Borough of Cleona, Lebanon County PA


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			The land on which the borough of Cleona is situated was part of a 1741 land grant from William Penn to John Kreider, a Swiss-German Mennonite who emigrated from Germany. The land, a part of North Lebanon Township, remained in the Kreider family until 1883. In that year, Henry Lentz Long of North Cornwall Township, Lebanon County and William L. Kreider, Londonderry Township, Lebanon County purchased four (4) acres of farmland from Michael K. Kreider and wife Sarah. In succeeding years and now in partnership with his son, John Henry, additional farmlands were purchased from Michael Kreider totaling 138 acres. At present this land comprises the north side of Cleona which has been developed as well as the farmlands and buildings north of the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad. The first building was a warehouse built by the Longs on the original four acre purchase of farmland in 1883 which became the nucleus of the town of Cleona. This warehouse provided building supplies, coal, and feed for animals for the surrounding area. In 1922, it became the John H. Long and Sons Lumber Company, continuing to supply lumber for the building trades to the growing community. This building, located on the north side of West Pine Street, is at present used for storage. In 1890, John H. Long (see photo below) built the first house in Cleona on the southwest corner of what is now North Center and West Pine Streets in which he and his wife, Fannie Kettering Long, began to rear their family. Their first child, Virgie Cleona (1890-1892) was the first child born in Cleona. This house is still a residence today. Plans were drawn for the town (circa 1883), south of the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad and north of what is now U. S. Route 422. Early blueprints show 4 and 1/3 city blocks east to west divided by Main Street (Center Street also known as Railroad Street). Streets running north and south were named for presidents of the United States. Those running east and west were named for trees. Alleys, with few exceptions, were named for birds, insects, shrubs, and seasons. Each block was divided into building lots. The first post office was established in 1890 and a water company a few years later to provide for the needs of the growing community. The Michael Kreider farmlands containing the house, barn and other out-buildings were purchased in 1901 by the Longs. This farm, located north of the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad, was never developed, but was owned and operated by Henry L. Long until his death in 1923, at which time his son, John H. began operation. From 1930-37 the farm was tenanted by the Henry Dourte family and from 1937 through the early 1940's by the Victor Hoffer family. Eventually, the farm passed to Mary Long Bowman, wife of Ammon Bowman whose son J. Alfred and wife, E. Fay Ginder Bowman, began operation. This beautiful, productive farm is still operated by them at the present time. On the farm located in a field to the east of North Center Street extension is the Kreider family cemetery. The cemetery plot is enclosed with a substantial iron fence and measures approximately 20 x 42 feet. It contains about 17 burials from 1805 to 1866, all Kreiders except two, a Daily and an Elliot. There are two rows of graves running north and south, one row adults, one row children, mostly with German inscriptions. In 1928, in partnership with his son, John C. Long, J. H. Long with George Darkes and John C. Houck purchased a 160 acre tract of farmland south of U. S. Route 422 (Penn Avenue-Berks and Dauphin Turnpike) in North Cornwall Township. This land was also planned into city blocks and building lots for the further expansion of Cleona. There was a great sense of community. As early as 1894, a school was established and small businesses began to develop. People took pride in their small town. As it grew, churches were established, businesses continued to multiply, playgrounds were developed, a new school was built to accommodate the growing population, and sports programs were begun. Incorporated into a borough in 1929, Cleona, over the years, has grown from a small town to a borough of more than 2100 citizens.

			THE FOUNDER OF CLEONA

			John Henry Long, founder of Cleona (1862-1944), was the eldest son of Henry Lentz and Mary Gingrich Long. As a very young man, he worked as a drover of a six-horse team hauling railroad ties for the Cornwall and Reading Railroad. In 1880, he joined his father in purchasing and developing properties in Lebanon County. They purchased 1500 acres of timberland from the Coleman Estates which they cleared and sold the timber for railroad ties. They owned and operated a sawmill and a lumber mill in the Mt. Gretna-Colebrook area, supplying customers in both Lebanon and Berks Counties. In the 1880's they became partners in a lumber business, established in what would become the town of Cleona. John H. Long operated the lumber business until 1922 at which time it became the John H. Long and Sons Lumber Company with the addition of his sons John C. and Harry A. The business through the years continued to expand and grow. John H. Long planned and developed the northern section of Cleona and in 1928 began development of farmland south of what is now U. S. Route 422. He established the first post office, a water company, and operated several farms. He succeeded his father, Henry L. Long, to the Board of Directors of the Farmers Trust Bank of Lebanon in 1923. He attended the Church of the Brethren. He was an able businessman, forward looking and contributing to the growth and stability of the town of Cleona. He was married to Fannie Kettering and the father of nine children: Virgie Cleona, Ada K., John C., Mary 8., Harry A., Larena E., Raymond C., Herman R. and Florence M. At his death in 1944 he resided at 34 North Center Street.

			Important dates in Cleona Borough History

			1890s - First homes erected. 1902 - Fire Company established as the “Cooperative Fire Company of Cleona.” 1912 - Cleona Elementary School built. 1922 - Center Street railroad built. 1929 - Cleona Borough is incorporated. 1938 - Five acres of land is purchased for a playground on the north side. 1946 - Borough Council appoints “special officers” to police the Borough streets. 1953 - Borough Council buys the old Cleona Elementary School on Penn Avenue 1953 - The zoning ordinance is adopted 1956 - The Police Department is organized. 1965 - Cleona playground moved to South Garfield Street. 1968 - Lebanon Co. Planning began to enforce Borough zoning laws & prepare plans. 1971 - Recycling program began. 1977 - Construction of “Cleona Acres” devel., between S. Garfield St. and Dairy Road. 1987 - Council established the Cleona Borough Sewer Authority. 1987 - Construction began on Walnut Mill Development on South Center Street 1996 - Borough moves into remodeled fire hall. 2004 - North Center Street Bridge closed for 1 year while being replaced.

			John Henry Long, Founder of Cleona

			North Center Street Looking South

			The J.H. Long Warehouse & Lumber Co., The first building and business in Cleona 1883

			Employees of the Cleona Pretzel Bakery 1945

			Pretzel Twisters

			Center Street Railroad Bridge

			North Center Street Looking North

			140 West Walnut Street Cleona Pennsylvania 17042 Office: 717-272-7167 Fax: 717- 274-3975 Email: CleonaBorough@comcast.net