Drytown, Staufferstown, Mechanicsburg
Before it was Mechanicsburg, the village was called Drytown, for its scarcity of water, and Staufferstown, for Henry Stauffer. A 1920s state historical marker says the town was named for a settlement of mechanics; tradition has travelers stopping to fix their wagons here after crossing the Susquehanna, though local historians have questioned the story.
The borough was incorporated on April 12, 1828. The Cumberland Valley Railroad, completed in 1837, made it a water stop and drove its growth. Its first brick house went up in 1816 at Main and York Streets.
Roofs on the older houses
The brick houses and storefront buildings near Main Street date largely from the 19th century. Many have gable roofs with chimneys at the ends, some have standing seam metal, and some have low-slope rear sections.
- Gable-end chimneys need careful counter-flashing.
- Standing seam metal should be replaced with matching profiles where appearance matters.
- Low-slope rear roofs need membrane, flashed into the main wall.
See also: Slate and metal roofs
Newer Mechanicsburg neighborhoods
Beyond the borough, surrounding townships filled with postwar and newer subdivisions. Those houses usually need a straightforward asphalt shingle replacement, where ventilation and eave protection are the main decisions.
Borough or township?
Many Mechanicsburg mailing addresses are actually in surrounding townships. Permit questions go to whichever municipality your house is in.
Questions
+Who handles permits for a Mechanicsburg address?
Whichever municipality the house is actually in, which may be the borough or a surrounding township. Pennsylvania generally exempts residential re-roofing from a state permit, but local requirements can apply.
+Can a metal roof on an old brick house be replaced with shingles?
Usually yes, unless local historic rules require matching the original. Many owners keep metal on porches and dormers for the look.