Join us to build a beautiful & healthy community
The definition of a mainspring is “something that plays a principal part in motivating or maintaining a movement, process or activity.”
That is what we do. This organization catalyzes economic growth and community development. It is from this mainspring that a healthy, vibrant community will flow.
To improve the quality of life in our community through increased economic opportunity.
Mainspring of Ephrata celebrates the unique history, landscape, and blended cultures of Ephrata by cultivating a memorable, multigenerational, and thriving community.
Mainspring of Ephrata is an independent 501(C)3 organization that serves the Borough of Ephrata. Funding comes through an annual investment from its partner, Borough of Ephrata, private donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, and event revenue.
Since 2018, Mainspring of Ephrata has served as the economic and community development organization for the Borough of Ephrata, focusing on helping local businesses grow and attracting new businesses. Through the Community Partnership Opportunities, Mainspring invites local businesses and corporations to join in the effort to grow our economy and build the community.
Businesses understand that their current and future success is directly affected by the economic health of Lancaster County, and, more locally, the Borough of Ephrata. Your contribution helps to fund:
In turn, Mainspring gives back to our Community Partners by connecting them to resources that address businesses’ various needs and advancing marketing goals.
When you choose to support us annually, you reap rewards for your company, such as consistent and comprehensive marketing, positive exposure, and having a committed ally in pursuing your company’s mission. Even more, you are participating in effecting change in the borough and beyond. Your assistance helps us to influence policies and foster growth.
(Click image to enlarge)
In 1848, Pennsylvania senator Joseph Konigmacher built a grand 400-room mineral springs resort hotel on a ridge in Ephrata, dubbing it the Ephrata Mountain Springs Hotel. With sweeping views and “healthful waters,” the mountaintop hotel drew elite guests, like presidents Lincoln, Buchanan and Grant, from major cities, cared for by experienced staff from Philadelphia. At its peak in the 1860s, the grand hotel could accommodate 500 summer visitors. A trolley was built to connect the landmark hotel to downtown Ephrata below. 
Over the decades, the landmark changed hands, serving as a spiritualist camp and the first local hospital before its demolition in the 1990s. The grand presence of the Mountain Springs Hotel shaped Ephrata’s growth and economy. Its iconic architecture stood as a beacon overlooking the town.
As a testament to our heritage and the fragility of historic landmarks, the Mountain Springs Hotel was selected to represent the Community Partnership’s Premiere Level. Once lost, these monuments and their rich history are gone forever, underscoring the vital need for preservation.
Benefits:
In 1868, Isaac G. Sprecher established his hardware store at 24 East Main Street. The store remained in the Sprecher family and operated as a hardware store until the opening of the new millennium, 2000. 
Mainspring placed aspects of this building into a preservation easement so that the historical and architectural features will be preserved into perpetuity. These features include the original tin ceiling, the still-operating 1912 elevator, the front façade and the iconic advertising mural on the outside of the building.
Now serving as home to award-winning brewery, Pour Man’s Brewing Company, the Sprecher building spotlights how intersecting historic preservation with a thriving business catapults economic growth.
In 1889 the three-story brick Mentzer Building was constructed by Allen W. Mentzer. This looming structure was considered “handsome,” according to the January 31, 1890 issue of the Ephrata Review, “…and conceded to be the finest business block along the Reading & Columbia Railroad.” 
The building went through numerous re-inventions over the last 130 years. At any given time, it contained a general store, a grocery store, and retail shops. The upper floors hosted Ephrata Borough Council meetings, classes conducted by Ephrata Borough School District, meetings of the Knights of Columbus, and even served as Kingdom Hall for the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Home now to Scratch Bakes Café and upper-floor apartments, this well-preserved building features unique architectural design and details; most notably, a particular frieze of a man’s face.
Benefits:
This building was erected by the Reading & Columbia Railroad in 1889 and is a fine example of railroad station architecture. The railroad itself, which was directly responsible for the town’s growth and development, was completed in July of 1863, just as the Confederates were invading Gettysburg, PA. 
This railroad brought lumber, coal, building materials, livestock, horses, feed, and many more items to the town. Additionally, the railroad provided transportation to a multitude of individuals, especially clients for the Mountain Springs Hotel.
In the late 1960s, there were plans to demolish the old railroad station, but through the efforts of the Historic Conservation Trust of Ephrata, the building was saved and carefully restored. Today, the building is owned by the Ephrata Borough and serves as home to Mainspring of Ephrata. The area surrounding the station has been beautifully landscaped and is known as the Whistle Stop Plaza.
Benefits:
The Connell Mansion was built in 1868 by Moore Connell. The home is on the National Register of Historic Places, being a fine example of Italianate architecture in an unusual setting. At the time it was built, Ephrata was a rural farming community. 
Connell had five daughters who remained unmarried and lived in the mansion until they passed away. Nora Connell was the last sister to pass away in 1961. She was also the last individual to be buried in God’s Acre Cemetery at the historic Ephrata Cloister.
The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley acquired the Connell Mansion in 1961 and serves today as the Society’s museum.
Benefits:
What we need from you
Mainspring of Ephrata encourages you to ask questions! Please schedule a meeting to review how we can work together to build a more vibrant community.
A Note about In-Kind Donations
Mainspring of Ephrata greatly needs and appreciates in-kind donations, such as free advertising, lighting for an event, or even refreshments for a volunteer appreciation dinner. However, the benefits of each of the Community Partnerships listed in this brochure are only available to those community partners who contribute financially. Our in-kind sponsors will be included in a group listing presented in other various materials and digitally.
Mainspring of Ephrata boasts an active social media presence and website draw. A snapshot of this activity is described below.
Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MainspringofEphrata]:
Instagram [@mainspringofephrata]
Website [https://mainspringofephrata.org/]
Google Business Profile (one month’s activity)
The town of Ephrata boasts a rich history starting with the Ephrata Cloister, a grouping of 18th-century, Germanic structures that housed religious celibates led by Conrad Beissel. As many of these residents eventually married, their descendants quickly established the village of Ephrata, and, by 1871, Ephrata was described as “a well-built country town of about one hundred and twenty families, and very beautifully and healthily located.”
And, we still believe that today. We are a well-built town, beautifully located by the banks of the Cocalico Creek and positioned strategically between Lancaster and Reading. Your annual contribution is building a legacy that our future generations will steward.
Joy Ashley, Executive Director
joy@mainspringofephrata.org
717-721-6196
16 East Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522