History
THE RED RABBIT was founded in 1964 by Sam & Maggie Snyder.
The Snyders were committed to quality food and on-site working management.
After many hours of research, the site of Mr. Snyder’s new restaurant was found. It was a plot of land on which the Distlefink Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop was located just above the Clark’s Ferry Bridge on Rte. 322.
Aerial view of the Distlefink.
Sam Snyder and his daughter, Cindy, in July of 1966
July 1968
Because the ‘Rabbit’ has no inside seating, it is closed during the winter months. This photo taken prior to 1972.
June 1972 - Hurricane Agnes ravaged the East Coast
‘Agnes’ was one of the most costly natural disasters in Pennsylvania history. The heaviest reported 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Harrisburg, where 12.53 inches fell between 8 pm on June 21st through 8 pm on June 22nd. This storm caused major flooding throughout the Susquehanna River Basin. The ‘Rabbit’ is situated on a peninsula between the Juniata River and the Susquehanna River. The Susquehanna crested 16 feet above flood stage (a record that still stands today) and the Juniata crested 12 feet above flood stage.
In 1988, the Snyders retired and the business was placed into the hands of their son-in-law and daughter, Sam & Cindy Berger. The Bergers were involved until retiring at the end of 2016. It is now on the Third Generation as their son began operating the Red Rabbit in 2017
Sam & Cindy Berger 1990
pencil sketch by
Cindy M Berger
Thank you for browsing the history page of the Red Rabbit Drive In.
In memory of
the 2nd Generation
Family Owner
Sam Berger.
Sam, at age 78, peacefully passed from this earth to his eternal home on February 25, 2023.
Sam along with his wife Cindy operated the Red Rabbit beginning in 1984 and then as Owner/Operators from 1988 until 2017 when the mantle was passed on to the 3rd Generation.
He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
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