It’s about time I wrote about my favorite “architectural oddity”—the Shoe House, right outside York, Pa. Anyone who has traveled Route 30 between York and Lancaster has driven right by it, perched there high on the bank next to the highway. But how many get off at the next exit and find their way down 462 to Shoe House Road? My regular readers know that answer--not enough!
When people hear about the Shoe House, they ask three questions: “What is it?” They assume it’s a shoe store. No, it’s a huge shoe—three bedrooms, two baths, a living room and kitchen. Then they ask, “Why is it?” Because Mahlon Haines had a vision. Finally (if they’re smart) they ask, “When can I see it?” The answer to that—most of the year, Wednesdays to Sundays.
The Shoe House has changed hands three times since I’ve lived in York County. The original owner’s granddaughter bought it to get it back in the family, but she had to sell it again. I toured the Shoe many times while Ruth Miller owned it, so much so that I could repeat her tour. It’s under new ownership now; I need to get over there and do their tour, too!
So why does the Shoe House exist? A very enthusiastic York Countian named Mahlon Haines was always looking for a way to advertise his shoe stores. As part of his efforts, he had the Shoe House built in 1948. There were no blueprints (no last!). He lived across the road and supervised construction from his front window. More than once he crossed the road to talk to the builders to have something redone.
When this architectural marvel was finished, Haines made the most of his Shoe. He gave away nights to honeymooning couples or people on their birthdays, complete with a chauffeur and maid. It became famous as a local landmark and although it keeps changing hands, people continue to fall in love with the Shoe.
The front door is in the arch and the tour starts in the toe, in a surprisingly spacious living room. The bedroom is right on the ball of the foot, with a tiled bath behind that. This area was closed off so that any guests had privacy. To get upstairs, visitors must head back toward the heel. On the right as you climb the stairs is the chauffeur’s room, with built-in dresser drawers, under the laces. On the left is the maid’s room, with a bathroom next to it. The sink, however, is in the hallway, Ruth always said, “because the chauffeur and maid weren’t always man and wife” and they might both need to get ready for work at the same time.
The stairs lead to the roof (what do they call the hole where you put your foot?) for a nice view of the treetops, farmland, and Route 30. Ruth said when it was built you could see the Susquehanna River from up there.
And when you come down again, you’re in the heel and the kitchen. One more flight down, into the furnace room and the ice-cream parlor. I own the salt and pepper shakers shaped like the Shoe, which you can buy there, and (flea-market owners, please don’t read this) I collect the small promotional pieces Mahlon Haines gave away, like little mirrors for a purse. We call them “shoe-venirs.”
The Shoe House has been written about for years (for more details and some very cool pictures, go to http://www.agilitynut.com/mim/3.html). I hope it just keeps on kickin’.
The Shoe House
197 Shoe House Road
Hellam, PA 17406
(717) 840-8339
