In the words of Pennsylvania native P!nk, pop-rock singer and performer, “Cover me in Sunshine, Shower me with good times!” It’s finally summer in Pennsylvania and it’s National Ice Cream Month so while you’re out soaking up the sun this summer, be sure to cool down with ice cream from one of Pennsylvania’s many local historic ice cream shops. Many of them hold fond memories for Pennsylvanians and continue to be cornerstones of neighborhoods. Check out what PA SHPO Staff said were some of their favorites!
Sara’s Restaurant
Sara’s Restaurant, Image Source: https://sarasandsallys.com/
Location: 25 Peninsula Dr, Erie, PA 16505
Year Built: 1980
Andrea, our Bureau Director / Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, goes for the Orange Vanilla Twist.
Tastyland
Tastyland, Image Source: https://tastyland66.com/
Location: 1476 Business Route 66, Greensburg, PA 15601
Year Built: 1950
Liz, our Above Ground Environmental Review Specialist, goes for the twist cone with rainbow sprinkles.
C & C CREAMERY
C & C Creamery, Image Source: https://www.timesherald.com/2023/08/25/community-shows-support-for-c-and-c-creamery/
C & C Creamery, Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/AbandonedEasternPA/posts/c-c-creamery-in-roxborough-philadelphia-ca-unknown/557350393187422/
Location: 5461 Ridge Ave Philadelphia, PA 19128
Year Built: 1955
Nika, our PA Archaeology Site Survey (PASS) Coordinator, goes for the Coffee topped with Heath Bar Crunch.
Turtle Twist
Turtle Twist, Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/p/Turtle-Twist-100063838359252/
Location: 1310 State Route 980 Canonsburg, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 15317
Year Built: 1980s
Jen, our National Register Supervisor, goes for the Turtle Sundae.
Cedar Run General Store
Cedar Run General Store, Image Source: https://cedar-run-general-store.wheree.com/
Location: 284 Beulah Land Rd, Cedar Run, PA 17727
Year Built: 1895
Jenavieve, one of our PHMC Summer Interns, goes for the Caramel Praline Turtle or the Limoncello.
Crystal Spring Farm
Crystal Spring Farm, Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/p/Crystal-Spring-Farm-100057250608425/
Location: 3550 Bellview Rd, Schnecksville, PA 18078
Year Built: 1975
David, one of our archaeology curators, goes for the Peanut Butter Ripple.
Valley Drive Inn Tastee Freeze
Valley Drive Inn Tastee Freeze, Image Source: Google Maps
Location: 59 Ringtown Boulevard Shenandoah, PA, 17976
Year Built: mid-1950s
Marissa, our National Register Reviewer, as a kid, went for the Watermelon Garbage Can. (Although now it may be way too sweet for her!) It is an interesting treat made of a watermelon slushie with vanilla soft serve topped with rainbow sprinkles (but the locals call them jimmies). Her other favorites were a teaberry ice cream cone with rainbow jimmies or a simple twist soft serve cone dipped in warm chocolate and rolled in sprinkles. The chocolate coating hardens to a crunchy shell.
Forry’s Drive-In
Forry’s Drive-In, Image Source: https://sharinghorizons.com/forrys-drive-in-in-wellsville-pennsylvania/
Location: 910 Alpine Rd, Wellsville, PA 17365
Year Built: 1960
Chloe, one of our PHMC Summer Interns, goes for a cheeseburger and a vanilla soft serve dish with rainbow sprinkles!
Longacres Dairy
Longacres Dairy, Image Source: Google
Location: 1445 PA-100, Barto, PA 19504
Year Built: 1942
Alli, our Historical Marker Coordinator, goes for a cup of coffee ice cream (the CREAMIEST). She also says waffle cones are also amazing!
John’s Water Ice
John’s Water Ice, Image Source: https://johnswaterice.com/location/christian-st-philadelphia-pa/
Location: 701 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Year Built: 1945
Arden, our National Register Reviewer, goes for the Mango and Vanilla Gellati
The Jigger Shop
The Jigger Shop, Image Source: https://jiggershop.com/
The Jigger Shop, Image Source: https://jiggershop.com/
Location: 202 Gettysburg Ave, Mt Gretna, PA 17064
Year Built: 1895
Nate, one of our PHMC Summer Interns, goes for a hot fudge sundae.
Looking for More?
Looking for even more of Pennsylvania Ice Cream? Check out this article by Visit PA, “Pennsylvania’s Scooped Ice Cream Trail” with an interactive map to find participating locations across the state, then scroll down to learn more about each PA Preferred® creamery and what makes them worth the trip.
Do you frequent one of these ice cream shops? Comment below your favorite flavor of ice cream. Do you have a historic ice cream shop in your neighborhood? Comment below the name of the shop and a picture (if you have one).
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