1920: WINE MAKING IN CHAMBERSBURG

Stories proliferate about how many old time Italians had their own private wine making equipment. Even today, many vintners proudly bottle their own private brand. Some of the brews will wake you up and put your socks on!

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....I CAN RECALL MY FATHER OWNED A LOT ON S.OLDEN AVE. IN THE 1920'S. HE RAISED GRAPES AND OTHER VEGETABLES AND ENDED UP SELLING IT FOR $100 DURING THE DEPRESSION. I BELIEVE HE HAD A HORSE AND WAGON SOMEWHERE ON THE LOT AND CAN REMEMBER GETTING STUNG BY BEES. I BELIEVE WE WERE LIVING ON WASHINGTON ST. AT THE TIME, ACROSS FROM PALOMBI'S STORE. HE SAVED A LOT OF MONEY RAISING HIS OWN GRAPES AND VEGETABLES IN THOSE DAYS AND HAD BARRELS OF VERY SOUGHT AFTER WINE. BEST REGARDS.

Monday, August 08, 2011

Anonymous said...

Tom - Not only Italian folks made their own wine back in the day - I remember my Mother saying that her father made wine in their home in Chambersburg, too and they were German speaking Austrians! They also grew their own fruits and vegetables as many did. They owned a plot of land in what they called "the sticks." It was actually in the undeveloped area off S. Broad St known as Forrest Valley today. They would walk there each evening from the 'Burg in the growing season to tend the garden and feed the family. Lakeside Girl

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Hi Eleanor:

The neighborhood in which I grew up was also referred to as "the sticks." There were no concrete curbs on Newkirk Avenue until the 1950's. In fact, there are still areas that never got curbing. Forrest Valley was adjacent to us. It was a short walk up Hartley Avenue hill, across So. Olden Avenue and through St. Mary's Cemetery and we were there.

Tom Glover