Tour Dates for 2022 ~

• Saturday, October 22, 2022
• Sunday, October 23, 2022
• Friday, October 28, 2022
• Saturday, October 29, 2022
• Sunday, October 30, 2022

Tours begin ~

Art Printing Company
131 Locust Street
Columbia, Pennsylvania

Guests may check in at the table inside Art Printing Company.

Tour Times ~

On Saturday, October 22; and Friday, October 28, 2022, tour times are as follows ~

• 6:30 pm
• 7:00 pm
• 7:30 pm
• 8:00 pm
• 8:30 pm
• 9:00 pm
• 9:30 pm

On Sunday, October 23; Saturday, October 29; and Sunday, October 30, 2022, tour times are as follows ~

• 6:30 pm
• 7:00 pm
• 7:30 pm
• 8:00 pm

Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for your tour to allow time for proper check in. Arriving earlier than 15 minutes prior to your tour is not recommended, due to limited space in the waiting area.

Tickets ~

• $20 each
• Tickets go on sale Monday, August 1, 2022.
• Tour sizes are limited to 20 people per group.
• Reservations are required – Please call Holly at 717-587-5368.

Parking ~

Free parking is available on Locust Street after 6 pm.

Concessions ~

Available for purchase before and after each tour.

All tours are held outdoors, and our live actors will keep you entertained and on edge with their portrayal of eccentric characters from our past through rain or shine.

We encourage our guests to bring flashlights, since the public sidewalks and venue interiors can be a bit hazardous, but we will not be held responsible for any lost items or accidental injuries that may occur during the tour. For this reason, guests will be asked to sign a liability waiver upon arrival.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and continuing support.

Our Venues ~

Art Printing Company ~

Built in 1804, originally the home of Samuel Miller before being purchased by the Columbia Bank and Bridge Company  7 years later. Many historic figures such as Stephen Smith, Thaddeus Stevens, William Whipper, and William Wright held meetings here. During this time, the building was also being used as a safe house in conjunction with The Underground Railroad, with a passageway remaining in the hand-dug basement.

After the Columbia Bank and Bridge Company moved out of the building, Brenneman’s feed mill purchased the property and built and addition to the right hand side. Their business flourished here until the early 1900’s. In the 1920’s the Baker Toy company took residence. Remnants of toy production have been found here over the years. Subsequent to that, S&G Printing operated out of the building until 2017 when it was sold to Chris Raudabaugh; the owner of Art Printing Company. Currently celebrating its 100-year anniversary, Art Printing Company began operations on King Street in Lancaster in 1922 and continues to serve the community with high quality printing..

Coffee & Cream ~

This architecturally significant two-story building, constructed of white limestone, once served as Columbia’s railroad passenger station. When originally occupied, the first floor interior was divided into two waiting rooms, one for women, and one for men, as well as additional side rooms and the central ticket office. The second floor was partitioned off into offices and assembly rooms for the superintendent and engineers. The popularity of the station generated an abundant number of visitors on a day to day basis.

Today, the structure is occupied by a charming café, Coffee & Cream, where customers can enjoy a welcoming atmosphere and delicious food, beverages, pastries, and ice cream..

Mount Bethel Cemetery ~

Dating back to 1730, it is the oldest burial ground in continual use in the Columbia area. In nearly 300 years since its creation, over ten thousand former citizens have been laid to rest in its grounds, including over 680 veterans representing nine wars beginning with the Revolutionary War. In 1995, a group of nine men met to create a Board of Directors and moved to change the status of Mount Bethel to a nonprofit 501 (c) (13) corporation.

To maintain and improve the Cemetery, the volunteer Board relies on the income of small trust, the occasional internment, and lot sale. Most funds are generated through special fundraising events and the generous donation of Friends of Mount Bethel Cemetery. The mission of Mount Bethel Cemetery is to maintain, preserve, and enhance, for the benefit of the general public, the cottage, grounds, and memorials located within the boundaries of these hallowed grounds; to foster the appreciation and respect for those who are interred within, to maintain permanent records of those whose earthly remains have been entrusted to us, and to provide a community resource for historic, educational, and cultural activities.

Rivertowne Trolley ~

The Columbia & Ironville Electric Railway began operating a street passenger car in 1891. The cars of the “Columbia Belt” started at the Pennsylvania Railroad station at Front and Walnut streets, continued up Walnut to Second, over Second to Locust and then up Locust to Ninth. The cars then turned over Ninth to Walnut and followed back down Walnut Street to the station.

Popularity of the “Belt” continued to soar until the summer of 1886, when the worst trolley accident in the county’s history occurred. A car descending into Columbia, from Chickies Park, lost its breaks and derailed down an embankment, resulting in multiple casualties. It was after this horrific tragedy, when townsfolk were hesitant about riding with the Columbia & Ironville Electric Railway, that Conestoga Traction Company took over the operations. 

While Columbia no longer has trolley lines running through the streets, Rivertowne Trolley Company is able to restore that nostalgia old-fashioned ride through town. Based in beautiful Lancaster County PA, Rivertowne Trolley Company takes great pride in providing safe, unique and fun transportation for special events.