Lancaster Tobacco History
Historically, farmland in Lancaster County was used for growing wheat, but as trade was disrupted and prices became unfavorable in the early 1800’s, farmers began looking for an alternative crop to grow. Tobacco was a popular choice as demand for the crop was increasing nationwide and the limestone rich soil in the area proved to be ideal for producing the quality necessary for cigar manufacturing. With tobacco fitting perfectly into the existing crop rotations, Lancaster County quickly became one of the leading producers in the entire state. Farmers certainly had the financial incentive to do so, making $200 to $500 per acre of tobacco compared to the $20 per acre of a standard crop.1 Tobacco became an economic driver for the area, creating jobs and attracting industry from all across the region. Tobacco warehouses were quickly built along the railroad lines to process and distribute the tobacco products. In the 1880’s it was reported that there were 200 tobacco warehouses in Lancaster County, with 100 being within the city.2 Each warehouse employed up to 80 people at a time during the busier parts of the year, providing stable employment for many Lancaster residents. Eventually, about 90% of the state's production would be coming out of Lancaster County.3
Mule team with tobacco wagon in a tobacco field. Photo: Courtesy of LancasterHistory
One of the many tobacco manufacturers in Lancaster: Charles S. Brenneman Leaf Tobacco, Corner of East Walnut Street and North Plum Street, 1920. Photo: Courtesy of LancasterHistory
The most popular type of tobacco grown in Lancaster County was a broad-leaf, filler tobacco, which was used to make cigars.4 When the tobacco reached the warehouse it would be sorted by length, color, and quality and then packed into large crates which were used to press the leaves. The crates would then be stored away to be “sweated” or cured over extended periods of time to ferment the crop for more desirable qualities.5 The warehouses typically contained several stories to divide the processing departments, and contained many windows that allowed natural light into the buildings for better visibility.6 As time progressed, these warehouses became less used for storage and more for the production of cigars.7
German Prisoners of War at work in a Lancaster tobacco warehouse at Lancaster Avenue and Frederick Street, c. 1945. Photo: Courtesy of LancasterHistory
G. H. P. Cigar Factory, Lancaster, c. 1925. Photo: Courtesy of LancasterHistory
In Lancaster City during the late 1800’s, there were manufacturers for cigars, chewing tobacco, cigar boxes, pipe tobacco, and snuff.8 Snuff is one of the oldest tobacco products made using the crop. It can be produced to be a dry powder inhaled through the nose or a wet, moist, cut tobacco that is used orally.9 Unlike other tobacco products, snuff had to be made with tobacco strains that were able to withstand the intensive production process, often containing higher levels of nicotine.
Notes
1 Bennawit, John F. “Lancaster City's Forgotten Tobacco Warehouse Industry.” The Journal of Lancaster County's Historical Society, vol. 120, no. 4, p. 212. Spring 2020.
2 Bennawit, John F. “Lancaster City's Forgotten Tobacco Warehouse Industry.” The Journal of Lancaster County's Historical Society, vol. 120, no. 4, p. 215. Spring 2020.
3 United States, Congress, National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places, Tobacco Buildings in Lancaster City, 1990, p. 7.
4 Bennawit, John F. “Lancaster City's Forgotten Tobacco Warehouse Industry.” The Journal of Lancaster County's Historical Society, vol. 120, no. 4, p. 221. Spring 2020.
5 Bennawit, John F. “Lancaster City's Forgotten Tobacco Warehouse Industry.” The Journal of Lancaster County's Historical Society, vol. 120, no. 4, p. 224. Spring 2020.
6 Bennawit, John F. “Lancaster City's Forgotten Tobacco Warehouse Industry.” The Journal of Lancaster County's Historical Society, vol. 120, no. 4, p. 227. Spring 2020.
7 Bennawit, John F. “Lancaster City's Forgotten Tobacco Warehouse Industry.” The Journal of Lancaster County's Historical Society, vol. 120, no. 4, p. 229. Spring 2020.
8 United States, Congress, National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places, Tobacco Buildings in Lancaster City, 1990, p. 13.
9 Products, Center for Tobacco. “Smokeless Tobacco Products.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/smokeless-tobacco-products-including-dip-snuff-snus-and-chewing-tobacco.
