Historical political writing found in Mercersburg restaurant
As the nation prepares for the upcoming presidential election, a local historian is investigating political slogans painted on an attic wall some 170 years ago.
Last spring, Mercersburg historian and archeologist Tim Rockwell began researching the writing on the attic stairwell of Flannery's Restaurant, located on the square in Mercersburg.
"I find it fascinating, especially in a presidential election year. A hundred, seventy years ago, they were talking about issues just like today," Rockwell said.
The slogans, which span a decade from 1838 to 1848, are painted in large black script on a plaster wall and include "For President Henry Clay of Kentucky," "President Z. Taylor" and "Taylor Fillmore and the Whig Party." The dates 1838,1840, and 1848 stand out in other areas. On an opposite wall, "Tariff of 1842" is faded, but readable.
Who wrote the slogans and why remains a mystery.
"It's in such an odd place, and it survived 170 years," Rockwell said. "Why was it put in the attic? They must have felt secretive about what their feelings were."
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Last spring, Mercersburg historian and archeologist Tim Rockwell began researching the writing on the attic stairwell of Flannery's Restaurant, located on the square in Mercersburg.
"I find it fascinating, especially in a presidential election year. A hundred, seventy years ago, they were talking about issues just like today," Rockwell said.
The slogans, which span a decade from 1838 to 1848, are painted in large black script on a plaster wall and include "For President Henry Clay of Kentucky," "President Z. Taylor" and "Taylor Fillmore and the Whig Party." The dates 1838,1840, and 1848 stand out in other areas. On an opposite wall, "Tariff of 1842" is faded, but readable.
Who wrote the slogans and why remains a mystery.
"It's in such an odd place, and it survived 170 years," Rockwell said. "Why was it put in the attic? They must have felt secretive about what their feelings were."