The John Bitner Mansion

In December, I wrote about an Italianate building that once stood on North Duke Street. Shortly after, my dentist shared with me how he wanted to learn more about the former John Bitner mansion, across the street on 416 North Duke Street, where his dental offices are presently located. 

John R. Bitner, a cabinetmaker, shipper, contractor, manufacturer and "man of all business", rose to prominence in the mid-1800s. He seemed to have his finger on the pulse of commerce and was very successful in business ventures. He invested in shipping, railroads,  cotton and paper mills, and even a resort town in New Jersey. He served as the prison inspector and on City Council. He was a member of many boards, most notably as President of the newly founded Fulton National Bank. 

John Bitner built the mansion on North Duke Street about 150 years ago. I searched the newspaper archives for references to John Bitner and further modified my search to include references to the Duke Street address. I found a few interesting articles highlighting the people who called this home. I hope you enjoy!

Contributed by Andrew Wesley Whalen. Andrew, a resident of the Sixth Ward since 2007, is a founding member of Lancaster's 6th Ward HistoryMakers. ​