Photo Tour

Dreibelbis Country Road Ramble

Embark on the Dreibelbis Country Road Ramble, a self-guided journey through Berks County, Pennsylvania, where history and scenery collide. Visit family landmarks like the iconic Dreibelbis Covered Bridge, historic homesteads, and centuries-old churches while soaking in the stunning rural landscapes. Perfect for all ages, this 2.5-3 hour adventure lets you explore at your own pace and reconnect with the rich heritage of the Dreibelbis family. Let’s hit the road and make history come alive! Click here to start!

Jacob B. Dreibelbis Farm

The original log house, built in 1787, was torn down and the handsome brick manor house was built by Joel Dreibelbis in 1868. Some of the logs from the house are reported to have been used to construct the corncrib. The Heisel, little house, or summer kitchen, was recently destroyed by fire and has been rebuilt like the original one. When the original owner, Jacob B. Dreibelbis bought the farm land from his father-in-law, George Merkel, it comprised 800 acres. Much of the family descended from Jacob B. has remained in this part of Berks County.

In 1998, previous owner, G. Parker Dreibelbis needed to sell the farm but did not want the farm to fall to the pressures of building and development which is so common to farms in present day Berks County. In accordance with his wishes, the farm was purchased by Mark J. and Janine R. Dreibelbis to ensure that this would not happen. A nonprofit organization was formed which owns the antiques and artifacts, and manages the farm for educational purposes. The development rights are held in perpetuity by the Berks County Conservancy to ensure the remaining 181 acres remain as pristine, open space farmland. Since 2000, the annual reunion has been held at the farmstead.

Dreibelbis Station Covered Bridge

Manassas Dreibelbis – The bridge was built in 1869 by the great grandson of John Jacob Dreibelbis, Simon H., a stone mason and carpenter who constructed a number of stone-arch and wooden covered bridges. It is 175 feet long and is of Truss construction. In 1976 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Structures.

Manassas Dreibelbis was a promoter to construct a bridge at this site. For, to cross the Maiden Creek to reach Virginville or Lenhartsville, wagons had to go up stream a good distance where a ford was located. He and others petitioned the County Commissioners and, after inspection and study authorized its construction.

Dreibelbis Homestead House

As one looks directly at the house, the smaller portion on the right was probably our immigrants second home, after a log cabin. The larger portion came later. No dates have been established for construction. John Jacob owned 400 acres in Richmond and Rockland Townships and was the largest taxpayer in the area. The farm passed out of the Dreibelbis family in 1848 when it was bought by John M. Shollenberger.

Dreibelbis Family Cemetery

Our family cemetery was completely refurbished by the 1932 reunion committee. Brush and trees were cleared away, the monument set, and the railing installed. Most of the ancestors buried here had no formal grave markers. Many, (most?) colonial cemeteries simply had a field stone at each grave. Unfortunately, the monument contains errors in dates and names. Correcting these mistakes is a goal of your current officers. Research is not complete but birth date of John Jacob is 1709 not 1714, His wife (s) were Christina and Barbara not Mary, The birth date of Abraham’s wife, Anna is 1745, not 1751. Some researchers have different dates for Joseph. When sufficient funds are available from the contributions of Cousins, and after further research, appropriate corrections will be made if possible. According to the records of the Rev. Joseph J. Stoudt, D.D., historian of German families that settled in Berks County, there were buried 11 Indians and 1 slave on this private family cemetery. The “Dreibelbis Private Burial Ground” is located along the Reading Railroad, east of Fleetwood, Pa. within a square of the buildings of the one time John Jacob Dreibelbis Homestead. It can be reached from the road leading to Dryville by turning right unto a gravel driveway immediately after passing through the railroad underpass.

Dreibelbis Homestead Barn

The barn had been repaired by Giorgi Mushroom, current property owner. Unfortunately the barn recently burned down (2006). Giorgi also maintains the lawn areas. Across the road is where the Dreibelbis Spring was located and from which Abraham’s Mill got its power. The volume was such that there were trout in the stream.

Abraham Mill

The mill was part of the Dreibelbis homestead. Water from the Dreibelbis Spring fed the waterwheel. Abraham B. inherited this mill in 1761 when a young man of 12, upon the death of his father, John Jacob. It is not known when he personally assumed operation; however, in colonial times, boys became men at a very early age. His son Abraham R. inherited the mill from his father but later sold it and moved to Columbia County. The mill is now the beautiful home of Mr. And Mrs. John Luckenbill. 

Merkel Homestead

George Merkel, “trusty friend” of John Jacob who was guardian of the Dreibelbis children, ages 2-12, after their father died. The mansion house was built in 1767, six years after the death of John Jacob. his children probably lived here under Mr. Merkel’s guardianship. Jacob B. and martin B. Dreibelbis married daughters of George and Christina (Hill) Merke, Mary Magdalena and Catherine respectively, who were raised here at this farm.

Gustavus’ Homestead

This was the home of the same Jacob B. who owned the farm, but commonly called the Gustavo’s homestead.

