Roadside America, Shartlesville Pa

 

Roadside America, Shartlesville Pa  1953-2020

Laurence Gieringer began making miniatures as a young boy.  In the 1930s, he and his wife were displaying a large village for Christmas, in their home each year.  The display was then set up in a fire house, and then in an amusement park, before being shown at the 1939 World's Fair in New York.  In 1941, named "Roadside America", it was a 4,00 square foot display in the back of a gas station. 

 In 1953, Gieringer opened his own building on 80 acres in Shartlesville, with a zoo, miniature train, and pony rides.  

The Roadside America Indoor Miniature Village was a nearly  8,000 square foot building of miniature America - trains, hand built buildings, and scenes of everyday life, with walkways around the perimeter. There were buttons to push, and overhead observation deck for parents, and an "underground" portion depicting Luray Caverns, and a Coal Mine.

"There were hundreds of buildings – churches, farms, stores, diners and movie theaters. There were mountains and waterfalls and caves.  There were covered wagons, cars and canoes, tractors, trucks and trains.

And there were people, over 4,000 of them to be exact ranging rom pioneers and policemen to carpenters and construction workers to cowboys and cavemen.  There were kids at the circus, kids at  the candy store and kids on the playground.  "

A sign in the gift shop read:

“Who enters here will be taken by surprises—be prepared to see more than you expect! You will be amazed at Roadside America’s beauty and mechanical skill—over 50 years in the making by our family. You and your children can run the trains, trolley, etc. etc.”

Buttons would make a  windmill spin, a steam roller roll and the organ grinder play music. Visitors could control the cable car and how much oil the refinery produced.  Parents on the observation deck above could activate the buttons as well. 

The display included more than 300 structures, 18 trains and trolleys, 4,000 people,  600 light bulbs and 10,000 trees.  It involved more than 21,000 feet of electrical wiring. 

A "sound and light" show played every half hour, with images of the statue of liberty, American flag, Jesus, among others, shown on one wall while  a recording of Kate Smith singing God Bless America, played.

According to the family, Gieringer began building miniature items in 1899 - at the age of 5.  (Older newspaper articles, when Laurence was still alive for the interviews, place his age at closer to 8.)  The story of 5 year old Laurence says that he was enthralled by a "miniature" house on a hill a distance from his own home.  When his parents ignored his pleas to go see the toy house, he set off on his own, unbeknownst to his family. When it was realized that the 5 year old was missing, the town organized search parties, and he was located the following day - half way up the mountain.  His parents later took him to the drive way of the house, where he finally realized it was not a toy at all  - but an ordinary sized dwelling.

"As the official story goes, and one told often in the countless Roadside America brochures printed throughout the years, young Laurence Gieringer and his brother, Paul, once climbed up to the top of Mount Penn. As they looked down in wonder and amazement at the miniature-like city of Reading below them, nine-year-old Laurence said to his brother, “Say, Paul, wouldn’t it be swell to make little houses the way they appear from here? Future generations could see how things are now!”  Paul agreed.

They told their parents about the idea once they got back home, and seeing how enthusiastic they were about it, their father built them a little workbench in the family’s basement and even gave them some tools to start their new hobby with.  Over time, they got better and better at their craft; however, Paul would eventually grow up and move away, leaving Laurence alone in crafting his beautiful buildings. Nevertheless, by the time he was 14, Laurence had gotten so good at building miniatures, he would later include some of them in his Roadside America attraction.

Laurence would continue his hobby even after he had grown and gotten married. Soon, word got around about his miniature village that he displayed in his living room, and people would come from miles around to see it. "

In 1935, Gieringer’s living room display of miniatures won first prize in a Christmas contest. 

"Originally set up as a Christmas display in the Gieringer home for showing to neighbors and visitors, the miniatures were later exhibited in a Reading fire house and in a local park." - Perry County Times, 1947  

The first such display was set up for six weeks and brought 50,000 visitors. People stopped considering Laurence Gieringer a "nut." Through the depression, the family moved from house to house, yet even when sheriffed and bankrupt, no one took the little models. Roadside America remained in the family's hands. - June 1953, Wichita Falls Times

 In 1938, his work was displayed in the old carousel building at Carsonia  Park [an old trolley line amusement park 1896-1950].

In 1939, Geiringers display was shown at the Worlds Fair in New York.

In 1941, Roadside America Miniature Village opened in the Schlenker Service Station (with tourist cabins) in Hamburg Pa.

"The present Roadside America was established in 1941, a portion of the proceeds still going to charity.  Although wartime gas rationing shattered attendance, a record number of visitors viewed the displays last season and still larger crowds are expected this summer" - The Perry county Times, 1947

 "Less than a 2 hour drive from Bloomsburg is he world's greatest indoor miniature village, officially known as "Roadside America" - Morning Press July 1947

In 1952 A reader of the Philadelphia Inquirer inquired, "can you tell me where the exhibit of Roadside America can be seen?"  the Inquirer replied that it was located in the rear of Schenkler's Service Station, Route 22, four miles west of Hamburg.

