Posts Tagged ‘architecture’
Celebrate Ephrata: Pay a visit to ‘The Grand Lady of Main Street’
The 1923 Ephrata National Bank is one of three Ephrata buildings designed by Lancaster Architect C. Emlen Urban. You can find “The Grand Lady of Main Street” at 31 East Main Street, Ephrata, Pa. In late 1921, The Ephrata National Bank hired C. Emlen Urban to develop plans for a bank building on the former…
Read MoreHow to Uncover the History of Your Home
This article comes courtesy of Daniela Gonzalez from Porch. Every house has a history and a story to tell. Unless your home is brand-new construction, each home carries its unique background and may have some fascinating tales to tell. You might wonder how to trace the history of your home to learn more about it. Each…
Read MoreArchitectural Symbolism – Octagons: Redemption and Restoration
Here’s a fun fact about architectural symbolism and the number eight. The number eight holds profound significance in European Christianity. Church architecture often incorporates design elements that include octagons, especially those dating back to the Colonial period. You might be asking yourself why the number eight is so important. The answer lies in Easter Sunday.…
Read MoreC. Emlen Urban: Kirk Johnson Building on West King Street
For more than 45 years, the prolific Urban created many of the historic landmarks that are fundamental to the beloved character of Lancaster City. In this post, we will examine Urban’s 1911-1912 West King Street structure. This narrow building presents an elegant facade designed by C. Emlen Urban in the French Baroque style during the…
Read MoreHistory of Columbia: 1795 William Wright Mansion
30 South 2nd Street 1795 In 1795, William Wright, financier of the first bridge across the Susquehanna and grandson of one of the founders of the community of Columbia, built a mansion next to his aunt, Susanna Wright’s home, the Wright’s Ferry Mansion. Both of these residences originally faced the Susquehanna River but as the…
Read MoreHidden Treasures: Historic Poole Forge
The history of this beautiful property dates back to the earliest days of our country. It was the second of three forges along the Conestoga River in Caernarvon Township, and the fourth forge constructed in Lancaster County. The story of the owners of Poole Forge is an example of the interrelationships through the marriage of…
Read MoreHistory of Columbia: 1738 Wright’s Ferry Mansion
38 South 2nd Street 1738 Wright’s Ferry Mansion, initially owned by the English Quaker, Susanna Wright, was built in 1738 on the 100-acre tract of land that she had purchased in 1726 when the area was isolated wilderness and still part of Chester County. It would be another three years before Lancaster County was formed.…
Read MoreLancaster Architecture 1719-1927: Queen Anne
Because Lancaster was founded nearly 300 years ago, it is often called a colonial town. However, less than ten percent of the city’s buildings that existed in 1800 now survive. Today, in both city and county, the overall visual character is one of contrast, with the numerous eclectic styles from the long Victorian period, lasting…
Read MoreC. Emlen Urban: West Chestnut Street Mansions
For more than 45 years, the prolific C. Emlen Urban created many of the historic landmarks that are fundamental to the beloved character of Lancaster City. In this post, we will examine Urban’s pair of mansions on West Chestnut Street at 624 and 632. 624 & 632 West Chestnut Street This pair of homes built…
Read MoreHistory of Columbia: Bruner Mansion
226 Cherry Street 1870 After the death of John Wright Jr., land that was part of the Wright Cherry Orchard was divided and sold. One of the former orchard plots was sold to Sarah Jane Bruner and her husband, Abraham. It was on that piece of land that Abraham built a two-and-a-half-story brick Italianate-style residence.…
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