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330 East Main Street |
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Bomberger House |
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The stately brick house at 330 E. Main was originally built by Mr. Tobias (Toby) Bomberger, who started Annville’s own electric company in 1902. According to information provided by Mr. William Acker, for a period in the 1800’s the local Batdorf family owned the plot of land that begins at 330 East Main and extends well into what is now the south side of the 400 block of East Main Street. When Mr. Batdorf died on April 3, 1883, the land was sold to Mr. H. H. Kreider. On December 28, 1899, Mr. Kreider then sold the plot at 330 to Mr. Bomberger for the sum of $1,500. There is some debate about when the house was actually built, but it was very likely just after the turn of the century. |
This indenture of 1899 notes sale of land at 330 East Main by H.H. Kreider to Tobias Bomberger. |
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In 1933, Toby Bomberger was struck by a vehicle while crossing Main Street and killed. His heirs did not want to keep the house, so in 1934 it was sold to Mr. Byrl Nye for $5,000 cash. Mr. Nye worked for Bethlehem Steel for years and was married to Louise (Page) Nye. Their two daughters were raised in the house: Jeane Louise Nye Keslinky, who now resides in California, and Joanne Elaine Nye, who married William Acker. When Bill and Joanne were married in 1946, the reception was held at the house, during which the ceiling in the living room fell in. Fortunately, it was able to be repaired and the party went on as planned. Mrs. Nye was known for her horticultural prowess, and a wonderful greenhouse in the backyard housed her prize orchids. That greenhouse is now gone and a new garage stands in its place. Joanne died in early 2007. |
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330 East Main with wrap-around porch |
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In the 1940’s, a substantial wrap-around porch deteriorated and was dismantled; a side porch remains. The fireplace was never a working fireplace, but there was always indoor plumbing. 330 E. Main remained in the Nye family for 42 years until Byrl died suddenly, expiring in the backyard in November of 1975. In 1976 the house was sold to the Gacono family, owners of Prudential Gacono Real Estate. When the last of their children moved out in 1984, V. Carl Gacono and his wife Mary Jane moved down the street to a property they owned at 21 W. Main, where they still reside. They sold 330 E. Main to David and Ruth Troxell, who both worked for the Annville school system. The Troxell’s lived in the house for 22 years before selling to Michael and Laura Charelian in April of 2007, who relocated from Los Angeles, California, with their daughter Samantha. Laura is the former Laura Rohrer, who was raised in the Palmyra area. Michael does custom carpentry and remodels. The downstairs consists of a large 13½ x 27-foot living room, a parlor, office, dining room, updated kitchen, small bath and mudroom. The upstairs has a long hallway that parallels the one downstairs, 4 large bedrooms (2 adjoining) and one small bedroom in back. A sixth bedroom was converted into a master bathroom approximately 20 years ago. There is a main staircase in front, and a hidden “maid’s” staircase running down to the kitchen. The house also features 29 beautifully framed 8-foot windows, most with original leaded glass. |
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