The Old Eighth Ward’s numerous businesses supported the economic and social life of thousands of Harrisburg’s inhabitants. Alongside large manufacturing joints, the small shop owners, butchers, bakers, hotel owners, pawnbrokers, pool shop owners, cigar sellers, and grocers mingled in this neighborhood and served both local residents and state employees. This gallery showcases some of these businesses captured in photographs in 1911 by John D. Lemer and digitized by the Pennsylvania State Archives.

For a full list of businesses in the Old Eighth, see Stephanie Patterson Gilbert’s useful business directory page at Harrisburg’s Old 8th Ward website.

  • J. Wolfs Groceries, Cigars and Tobacco (Cowden St from 115 to 119)
  • The Wise Grocer (East side of North St)
  • Chas G. Gilmer Registered Plumber (View of Filbert St)
  • Gordon Manufacturing Company (Walnut St)
  • Paxton Flour & Feed Co & Harrisburg Storage Co (South St)
  • Ice Cream and Confectionery (North side of Walnut St)
  • E.N. Cooper Foundry and Machine Works (Short St)
  • Harrisburg Cash Grocery (northwest corner of Walnut & Short Sts)
  • Harrisburg Storage Company from railroad.
  • H.G. Walter Meat Market (Northwest corner of State & Fifth Sts)
  • National Hotel (the corner of Fourth St & North alley)
  • Women and Children’s Clothing (Short St from Walnut St)
  • Grocery Store (Short St from Walnut St)
  • Kurzenknabe Printing (Short & South Sts)
  • Carr’s Restaurant (600 to 602 Walnut St)
  • Cigar Store (432 South St)
  • A. Zeger Clothing Store (Cowden St looking from Walnut St)
  • L.C. Shammo and Son Grocers (609 State St)
  • Genuine Smoking Tobacco (Filbert St looking from North St)
  • National Hotel (The corner of Fourth St and North alley)
  • Rosebud Cafe (Filbert St from the north side of Walnut St)
  • Grocery Store (Tanner’s Alley looking north from Walnut St)
  • Parson’s Drug Store (Short St)
  • City Star Laundry (Fourth St)
  • Stacks of the Harrisburg Electric Company (Southeast corner of Fourth & South Sts)
  • Tobacco Store (121 to 123 Cowden St)
  • Rear Factory View (National Hotel & State Street Market)
  • Calvin Etter and Son General Store (Cowden & State Sts)
  • Calvin Etter and Son General Store and J.H. Weaver Cafe, Cowden street looking southeast from State street.
  • Cowden street looking north from State street.
  • J. Miller’s Bakery (Fifth St looking from State St)
  • J.H. Weaver Cafe (Cowden St looking from State St)
  • Fry’s Hotel and Corona Hotel, formerly the Red Lion (Fifth St looking from State St)
  • Harrisburg Steam, Heat, and Power Company (South side)
  • W. O. Hickok Manufacturing Company from the Pennsylvania Railroad.
  • Moorhead Knitting Company (South St looking from Filbert St)
  • Schutzenbach Bros (Walnut St looking from Fourth St)
  • Parson’s Drug Store (Fifth & South Sts)