Liberty Bond House: the miniature version of the colonial era Penn Square courthouse hiding in Buchanan Park

In September of 1918, students at Thaddeus Stevens College* built this replica of the colonial-era courthouse that once graced the center of Penn Square between 1787 and 1853. * As one astute reader noticed, the plaque at the current Liberty Bond site is likely incorrect about Stevens High School students building the structure as, at the time, it was a girls’ school. They may have meant Thaddeus Stevens College.

Although according to a September 25, 1918, edition of The New Era, L. V. Wright, acting as the contractor, built the structure. Furthermore, Carl W. Drepperd designed it with Lancaster’s favorite architect, C. Emlen Urban drawing up the plans. John Wright and Paul Brown were the painters. The Keystone Planing Mill Co. furnished the millwork and Reilly Bros, & Raub the glassware.

Known as the Liberty Bond House, it was constructed in Penn Square in front of the Watt & Shand building. During World War I and World War II, volunteers sold Liberty Bonds from the building. Every time a bond was sold, they rang a bell which happened to be the original bell from the second Courthouse.

Shortly after each war ended, the Bond House was moved to its current location in Buchanan Park next to Franklin and Marshall College in the shadow of Gallows Hill.

According to a September 24, 1918, edition of The New Era, the Liberty House was designed by Carl W. Drepperd. Lancaster’s favorite architect, C. Emlen Urban drew the plans. L. V. Wright, acting as the contractor, built the structure with John Wright and Paul Brown as the painters. The Keystone Planing Mill Co. furnished the millwork and Reilly Bros, & Raub the glassware.

Over the years, the building has been used as storage for playground and park equipment. When I peeked inside during a recent visit, stage risers were being stored there.

After years of weather and lack of attention, the building fell into disrepair. In 2013, Lancaster’s Loyalty Day Committee led a restoration effort to restore the structure as close to the original as possible.

Planning Your Visit

You can visit the Liberty Bond House today in Buchanan Park near Race Avenue side. Here’s the address: 515 Race Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603.

Other Things to See

While you are at Buchanan Park, take a few minutes to visit Gallows Hill. It’s hard to miss as it’s the high point in the city.

Until 1834 executions were public events, and 15 Lancastrians, including one woman, greeted eternity at the end of the rope in front of a crowd. It was common for these events to turn into an impromptu holiday, drawing thousands of spectators.

In most towns, the gallows were erected at the highest point. For Lancaster, that was a 438-foot high area on the western edge of the city called Gallows Hill. Click here to learn more about Gallows Hill and public execution in Lancaster.

The Original Penn Square Courthouse

Between 1739 and 1853, Penn Square had a courthouse that bore witness to great moments in American history. Click here to learn more about Lancaster’s old Courthouse that inspired this replica.

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Resources

• The Bond House
• Effort underway to revive ‘Bond House’ in Buchanan Park
• The Semi-Weekly New Era: 25 Sep 1918, Wed · Page 1