The
city of
Lancaster is the county seat and hub of Lancaster County. It has an
interesting history and character. But so do the many smaller towns and
villages spread throughout the county. Towns like
Strasburg,
Bird-in-Hand,
Intercourse, and
Paradise. These villages have retained their own distinctive
character and individuality.
Lancaster, PA, a city with a rich
and intriguing heritage that dates back to colonial times.
Lancaster was named after
Lancashire, England, and its symbol is the red rose, from the house of
Lancashire. In the period from the 1760's through the early 1800's, this
was the largest inland town in America, and it was larger than most
inland English cities as well.
Lancaster was our nation's
capital for one day when the Continental Congress met here in September
1777. The colonial government had withdrawn from the capital in
Philadelphia to escape the approaching British troops, and stopped here
for a day before moving on to York, Pennsylvania.
Penn Square is the hub of
center city Lancaster. The Soldiers And Sailors Monument in the middle
of the square was dedicated on July 4, 1874 to honor the county's
soldiers who had served the armed forces.
One block west of Penn Square
is the Fulton Opera House, America's oldest theater in continuous
operation. Named after inventor Robert Fulton, this structure was built
in 1852. Performers here included the Barrymores, George M. Cohan, Sarah
Bernhardt, and Al Jolson.
The
city of
Equal Housing Opportunity
