Water Street Historic District Gets Special Street Signage

LOCK HAVEN – The city’s Water Street historic district has new street signage designating the area for what it is, historic.

City crews this week were completing installation of the new street signs. The effort began a year ago with Lock Haven’s Capital Improvement Plan when city council wanted to find a way to designate the district visually to the community and visitors.

Kasey Campbell, the city’s director of community life, designed a new logo for the district as part of the project. She said the logo features three of the most recognizable buildings in the district: The Clinton County Courthouse, the Aurora Leigh Bed and Breakfast on W. Church Street, and the W.A. Simpson House on W. Water Street.

According to the Pennsylvania Historic Society, the W. A. Simpson House was the first house built on the new “mansion row” in 1853. Campbell said her research showed that building, at 118 W. Water Street, was built by David K. Jackman, an early Lock Haven entrepreneur. W. Church Street’s Aurora Leigh Bed & Breakfast was built in 1887 and is now owned and operated by Anna Kenney.

The fourth building that is featured in the logo is the rooftop of the Heisey Museum. Campbell said it was important to incorporate the Heisey into the design, because it is the current home to the Clinton County Historical Society. Built in 1831, The Heisey House was the first brick dwelling in Lock Haven, serving as an inn and tavern in its early days.

The actual historic district extends from near the Piper Memorial Airport to Lock Haven University and includes portions of Church and Main Streets.
City Manager Greg Wilson noted that official Historic District polo shirts can be purchased at Addies Awards in Lock Haven. The shirts have the historic district logo embroidered and purchasers can get their shirt customized with their street address.