On November 14th, 1765 Robert Fulton was born in Lancaster County south of Lancaster City near what is now Lancaster Pike - Route 272.  Fulton went on to be credited with the invention of the first practical submarine (1800) and steam-powered ship (1803) while in France. The first time Fulton proposed the idea of a steam ship to Napoleon, the general's response was "You would make a ship sail against the winds and currents by lighting a bonfire under her deck? Excuse me, I have no time to listen to such nonsense".  Fulton was a key contributor to the modern era of propulsion and has been memorialized in many ways, including this statue in the Pennsylvania State House:

His childhood home was aquired by the state in 1965 (two hundred years after his birth) and has been preserved.  It is open for tours Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends only - Saturday 11AM to 4PM, Sunday 1PM to 5PM. Open Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day as well. Other hours and group tours are by appointment.  Admission is $1 for adults 12 and older, children under 12 free.

Come visit this Lancaster County historic site!  Click here for more Lancaster PA Photography

For Lancaster PA Real Estate news click here.