Haines Shoe House – Hellam, Pensylvania
Mahlon Haines, known as the Shoe Wizard, was one of York County’s most colorful citizens. From his first consignment of $127 worth of shoes, he built a shoe sales empire in central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland that included more than 40 stores.
The House he built in 1948 is located on Shoe House Road between the Lincoln Highway (state route 462) and U.S. Route 30. The Shoe House is easily visible from Route 30. The building was modeled after a high-topped work shoe. It is a wood frame structure covered with wire lath and coated with cement stucco. It is 48 feet long, 17 feet wide at the widest part and 25 feet high. The interior consists of five different levels and contains three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room.
Originally the Shoe House was used as a guesthouse. Haines invited elderly couples to spend the weekend. He also let honeymooners stay there.
