Before the Egyptians built the Pyramids of Giza, Native Americans were constructing giant stone structures on…
Category: Local History
Earliest known photo of the Wrightsville and Columbia Bridge
This is the earliest known photograph of the massive covered bridge that once spanned the Susquehanna…
Artifact: ‘Indian Relics of the Lower Susquehanna Valley Preserved for the Public’ brochure
I was recently made aware of this rare vintage brochure from the 1950s entitled "Indian Relics…
Phoenix Rising: Martic Forge Trestle reopens after devastating 2018 fire
It's been more than four years since an arsonist destroyed the Martic Forge Trestle on Thursday,…
C. Emlen Urban: the Man who Gave Lancaster its Iconic Look
"Build strong and substantial." Many Lancastrians are unaware of the lifelong work of celebrated local architect…
Benjamin Franklin brings the printing press to Lancaster City
Did you know that in 1751 Benjamin Franklin founded the first print shop in Lancaster? Located…
On this Day in History: Union forces burn Wrightsville Bridge to prevent invasion of Lancaster County
On this Day in History June 28, 1863: Union forces burned the Wrightsville Bridge to stop…
Take a trip back in time on Lititz Historical Foundation’s ‘Walking Tour of Main Street’
Founded in 1756, Lititz earned the title of Coolest Small Town in America in 2013. Nine…
The Lion Sleeps Tonight in Lititz Spring Park
Have you visited the napping lion of Lititz Spring Park? The granite statue inspired by the…
Native American Shaft Polisher from Stamans Run in Washington Boro
This large boulder on display at the Blue Rock Heritage Center was removed from Stamans Run…
Enjoy a tour inside of Sickman’s Mill
On Thursday, June 2, I was honored to be a last-minute addition to LancasterHistory's Summertime Picnic…
Water Week: Susquehanna River Fun Facts
With Lancaster Conservancy's annual Water Week festivities beginning today, here are some fun facts about Lancaster…
On this Day in History: Lancaster County is Born!
Happy Birthday, Lancaster County! It was on May 10, 1729, that Lancaster became a county carved…
The Conestoga Area Historical Society Adventure
Celebrate the Conestoga Area Historical Society's opening weekend for the 2022 season with a brand new…
Milanof-Schock Library Book of Secrets Adventure
This brand new Uncharted Lancaster adventure will have you exploring Mount Joy, Marietta, and Maytown as…
Safe Harbor Archives: Native American Discoveries
In the early 1930s, Donald Cadzow led an archaeology team to survey the areas that would…
Art: Occupation of Wrightsville by Lee’s Army, June 28, 1863
A brief skirmish in Wrightsville and the burning of its covered bridge—immortalized in this print by…
The Lower Susquehanna before the dams
I have often wondered what the Lower Susquehanna looked like before the dams at Holtwood (1905)…
Ice Jam: Highest level of flooding ever seen at Safe Harbor—January 29, 1978
On January 29, 1978, a combination of ice and melting snow caused the highest level of…
Ice on the Susquehanna
Ice on the Susquehanna is a femme fatale—mysteriously beautiful and potentially dangerous. More than once, this…