveling in a large cricle throughout town to find each historical figure.

Cumberland County 250 Bell located in Veterans Courtyard on the Townsquare
- Historical Figure: Mary Hays McCauley aka Molly Pitcher
Helena’s Cafe and Creperie - 36 W High St.
- Historical Figure: William Irvine
Carlisle Theatre - 40 W High St.
- Historical Figure: John Philip Sousa
. Centenary Building - 46-54 W. High S
- Historical Figure: James Buchanan
Sanctuary Boutique - 100 W High St.
- Historical Figure: The Houdinis
Bosler Memorial Library - 158 W High St.
- Historical Figure: J. Herman Bosler
Dickinson Farm Works - 169 W High St
- Historical Figure: Frederick Watts
Molly Pitcher Brewing Company - 139 W High St.
- Historical Figure: Esther Popel Shaw
Whistlestop Bookshop - 129 W High St.
- Historical Figure: Marianne Moore
Cafe Bruges - 16 N Pitt St.
- Historical Figure: Dr. Benjamin Rush
High Street Mural - W High Street in the CCHS Pocket Park
- Historical Figure: Jim Thorpe
History on High Museum Shop - 33 W High St.
- Historical Figure: James Hamilton
Central Wedge Cheese Shop - 25 W High St.
- Historical Figure: William Thompson
Athena Mobility and Strength - 21 W High St.
- Historical Figure: Charlotte Roy Butcher
C-Luv Thrift - 20 N Hanover St.
- Historical Figure: Ben Lamberton
Miss Ruth’s Time Bomb - 24 N Hanover St.
- Historical Figure: Saint Katherine Drexel
North Hanover Grille - 37 N Hanover Street
- Historical Figure: General John Armstrong
Urban Artisan Studio (101 N Hanover St)
- Historical Figure: Wilhelm Schimmel
Market Cross Pub & Brewery - 113 N Hanover Street
- Historical Figure: James Wilson
Back Porch Brewing (133 N Hanover St)
- Historical Figure: Alexander Hamilton
Indigo Color Bar - 201 N Hanover St.
- Historical Figure: Emma McGowan
Let’s Replay / Scales & Tails Oasis - 219 N Hanover St Rear
- Historical Figure: Louis-Phiipe d’Orleans
Create-A-Palooza - 11 E High St.
- Historical Figure: Judge John Creigh
Crystal Oakman - 17 E High St.
- Historical Figure: Frederick Douglass
Carlisle Arts Learning Center - 38 W Pomfret St.
- Historical Figure: David “Robber” Lewis
Raudabaugh’s Barber Shop - 42 W Pomfret St
- Historical Figure: William Wilkins
Fay’s Country Kitchen - 203 S Hanover St.
- Historical Figure: George Washington

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Comments

Mary staubrowe From 1 West PeSt Carlisle At 6/23/2026 9:00:44 PM

Some of the footprints are not easily accessible to handicapped people. I'm in a wheelchair. Boslers was hard to get to and the one across the street at dickinson farm store. I loved this . Really informative.

Reply by: Downtown Carlisle Association

We tried to have the majority of the QR codes easy to scan for everyone but there were a couple placed in tough spots. If you search Footsteps on our Founders on Youtube, you'll be able to find all of the narrations. We will also be releasing all of the narrations on our website and socials after July 5th.

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