Jewish Amer. Society for Historic Preservation

Joseph Simon

1712-1804  

Jewish Pioneer, Indian Trader, Merchant and Religious community leader when Lancaster, Pa. was the frontier of America.   Replete with Bemah,  Ark and Torahs, Simon's home became the synagogue and a magnet for the Jews on the frontier of Pennsylvania.

The marker text reads: Jewish pioneer and merchant, Simon played a significant role in the development of central and western PA.  He participated in expeditions as far as the Mississippi, and helped establish Lancaster as a center for exploration, trade & settlement.  During the American Revolution, Simon supplied the Continental Army with arms and equipment. Simon's home near here was one of the first centers of Jewish worship west of Philadelphia.