Lancaster PA Real Estate Blog

I was curious to see what I had posted a year ago, and I found this ~ one of my favorite posts!  I decided to re-blog it, because I had learned so much the first time about C. Emlen Urban, the noted Lancaster architect.

Originally posted January 1, 2007:

C. Emlen Urban was a well-known and well-respected Lancaster native architect from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.  Not only did Urban work in the Lancaster area, but he was also commissioned to work in the surrounding areas.  No mention of Lancaster architecture would be complete without reviewing the importance of what C. Emlen Urban has achieved with regard to shaping the look of Lancaster City.   

His designs were not only varied, but touched on every aspect of Lancaster city life, from commercial buildings and banks, to schools and churches, industrial and hospitals, as well as apartment houses and private residences.  His work bridged the gap between the Victorian Era and Modern Design. 

At the time, his work would have been considered "cosmopolitan".  Today, his work is considered "timeless".   

Born in Conestoga Township in 1863, Urban's earliest design was of the Queen-Anne style Lancaster City Southern Market at the age of 25.  He died in 1939, leaving behind a rich history in his 50+ year career. 

Urban was also commissioned in 1903 to redesign the interior of the Fulton Theatre into a neo-classical style.  This was one of many transformation the Fulton has undergone during it's more than 150 year history.     

Southern Market,  courtesy City of Lancaster

 

One of the other local areas where C. Emlen Urban's works are found is Hershey, PA; where Urban was hired by Milton Hershey to build his personal home, High Point.  He was also responsible for other Milton Hershey construction, including the new Hershey factory, offices and other community buildings.  Milton Hershey hired Urban to build the Hershey Theater.  Still very popular today, the Hershey Theater was built between 1929 and 1933 with opulent materials such as lava rock and several types of marble, in addition to detailed mosaic work -- very common for C. Emlen Urban. 
photo courtesy of Hershey Entertainment

C. Emlen Urban was also commissioned by Franklin & Marshall College to build what is now known as Stager Hall, formerly the Science Building, Administration Building and Stahr Hall.  Construction on this stately Colonial building began in 1900, and it was dedicated in 1902.  Features include cornice and dentil detail, a vertical string course supported by limestone, and two large Palladian windows with keystone accents and recessed arches, a Doric post and lintel with pilasters.   

  
photo courtesy of Franklin & Marshall College        

As a bit of an ironic twist, I found out that the new building-salvage store, BUiLDiNG CHARACTER  located at 342 N. Queen Street in Lancaster City, is operating out of a C. Emlen Urban building.  How ironic that a haven for Lancaster City architectural gems such as beautiful glass doorknobs, entry doors and full entry facades, vintage windows and hardware, door knockers and intricate heating grates, can all be salvaged from the wrecking ball and re-used for generations to come.  A true haven for history and architecture lovers, alike.  I haven't personally been to this establishment yet, but am hoping to visit them soon!

According to the City of Lancaster , below is a list of the buildings C.Emlen Urban designed in Lancaster during his 50 year career:  

Commercial and Office Buildings

• Southern Market, 106 South Queen Street (1888)
• Watt & Shand, 2 East King Street (1898)
• Bausman Building (Place Marie), 12-16 West Orange Street (1906)
• Fulton Market, 607 North Plum Street (1907)
• Fulton Hotel, 637 North Plum Street (1907)
• Beyer Store, 35-37 North Queen Street (1910)
• Reilly Brothers & Raub Building, 44-46 North Queen Street (1910-11)
• Hager Building, 25 West King Street (1910-11)
• Lancaster Trust Company Building, 37-41 North Market Street (1911)
• Kirk Johnson Building, 16-18 West King Street (1911-12)
• DeMuth's Tobacco Shop, 144-116 East King Street (1917 remodeling of 1771 storefront)
• Harold's, 4-6 West King Street (1921)
• Griest Building, 8 North Queen Street (1924-25)

Residential Buildings

• David Rose Mansion, 535 West Chestnut Street (1891)
• Rowhouses, 122-144 College Avenue (1892-93)
• 238 and 240 North Duke Street (1890-96)
• William Wohlsen Mansion, 537 West Chestnut Street (1893-84)
• John B. Oblinger Mansion, 342 North Duke Street (1894) and the
• Oblinger Carriage House, 339 North Christian Street (1894)
• Menno M. Fry House, 624 West Chestnut Street (1894-96)
• Apartment House, 212-212& ½ East King Street (remodeled 1896)
• 623-625 West Chestnut Street (1898)
• Elmer E. Stiegerwalt House, 632 West Chestnut Street (1894-96)
• Davidson Building, 11-17 West Chestnut Street (1898)
• Gunzenhauser Residence, 250 West Orange Street (1909)
• Apartment House, 129 East Lemon Street (1914-15)
• A.B. Rote House, 936 Buchanan Avenue (1926)

Churches

• St. James House (parish house), 119 North Duke Street (1903)
• Grace Lutheran Church, North Queen at East James Street (1906 remodeling)
• Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster, 538 West Chestnut Street (1908)
• St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 14 East Farnum Street (1914)

Industrial Buildings

• S.R. Moss Cigar Factory, 401 North Prince at West Lemon Streets (1896)
• Keppel's Wholesale Confectionery, 323-325 North Queen Street (1913)

Schools

• Strawberry Street School (Reigart School), East Strawberry Street (1895)
• Buehrle School, 426 East Clay Street (1895)
• Wharton School, North Mary at New Streets (1899)
• Stevens High School, North Charlotte at West Chestnut Streets (1904)
• Fulton School, 225 West Orange Street (1916-18)
• Reynolds Junior High School, West Walnut at Nevin Streets (1927-29)

Civic Buildings

• Lancaster Municipal Building (former Post Office), 120 North Duke Street (1891-92)
• Lancaster County Courthouse, East King at North Duke Streets (low front wings added 1923-26)

 

Lancaster history, Lancaster Historical Properties, and Lancaster's special architect, C. Emlen Urban, can also be researched at the Lancaster Historical Society .     

Real Estate and Historic Properties in Lancaster can be found at 
Homes in Lancaster - Real Estate in Lancaster County.