The Philadelphia paper further described the display as a "4000 square foot miniature exhibit, which portrays the story of American life from pioneer days to present."

In 1953 Geringer  purchased a former dance hall in Sharlesville Pa.  The Lubbock Avalanche Journal wrote:

"Today Laurence Gieringer is entering upon the final chapter of his dream.  He is finishing a new, larger building to house Roadside America, on their own grounds, with a beautiful gift shop, a small zoo, a pony ride, and a little engine to ride the children around.  It is exactly 50 years after Laurence and his brother (now monsignor and record of the Josephinum College Seminary) first formed their boyhood vision."

In 1954, papers across the nation reported on the P&R Model Mine being added at Roadside America.  The scale model, built 3/16th of an inch to a foot, was of the Locust Summit Central Breaker, "the world's largest".

Sign for Roadside America

The Pennsylvania Dutch Gift Haus, next door to Roadside America

 

"What Gieringer didn’t make by hand, he purchased from various sources, including Britain and France. Most of the figures (mostly cast in lead or plastic) are bonafide antiques and many of the materials Gieringer sourced simply don’t exist anymore. "

 A 1952 Philadelphia Inquirer article said that Gieringer created his miniatures from "weeds, rags, wire, picture glass, tin cans and other scraps."

Gieringer died in 1963, but his family continued to operate the roadside attraction.

In 2020, the display closed, during covid.  For a number of years prior, the number of visitors to the attraction had been dwindling.  Dolores Heinsohn, granddaughter of  Laurence Gieringer, had fond it was becoming financially difficult for the family to continue to maintain the display, and had put it up for sale in 2018 (listed for 2.2 Million dollars), hoping someone else could continue the tradition. 

In January of 2021, more than 1,000 people came from as far away as Texas, to purchase a part of the display, as they  were auctioned off.

A ten foot tall fiberglass Amish couple that sat outside Roadside America was one of the many items sold.  The figures, the  work of Rodman Shutt ,  were purchased by Andrew King, who moved them to his business, Creative Crafts, 125 Reistville Rd, Myerstown, PA 17067.

In November of 2021, an arsonist set fire to the figures, destroying the head on "Amos".  A new head was constructed, and placed on the figure in 2023.  They are now displayed in a wire cage to help prevent further vandalism.

1961 Shamokin News Dispatch

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See more photos in a facebook post here

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C2m8RCua6/

A Souvenier Photo Book can still be purchased on Amazon

https://amzn.to/3NXI8rL

Roadside America is a 7,450 square foot miniature landscape located in Shartlesville, PA. Spanning over 200 years of American history, the massive exhibit created solely by one man, Laurence Gieringer, has stood in its current location since 1953. Completed in 1963 with Gieringer's passing, Roadside America stands as a memorial to this incredibly talented man as well as inspiration for all who pass through the display's doors. Maintained and open to the public year-round, Roadside America has long been considered one of the most incredible pieces of craftsmanship the country has to offer.

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The Berwick Multiplex

  

The 1912-1913 Berwick Multiplex

Twice Multiplex Cars were made in the Valve Factory at Berwick - first in 1912, and again in 1953.  Both times, the cars were little more than prototypes - very few were completed. 

The 1912/13 models were designed and built by engineer Clarence Crispin, at the Multiplex valve company located on 600 Fowler Avenue in Berwick.   Crispin approached the Car and Foundry about producing the cars, but they declined. 

In 1912, Multiplex Manufacturing Company spent two years producing 14 Multiplex Cars.  "The Multiplex was a sporty, upper-priced and large car equipped with a four-cylinder engine, and offered as a Touring, a Roadster, and a Raceabout.

 A prototype "Sports" car with an 85 inches (2,200 mm) wheelbase, weighing in at just 980 pounds (440 kg) and allegedly capable of a top speed of 126 mph (203 km/h) was also built"

The Horseless Age, April 1913

The Multiplex was expensive; $3,125 for the raceabout, $3,175 for the roadster, and $3,600 (equivalent to $120,103 in 2025) for the touring car.  The Prototype sports car had an envisioned price of $4,000.  (That would be roughly $120-130,0000 in todays equivalent)

After completing just 14 cars, the company went back to just making valves.

Until the 1950s, when it decided to try again - but again, only a few were made, this time really only prototypes.  It was a beautiful car - I got to see one myself a few years at an event in Berwick. 

And it wasn't actually made by the valve company.  In 1952 they made it clear that their space may be used, but the company would not be outlaying any money for the venture.

