The following comments are taken from "The Laning Wheelwright Shop", published by the HopewellValley Historical Society. The author actually lived in this house at one time and renovated the house.

"The old wheelwright shop and blacksmith shop was built by George Laning about 1826. He was the son of John and Abigail (Salyer) Laning. He was born in 1801 and was married in 1826 to Catherian Landis Runyan, daughter of John and Rebecca (Landis) Runyan." (The Laning Wheelwright Shop)
 
"The Eshelman's lived in the former blacksmith shop. He was the Pennington chief of police, and entire force, for many years. They had three daughters. Two older ones and June, the younger child was close to my age (born around 1930)." (Carol Ehrlich)

The 1910 US Census lists Harry and May Shepherd as the owners of 141 South Main Street. Harry works as a blacksmith. John C. Hill and his wife Matilda are listed as the owners of the house in the 1930 US Census. Clarence and Maude Eshelman were the next owners, from around 1938 until 1973.

The historical marker on the house reads, "Ca. 1837, George Laning Wheelwright Shop." The house appears on the "Beers 1875 Atlas of Mercer County as W.R.S. (Wheelwright Shop).

return to 141 South Main Street
Rev: Jun 9, 2005