History
Cira 1828 - Greenwalt Hotel
Cira 1905 - Snow storm
C. Emlen Urban
Postcard image of building cira 1928
Cira 1939 - Lite up marquee
Cira 1945 - Flooding
1960's Prom
1986 - Plans to renovate the theatre to a dining area
|
Before 1793 - This parcel was a part of the Harris Plantation (one of the first people to settle in Elizabethtown). Ownership was transferred to Barnabus Hughes and his wife Elizabeth.
1793 - Michael Coble married widowed, Elizabeth Hughes, and they built an inn on 18 N Market Street. 1822 - Major Michael Brenneman bought the inn, renaming it Brenneman’s Inn. He also married now twice widowed, Elizabeth Hughes. 1828 - Colonel Abraham Greenwalt bought the inn and renamed it Greenwalt Hotel. He also married three times widowed, Elizabeth Brenneman. 1905 - A historically large snow storm covered the entire road. In May an addition to the North side of the hotel was erected. 1922 - The Loyal Order of the Moose purchased the Greenwalt Hotel property from Frederick Klein on Wednesday, July 22,1922. 1923 - The hotel was demolished and construction ensued. Local builders, the Hoffer Brothers, were contracted to build the Moose Lodge designed by famous architect C. Emlen Urban. The building would house a movie theater, bowling alley, and social hall for the Moose fraternity. 1924 - The Moose moved into the basement and the theatre was opened. The first movie to be shown was “Little Old New York.” 1928 - During the second phase of construction, the ornate front portion of the building was completed including a lobby for the existing theatre, retail space, and a large ballroom on the second floor. 1939 - The theater embarked on a grand renovation to modernize the facility including: heating and air conditioning, new seats, new sound and lighting equipment and a neon lit marquee out front. 1945 - July 22nd a great flood sent the Conoy and Chickies creeks over their embankments flooding the entire building and sweeping the next door Baker’s Diner off its foundation and down the street. 1960’s - Elizabethtown High School hosted their post prom in the Moose ballroom. 1972 - June, tropical storm Agnes flooded the basement and caused damage which called for some remodeling. A high water mark was erected on the side of the building. 1982 - After 50 years of operation the theater closed due to competition from newer local Cineplex theatres. 1986 - As part of the 100-year celebration of Moose International, the Moose remodeled the first floor. They added a dining area, additional kitchen and 1st floor bar. The basement and ballroom were closed at this point. 2019 - In December the Moose moved their home location out of this building to another location in Elizabethtown. 2020 - The Marriage Hub purchased the historic building to host Marriage Intensive Retreats. |
Cira 1905 - Greenwalt Hotel with addition
Cira 1939 - Inside of theatre
Cira 1939 - Underneath the marquee
High mark sign from Agnes 1972
2020 - The Marriage Hub bought the building
|
Partner in Building a New Legacy!
Why Should You Partner with The Marriage Hub?
- Your gift to this building fund will continue to give back to the ministry for generations to come! This one time investment of capital will provide the ministry with additional operating revenue via rental income as well as reduced costs for current outsourcing of lodging for our couples.
- Your gift to this building fund will continue to give back to the community for generations to come! By investing in an anchor building in our community, you're investing in the long-term prosperity of our downtown commercial district. Restoring this historically prominent building will spur on increased renovation in other businesses and properties in the borough.
How to Give
- Donate online via the PayPal button on the top of this page.
- Checks can be mailed to: The Marriage Hub - 18 N. Market St., Elizabethtown, Pa 17022
- For Gifts of Stock, or additional giving options, please call our Executive Director - Jeffrey Kime at 833-482-4968 or email [email protected]
Here's some progress pictures of our project:
We'd love to hear your story about the historical Moose Lodge or Theatre!
If you have a fun memory to share ... or pictures from a time at the lodge, please email them to [email protected] so we can begin chronicling the history of this beautiful building and our wonderful community!
If you have a fun memory to share ... or pictures from a time at the lodge, please email them to [email protected] so we can begin chronicling the history of this beautiful building and our wonderful community!