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The Multiplex 186  By Bob Ohl
From :  Car Life, February 1954

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A homely, pale blue car made an auspicious competitive debut at the Floyd Bennett sport car races in New York last September.  Getting off slowly in the LeMans type start, it worked its way through the field of the finest 1,500 cc (91 cubic inch) cars in the East and, by the 40th lap, was led only by an OSCA and the potent Bandini of Jim Pauley.  Trailing were Porsches, MG Specials, and two Siata V8’s, one of which the newcomer had lapped.  

Plans are underway to enter this newly designed car in other competitive events and Henry Fanelli, an experienced sport car driver who piloted the Multiplex at Floyd Bennett, claims it is the finest handling car he has driven.

That Multiplex had a rather crude, handformed aluminum body on an original design chassis fitted with a stock 1,497 cc, Singer engine.  This powerplant, which was held under 4800 rpm in fourth gear, maintained an average speed of slightly under 71 mph for the approximate 100 miles it covered. 

After the mishap, another wheel was installed and the Multiplex was driven 165 miles through the New York City traffic to the factory at Berwick, Pa.  This performance could be envied, for the competitive temperament of the Multiplex appears to be matched by its gentle town and country handling.

The Multiplex 186 is the brainchild of ‘Fritz’ Bingaman, longtime enthusiast of sport cars and former stock car and dirt track driver.  One of this country’s top machine designers, who has spent years in the heavy industry fields, Bingaman has forsaken all other work to concentrate on the development of an aggressive American sport car in the 1,500 cc class.

Chassis layout and suspension were his basic considerations and the body was designed afterward to functionally enclose the real machine hidden underneath.  Bingaman has developed a vehicle designed for roadability and handling qualities, rather than dreaming up a futuristic custom creation and then engineering the needed members underneath the skin. 

He has aimed at that segment of the sport car field which is currently represented on the American scene only by adaptations of Detroit Iron and the now defunct Crosley.  According to Bingaman, the level of U.S. sport car competition has reached the point where a limited-production, American-built automobile in the 1,500 cc category should find a market if it is designed in the true sport car tradition and has proved it has the guts to match imported equivalents. 

Consequently, he found that the Multiplex Manufacturing Company of Berwick, Penna., had the facilities to construct such a car, and is ready to offer limited production of such a model when such action should be warranted.  With the support of Ben and Fred Crispin of the 50-year old concern, the original model was evolved but not without many labor pains.

This first car, subjected to much testing and road work, was the one raced at Floyd Bennett.  Its exceptionally rigid tubular truss type chassis carries a front suspension which, although composed of normal components of ‘A’ frames and leaf springs, is unusual in that the arrangement is a departure from usual Detroit geometry. 

The individual suspension layout, which makes use of Monroe tubular 50/50 shocks, is such that the track doesn’t change and the wheels remain vertical at all times.  The soundness of the theory is proven by the fact that after thousands of miles of testing and racing, the 5.90-15 Goodyear tires show very little wear, and roadability and handling are superb. 

A wheelbase of 85 inches uses a front track of 46 inches and rear of 45 3/8 inches.  Total chassis weight with the Singer engine is 980 pounds.  The center of gravity is 1 3/4 inches above the centerline of the wheels, with a minimum ground clearance of 5 1/2 inches. 

 
The steering was reworked from a standard Ross box giving two turns lock to lock.  A Borg-Warner rear end and transmission also are standard.  This original car with aluminum body scaled 1,925 pounds wet, with weight distribution divided at 52% front, 48% rear.

From the first test run the design proved not only feasible, but practical and promising.  With any newly designed vehicle, trouble spots are to be expected and the Multiplex developed a major problem when power plants were considered.  At first, to stay within the American market, a modified air cooled Harley-Davidson 74 Twin was fitted.

The coupe, which weighs 1,705 pounds, is fitted with quality appointments.  Styling resembles the Cisitalia done by Farina.  Price, with a delivery date of approximately one month after placing an order, is in the $4,000 bracket.  This model, Bingaman says, will have a top speed of 126 mph.  No price has been set on the roadster and the Multiplex company is considering selling the bare chassis, since any engine can be fitted.

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April 3rd 1953 - first sports car model taken to NY for testing

Although few cars were ever produced, there's an abundance of brochures and marketing materials found for them.

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Multiplex 186 Brochure #1 (1953-1954):

The Biggest Little Car In The World

Built By: Multiplex Manufacturing Company, Berwick Pennsylvania

A real sports car designed by a prominent car enthusiast and engineer.  This car can serve the dual purpose of racing and conventional driving.

Among the outstanding features of the “186” are its air cooled twin motor, tubular steel frame design construction and aluminum body.

Custom built, many of the owner’s wishes may be incorporated, in minor changes here and there, to suit particular requirements.

Due to the design of the car, it is light in weight and has superior road-ability and cornering characteristics.  The type of suspension and the low center of gravity are also important factors in obtaining these results, as well as the weight to horsepower ratio, which in the case of the “186” is 18 lbs per horsepower. 

 This is a truly significant first in motor car design, and naturally means economical operation.