Politics & Government
Lower Mac Sells Former Lichtenwalner Property
It was originally developed more than two centuries ago.
The Commissioners accepted a $228,000 bid from Kevin Millheim for the 4.47 acres of farmland and several buildings on the former Charles Lichtenwalner property located on Brookside Road.
Commissioner Joseph Pugliese, at the Aug. 4 meeting, said he was rather disappointed at such a low bid.
Roger Reis, commissioner president, reminded Pugliese that the property, including the home and out buildings are all in “terrible condition.”
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The total amount of land on the property is 8.47 acres, of which the township is keeping four. Only two bids were submitted for the 4.47 acres—one for $107,500 and Millheim's.
“The barn is incredible,” said Commissioner Ron Eichenberg. “Mr. Millheim intends to preserve and improve the barn—possibly for use as a home.”
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The farm was originally part of three properties owned and developed by the Jarret Family in the late 1700s-early 1800s and encompassed 217 acres, according to information from the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society. The current house was built sometime in the 1820s-1830s.
Charles L. Lichtenwalner (a fourth generation Lichtenwalner) purchased the farm in 1856. In addition to farming, he became involved in lumbering, logging and quarrying on the property.
He operated a quarry located on what is now the property of Lower Macungie Township, formerly Brookside Country Club. It was here that Lichtenwalner was killed in 1908, when a blasting explosion hurled a rock into his chest.
His oldest son, Charles A. Lichtenwalner, then took over the farm, making it into the complex seen today. In 1940, he became the third farmer from Lower Macungie to receive the Master Farmer designation from the state of Pennsylvania for:
- Excellence in farming
- Deep involvement in the community
- Being a capable businessman, for the tiller of the soil as well as caretaker of the animals
- Excellence in the appearance of the farm and upkeep of the equipment
- Comfortable home and family life
When Charles retired, his twin brother, Benjamin, took over operations of the farm until his death around 1970 in a truck accident.
The property was then purchased by Charles B. Lichtenwalner, and sold to the township in 2001 by his wife, Ruth, following his death in 1987.