The Eavesdropper’s House: Lancaster’s Oldest Townhouse is For Sale

How often do you get the chance to own a piece of Lancaster history? At 121 East King Street, the city’s oldest townhouse with a datestone has just come on the market. Built in 1762 by William and Elizabeth Bausman, this Georgian sandstone home is not only a rare survivor of colonial Lancaster but also the only building in the county with a carved “eavesdropper” peering down from its roofline. Price tag: $2,195,000. Value: priceless, if you love history.

A Stone Witness Since 1762

Step back to 1762. German immigrant William Bausman and his wife Elizabeth erected this striking cut-sandstone townhouse just one block from Penn Square. Its five-bay Georgian façade stood out in a city already filling with red brick. Most datestones from this period record only the husband’s name, but this one proudly preserves both William and Elizabeth. Their names still greet passersby, a testament to partnership in both marriage and enterprise.

The Bausman House has always been more than just a dwelling. William rose to become Lancaster’s Chief Burgess, roughly equivalent to mayor, during the Revolution. He operated an inn next door, supplied food to the Continental Army, and served as barracks master for prisoners of war. The walls of this house stood through a turbulent age of independence.

The Eavesdropper

But it is the house’s most curious feature that captures imaginations today: the Eavesdropper. Look up to the west corner of the roofline and you will spot him, a carved stone face with a knowing grin. Long before air conditioning, windows stood open to let in summer air. The Eavesdropper was a playful yet pointed reminder that conversations on the street could be overheard.

The word “eavesdropper” itself dates to Old English, literally meaning the place where rain drips from the roof. By the 1500s, carved faces had appeared under eaves in Europe as warnings against gossip. Henry VIII had them installed at Hampton Court Palace to silence loose tongues. Lancaster has only one such figure, and it lives here at 121 East King. His twin once looked down from the opposite corner but was removed during renovations. Today, this solitary guardian continues to watch and listen, the only eavesdropper in Lancaster County.

From Hershey to Today

The house did not remain frozen in the 18th century. In the early 1900s, famed Lancaster architect C. Emlen Urban redesigned the primary office space in hopes of enticing Milton Hershey to return his confectionery business downtown. That layer of history makes the property not only a colonial landmark but also a link to Lancaster’s industrial age.

Today, the building is a blend of history and modern convenience. It’s 9,180 square feet, including 5,500 square feet of commercial space on the lower floors and a magnificently restored 3,500-square-foot residence above. A full renovation in 2015–2016 introduced soaring ceilings, open layouts, and metropolitan finishes, while preserving the character of the 1762 datestone and sandstone walls. To the rear, a 14-car garage with an EV charger adds a decidedly 21st-century touch.

Zillow Listing

Zillow lists the property with three bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a price of $2,195,000. Step inside and you will find a space unlike any other in the city. From the datestone to the restored interiors, every corner whispers history. Walk outside and you are only one block from Penn Square, Lancaster’s historic heart.

Whether you are drawn by its colonial origins, its connection to Revolutionary patriot William Bausman, its link to architect C. Emlen Urban and Milton Hershey, or simply the sly smile of its ever-watchful Eavesdropper, this is more than real estate. It is a chance to own one of Lancaster’s most curious and storied landmarks.

So if you have ever wanted to live with history, look no further. The Eavesdropper is still listening. Click here for the complete Zillow listing.

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