THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY HICKERNELL, AUMENT, BEAR, BOYD, CUTLER, STURLA, BRADFORD, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GILLEN, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, HAHN, HARHART, HENNESSEY, HESS, M. K. KELLER, KORTZ, KULA, MAHONEY, MANN, MARSICO, MILLARD, MURT, MUSTIO, O'NEILL, PYLE, RAPP, READSHAW, REED, ROCK, ROSS, SCAVELLO, SONNEY, STERN, STEVENSON, SWANGER, VEREB, VULAKOVICH AND WATERS, MAY 9, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MAY 9, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the incorporation of the

Borough of Marietta.

WHEREAS, For over two centuries, the Borough of Marietta has

been nestled on the banks of the Susquehanna River in western

Lancaster County; and

WHEREAS, Formerly known as Anderson's Ferry, the Borough of

Marietta was incorporated in 1812; and

WHEREAS, Marietta prospered in the 1800s due to flourishing

river commerce on the Pennsylvania Canal and Railroad; and

WHEREAS, Iron smelting also contributed to Marietta's

prosperous economy and growing population; and

WHEREAS, In 1863, the First National Bank of Marietta became

the first chartered bank in Lancaster County and the 25th

chartered bank in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Due to its prosperity, Marietta became the home to

many mansions which hosted such esteemed guests as President

Ulysses S. Grant, President Grover Cleveland and Supreme Court

Justices; and

WHEREAS, In 1882, Dr. H. M. Alexander founded the first

commercial biological laboratory in the United States, and in

1894 more vaccine was produced in his laboratory than in any

other laboratory in the United States; and

WHEREAS, In 1936, Marietta was devastated by the Pennsylvania

Flood; and

WHEREAS, In 1965, civic-minded individuals formed Marietta

Restoration Associates to promote the restoration and

preservation of Marietta's history and architecture; and

WHEREAS, In 1972, Hurricane Agnes devastated Marietta but

also sparked community renovation efforts; and

WHEREAS, Since Hurricane Agnes, there have been successful

revitalization efforts in Marietta which led to 48% of the

borough being listed on the National Register of Historic Places

for being a well-preserved example of a mid-19th century town;

and

WHEREAS, Four of Marietta's historic buildings have been

restored for public use, including the old town hall, the old

bank, the union meeting house and the community house; and

WHEREAS, The borough is an architecture lovers' paradise

boasting a variety of historic homes, including Victorian,

Colonial American and Gothic cottages and log cabins; and

WHEREAS, With its charming landmarks, Marietta contributes to

the rich history of this Commonwealth; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate the

200th anniversary of the incorporation of the Borough of

Marietta.