Ontelaunee House

Simon Dreibelbis Hotel, “Ontelaunee House.” Simon had a 160 acre farm and was one of the early entrepreneurs of the family. He ran the hotel, served in the Pennsylvania State Senate, owned and operated the Dreibelbis farm and mill at Shoemakersville, and was the contractor who built bridges. He built “our” Dreibelbis Covered Bridge. The last bridge he built was in Lebanon County.

Manassas Dreibelbis

Manassas Dreibelbis owned the land upon which the bridge was built. He operated the buildings seen on the left. It was first a mill to process flax to make linseed oil. After the farmers no longer grew flax, the mill was converted into a clover seed mill, and a little later an apple butter cooker was added. The apple butter and cider pressing business operated until 1962. A saw mill was also operated here.

The mill and small group of houses was called “Dreibelbis Station” because the Lehigh-Slatington Railroad had a station here.

Perry K. Dreibelbis

Veterinary office and home. Dr. Perry’s office in which he kept his well-known horse skeleton which he wired together. In the office building he held choir practice. He also served as postmaster for Dreibelbis Station, Pennsylvania for nineteen years.

Dunkel’s (abandoned) UCC

This church was abandoned when there was a possibility of a large dam being constructed on the Maiden Creek. Dr. Perry Dreibelbis was organist and choir director here. The church cemetery is well maintained and contains the graves of many well-known Dreibelbis relatives, Manassas and Dr. Perry among them.

Zion Cemetery of Perry Township

The cemetery is a separate corporation from the church, thus the name. A cemetery where many of our family members are laid to rest.

Martin Dreibelbis Monument and Grave

Kerchner Home

This house, built ca. 1810-1820, is the Lenhart homestead but has been owned by descendents of Dreibelbis since 1929, three generations. Owner Donald H. Kerchner is descended from two Dreibelbises, Great Grandmother Annie K. J-4-232 and Grandmother, Elizabeth L. Dreibelbis J-4-250.

Dreibelbis Mill

Most recently, three brothers owned the mill and the Dreibelbis Farm. The mill, except for one broken part, is operable. For many years, Lloyd operated the farm and Earl operated the mill until a few years before his death at age eighty-three.

The mill came into the Dreibelbis family in 1868 when Simon (the Dreibelbis bridge builder) purchased it from Enoch Wartzenluft. Simon sold the mill to his son Cleophas S. Dreibelbis (p. 287) whose first wife was Catherine Ann Wartzenluft. The original mill was built of logs and was operated by water power, taken from what is known as Pigeon Creek.  The exact construction date of the original mill is not known, but from records it would appear it was erected in the late 1790’s.  The “miller’s house” is of log construction and was built in 1799.  The dwelling now covered with German siding, is well preserved and obviously well constructed.

The present mill building of brick construction was erected in the early 1850’s.  It too was operated by water power until 1940 when it was converted to diesel power.  The mill has been modernized a number of times, the big change when it was converted from stone milling to the “roller” process.  Cake and pastry flour was produced from local grown soft winter wheat and marketed as family and bakery flour in a fifty mile radius.  Roasted corn meal was also made, using one of the original mill stones.  This was a delicacy among the Pennsylvania German people as a cereal and also used in the making of scrapple.

Descendents of Cleophas will be interested in the Wartzenluft cemetery. The cemetery is totally unkempt and is within a grove of lilac bushes a short distance behind the mill.

St. Peter’s United Church of Christ

Dreibelbis reunions have been held at this church since 1955. It has been closely tied to our family since the late 1700s. Jacob Dreibelbis signed the first church constitution, the Kirchenrecht, in 1809. Joel Dreibelbis and Jacob Dreibelbis signed the second church constitution in 1890. There are over 70 Dreibelbises buried in the cemetery.

The large bell in the steeple of the church was donated by Joel H. Dreibelbis and bears the inscription; “Donated by Joel Dreibelbis to the German Reformed Congregation at St. Peter’s Church Richmond Township in 1904.”

In the narthex of the church hangs a plaque, donated by Dreibelbis Cousins of America, as a bicentennial memorial “To Honor John Jacob Dreibelbis and his descendants. The men and women who have faithfully served their community, state, and nation contributing significantly to the development of the United States of America since 17132. Dedicated in the bicentennial year – 1976.”

Christ (Mertz) Evangelical Lutheran

This church has always been Lutheran. The land was donated by Heinrich Mertz and the first baptisms listed in the church record book were for his six children starting in 1738. The baptisms of two of John Jacob’s children are recorded in the old book with dates of 1751 and 1756. Although these dates coincide with the births of Martin and Elizabeth, their names are not written there.

Dreibelbis School

487 Walnuttown Road. The land for the school was donated by James H. Dreibelbis, a Civil War veteran and was named after him – the custom then, whether donating or selling the land. In 1963, Dreibelbis School was converted into a home by Mr. Iezzi. The present owners, Mr. & Mrs. Ray C. Horning, have lived here for three years and are planning to remove the plaster from the stone walls. Located in Ruscombmanor Township, children who live in this area now attend the Fleetwood Schools. Today, several residents of the area remember attending this one room schoolhouse.