During the 1700s, no one ever accused Lancaster’s early constables of being soft on crime. Records…
Category: Local History
Haunted Lancaster: The Ghost of General Reynolds
Some believe General John Reynolds' spirit never found peace. As such, his ghost wanders the streets…
The day Lancaster was the nation’s capital
September 27 On this day in 1777, Lancaster became the nation’s capital when fourteen members of…
Was Lampeter named after handicapped tavern keeper Peter Yeordya?
Legend has it Lampeter was named after an early resident and disabled tavern keeper, Peter Yeordya.…
The Grape: Secret meeting place for Lancaster’s Sons of Liberty
If you are looking for the epicenter for the spirit of independence in Lancaster County, look…
The Great Indian Treaty of 1744
In June of 1744, scores of Native Americans began to gather outside of Lancaster in a…
The Conestoga Horse: The first outstanding horse to be developed in America
Welcome to a chapter of American history where horsepower wasn't just a metaphor but a magnificent…
How Columbia and Millersville nearly became the county seat for Lancaster
Lancaster County's first courthouse was not at Penn Square. It wasn't even in Lancaster City.
Tschantz Graveyard: The final resting place for several of Lancaster’s first settlers and one of the County’s oldest cemeteries
The First Mennonite Settlement in Lancaster County In 1710, the first large-scale European settlement in what…
Conestoga Wagon: Century Strong Ship of Inland Commerce
The Conestoga wagon, as known as "the ship of inland commerce," was used for over a…
Haunted treasure lies hidden in Safe Harbor; chaotic spoils of the French & Indian War
In 1870, treasure hunters descended into Safe Harbor. Under the cover of darkness, they searched for…
The Great Ice Flood of 1904 that erased Lancaster County towns from the map
In 1904 an ice flood destroyed towns along the Susquehanna. Flooding far exceeded what occurred in…
Was Lancaster County formed to rid Chester of its “thieves, vagabonds, and ill people”?
Infested with Thieves, Vagabonds, and Ill People In 1728, residents living in the backwoods of Chester…
How did this Martic Forge property end up with 300 millstones? Learn the history of Flory’s Mill.
After years of driving past this brick wall with embedded millstones, I wondered two things. Why are…
Along the Susquehanna at the mouth of the Conestoga River lies a village born in fire but died from ice. Survey the razed company ghost town of Safe Harbor.
There are three Safe Harbors: the Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Dam, the 1930s Village at Safe Harbor, and…
Covering a wooden bridge has nothing to do with the horses that use them. Learn why when you visit Lancaster’s second-longest.
1,500 covered bridges use to cross the streams and rivers of Pennsylvania. Today 200 remain and…
100 years ago Lancaster’s trolleys transported 12 million people annually. Today almost all signs are gone. Join the search for the lost Pequea Trolley
Beginning in the late 1800s, a system of trolleys ran all over Lancaster County. One line…
Lancaster County once boasted nearly 500 of these silent stone sentinels. Today fewer than 20 percent remains. Unlock the mystery of these ancient masonry guardians.
Drive the back roads of Lancaster County, and you may have noticed small medieval-looking fortresses embedded…
Side Quest: Revolutionary conspirator and future failed president. Behold the East Orange Street house that sheltered both men.
Would you believe this stately 1749 colonial style mansion in Lancaster City sheltered both a Revolutionary…