Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, is a quaint and historic town located on the Susquehanna River’s western banks. The town, named for early pioneer John Wright, is famous for the burning of its bridge during the Civil War. It is also home to several other interesting sites such as the Wrightsville Lime Kilns. Here are some things to see and do on a road trip to Wrightsville.
Zimmerman Center for Heritage
In 2019, Lancaster and York Counties were designated as the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, which has its headquarters in the Zimmerman Center for Heritage. In the restored mid-18th century riverfront house, you can learn about the river history and see Susquehannock Indian artifacts and the Susquehanna River Art Collection.
The house and grounds are open to the public, and guided tours are offered on the weekends. The center offers short hikes into Native Lands County Park for you to discover how the Susquehannock culture lived. At the riverside pavilion, you can explore the river’s nature and how it has impacted the communities over the years.
Samuel S. Lewis State Park
For the best views of Wrightsville and the surrounding countryside, Samuel S. Lewis State Park features the 885-foot Mount Pisgah, the highest point in the area. With its mowed grass fields and mature woods, the park offers spectacular panoramic vistas of the Susquehanna River Valley and fertile farmland.
Eating and Drinking
No visit to Wrightsville is complete without sampling some of the local hostelries. The Moon Dancer Winery, Cider House, and Taproom on Klines Run Road offers beautiful surroundings for enjoying the finest Pennsylvania wines, ciders, and craft beers. Take a tour of the vineyards and cellars before relaxing by the great room’s fireplaces or on the extensive patio.
The John Wright Restaurant is housed in a converted riverside silk mill and warehouse on Walnut Street. The glass-enclosed timber dining room offers stunning views of the river at one of its widest points. The restaurant has outdoor seating options and a seasonal pizza patio. It’s very popular, so you are advised to make a reservation in advance.
Burning the Wrightsville Bridge
Adjacent to the John Wright Restaurant’s lawns on Walnut Street is a wayside marker close to the river that describes one of Wrightsville’s most renowned events. The burning of the bridge happened during the Civil War in 1863 when the Confederate Army attempted to clear the bridgehead to open the way to Harrisburg and Philadelphia. As the Union militia drew back on the Columbia side of the river, they burned the bridge. Wrightsville was the furthest north the Confederate troops were able to penetrate.
Wrightsville Lime Kilns
The lime industry played a large role in Wrightsville’s development, and before the Civil War, the town had up to 23 lime kilns. The remains of some of the kilns, which were used to burn limestone to turn it into lime, can be seen on North Front Street.
This small but fascinating town has a wealth of history attached to it. Just strolling the streets among the historic buildings gives you a sense of Wrightsville’s heritage.
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