Lancaster: From Central Market to Civil Rights

I don't have much of anything new to say about this week at the historical society. I continued working on the same "County, Commonwealth, Country" project as last Thursday, which I explained in this post. While the work I completed was mostly the same, I did learn some fascinating tidbits about Lancaster. First, I learned all about history of  Central Market off of Lancaster City's Penn Square. The market been in the plans ever since Andrew and James Hamilton designed Lancaster City in 1730. Wow! The current iconic market house was only built in 1889, but Lancastrians have been going to market ever since the very beginning. Today, shoppers can purchase locally-grown produce and meats, as well as enjoy pastries, coffees, and sandwiches. I personally have my eye on the wide array of choices listed under ethnic food. Since LancasterHistory.org is currently located on Penn Square (although we're soon preparing to move back!), Central Market is just a few strides across the street. I regret immensely that I haven't taken advantage of this opportunity on my Tuesday internship days. Now it's almost too cold to brave going outside across the street during my lunch break!

Taken from www.centralmarketlancaster.com

I also learned quite a bit about the Fulton Opera House and it's history. It was built in 1852 on the very foundation of the jail that held the Conestoga Indians in an attempt to protect them from the Paxton Boys rebellion. Unfortunately and very sadly, the Paxton Boys still managed to massacre the remaining Conestogas. Since construction in 1852, the Fulton has gone through many changes. It became the theater we know today in 1963 with the formation of the Fulton Opera House Foundation and renovations. In 1969 it became a National Historic Landmark and is also home to the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra. While looking over the website, I couldn't help but notice that the next show on schedule is Singin' in the Rain. Since that is one of my favorite musicals, I was immediately desperate to think of ideas for purchasing tickets. I don't know if I'll get to go (the Fulton can be a little bit expensive), but I sure wish I could!

Taken from www.thefulton.org; This is a view circa 1900

I also learned a little about the origins of the famous Watt and Shand department store that was located on Penn Square in the city. It opened in 1879 through Peter Watt, Gilbert Thompson, and James Shand. It was first called The New York Store. Any native Lancastrian who is older than I am could probably tell you a story or two that includes Watt and Shand. Although not a native, my own mother purchased her wedding dress there. Unfortunately it closed in 1995. I had never been inside. Today it is the Lancaster County Convention Center and Marriott Hotel with the original facade, but with many more stories added on so that it surpasses the Griest building, once the tallest in Lancaster City.

Taken from www.cityoflancasterpa.com

Finally, I found two more really intriguing stories. The first takes place during Prohibition in 1930. Riekers Brewery, located on West King Street, had to turn to stealthy tactics to keep their business alive. They pumped their beer through hoses that ran through the sewer system. These hoses then came out in a warehouse on Water Street and were emptied into kegs. This process worked until the hoses were discovered by a city worker in 1932. I was completely amazed! For some reason, I never made the connection that the broad topic of Prohibition that all students learn about in their American history classes actually applied to my own romping grounds. So of course this certainly brought a good connection for the "County, Commonwealth, Country" theme.

I was also amazed by the second story (which probably just shows how naive I am). During my middle and high school years, I remember asking my parents and grandparents to tell me what they remember about the Civil Rights movement here in Lancaster or in New York where my mom grew up. They never really had much to tell me. However, this week I learned that there was a Civil Rights incident concerning Rocky Springs pool right here in Lancaster County. Apparently Rocky Springs and two other pools in the county were sued for discrimination. The park still did not allow African Americans to beat the heat in the pool, so a Civil Rights protest ensued in 1963. Eventually the park closed in 1966. I have seen in some places that the protest resulted in the opening of the public pool in Lancaster County Central Park. Yet another example to link the small town world to the big USA themes.

Oh, the things I didn't know about good old Lancaster! It was certainly an adventure that I enjoyed immensely this week. I can't wait to find out what is in store for next week!