Haines Shoe House York PA – [Retro Roadmap Video!]

2022: SHOE HOUSE HAS NEW OWNERS! NOW A VRBO you can stay in! https://www.vrbo.com/3038806?unitId=3610850

2019 Update: OK so this is a rough one. Bad news first, and it's heartbreaking. Melanie Schmuck, co-owner of the Shoe House since 2015, unexpectedly passed away at age 38 this year. :-(

The Shoe House IS still open seasonally, so please do go visit. Mel would've loved that.

October 2015:
As our video series winds down I knew we could not end without sharing one of the most unusual gems of the Pennsylvania Roadside - Haines Shoe House in York PA. Meet the new owners and get a glimpse inside this Really Big Shoe!

Exciting news in Retro Roadmap world- in 2015 The Haines Shoe House in York, PA got new owners, and they're awesome folks! They've added a bakery with delicious treats inside the "instep" expanded the hours, and are giving The Shoe lots of love.
Our best to Jeff and Melanie Schmuck who have taken on this adventure, we are so excited for them!

Our original visit from 2009: 

If all goes well I should be getting this boot off of my broken foot tomorrow, so a visit to the Shoe House in Hallam, PA seemed like a good way to commemorate my last limping weekend! This "really big shoe" is visible from Route 30 and if you miss the sign for Shoe House Road this great vintage sign will beckon you to get off the highway.

Built in 1948 for Mahlon Haines who had amassed a fortune selling shoes, the shoe house is quite a sight. 48 feet long and 25 feet high at the top, the interior includes 5 different levels, 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms a kitchen and a living room.

Retro Roadhusband and I were lured off of the highway last summer and enjoyed our tour of the Shoe House very much. However with my boot on this time I didn't want to chance the narrow stairs and opted to chat with current "lady who lives in a shoe" Carleen Farabaugh and her husband Ron. These friendly folks are the 4th owners of The Shoe and spend their weekends from the spring 'til October giving tours and letting folks know about this great local landmark (and keeping the place dolled up with new fencing!)

I won't show you photos of the insides (then why would you take the tour?) but will tell you that I remember being impressed that The Shoe House had so many rooms in it. I also love the intricate stained glass windows, especially the entrance door window with the almost 3D likeness of Maholon Haines the self appointed "Shoe Wizard".

The Shoe House is a great destination for tour groups and often has age ranges from pre-schoolers (asking "where's the old lady and all her children) to senior citizens. So if you have a group who is interested in a tour, this is a great lil destination. Folks of all ages enjoy the scenic surroundings and are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch or buy some hand dipped Hershey's ice cream to enjoy under the trees - and near the Shoe House dog house!