The Hetherington House In Milton PA Was built in 1804, and survived the Milton fire.

The limestone for the house came from Grove's Quarry, across the river near current day Central Oak Heights. The stone was ferried across the river on flat boats at a cost of $40.

According to the Historic Milton Walking Tour, this house was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

From the Milton Walking Tour

Documenting homes used in the Underground Railroad can be difficult, as it was something kept very secret for everyone's protection. But also because years later, many wanted to be affiliated with the good cause, and wanted to believe their ancestors had played a part. Without documented stories and history, it's too hard to know for certain.

In William Switala's Book, The Underground Railroad In Pennsylvania, Milton is shown as a stop on the central route. (My copy of this book has been misplaced, I will need to find another copy to see what the book specifically says about Milton)

The cornice (above) and mantle (below) were both featured in the

Architectural Record, Volumes 49-50, published in 1921

Was There More Than One Hetherington House Built in 1804 in Milton?

Interestingly, this article about the Kocher house in State College states that the fireplaces in their home were rescued from the demolished 1804 Hetherington House. https://www.statecollegehighlands.org/our-fairy-tale-house-2/ The stone house in Milton is still very much standing today, I took the photo at the top of this post in January of 2020. I do not know, however, how much had been done on the inside of the home.

"The other two fireplaces were rescued by Kocher from the 1804 Hetherington house in Milton, PA." "The fireplace in the master bedroom was also restored. It features a wood mantle with no embellishments rescued from the demolished 1804 Hetherington house in Milton, PA. "

About The Owners:
The house was built in 1804 for John Hetherington. John Hetherington died in 1830, when he fell off a boat and drowned in the dam.

John Hetherington Died in July of 1830,

The Miltonian ran his obit under the title

"100 years Ago Today" in July of 1930

The Sunbury Gazette

April 6 1839

Robert Frick

The 1857 Map Of Milton Shows Robert Frick as the owner, making him the likely owner when the house would have been used in the Underground Railroad.

Robert M. Frick was born on December 25, 1820, the son of congressman Henry Frick and wife Catherine, attended common schools; apprenticed at his father’s newspaper, the Milton Miltonian, serving as managing editor from 1843 to 1852; elected to the state Senate, October 1848, served a three-year term through 1851; aligned with the Republican Party in 1856, supporting John C. Fremont; became an “intimate friend” of Simon Cameron; merchant and later cashier of the Milton National Bank, 1858, retaining the position for the rest of his life. He was Treasurer of the Milton School Board, forty years; secretary and treasurer of the Milton Cemetery Company for fifty years. He died on August 19, 1898, interred in Milton’s Upper Cemetery.