Red Lion

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RED LION - Founded 1786, incorporated 1880. Named from a nearby tavern sign. The tavern was named Red Lion after a tavern in England, and was a prominent stopping place for travelers taking the public road from Wrightsville and the Susquehanna across York County and the state of Maryland to the city of Baltimore. The Red Lion Tavern was said to be a characteristic old time public inn, with the picture of a lion painted red in front of the house. Tradition says that the lion was not a voracious one that scared away thirsty visitors, but rather a mild, peaceful sort of fellow, with an inviting look. 

Red Lion, Pennsylvania was also once famous for the many brands of cigars made in the town. In fact, it was the cigar making capital of the world, producing millions of cigars per month. For the annual New Year celebration, Red Lion Borough raises a giant cigar instead of dropping a ball. Red Lion was once responsible for manufacturing roughly 10 percent of the cigars made in the United States of America. However, this is no longer the case as the cigar manufacturing facilities have all moved away, with the last factory closing in 2011.


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Sources and Links:
Best Cigar Prices - Cigar History in Red Lion, Pennsylvania
Red Lion, Pennsylvania - History of Red Lion Borough

Location: Red Lion, PA, USA

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