Buildings are pieces of art, where each generation gets to have their own take on what is beautiful. Cities are different collections of art that draw from experiences, materials, laws, geographies, people, economic swings, and more.

My wife and explored Lancaster PA (a thread)
Buildings are pieces of art, where each generation gets to have their own take on what is beautiful. Cities are different collections of art that draw from experiences, materials, laws, geographies, people, economic swings, and more.My wife and explored Lancaster PA (a thread)
Buildings are pieces of art, where each generation gets to have their own take on what is beautiful. Cities are different collections of art that draw from experiences, materials, laws, geographies, people, economic swings, and more.My wife and explored Lancaster PA (a thread)
Buildings are pieces of art, where each generation gets to have their own take on what is beautiful. Cities are different collections of art that draw from experiences, materials, laws, geographies, people, economic swings, and more.My wife and explored Lancaster PA (a thread)
Buildings are pieces of art, where each generation gets to have their own take on what is beautiful. Cities are different collections of art that draw from experiences, materials, laws, geographies, people, economic swings, and more.My wife and explored Lancaster PA (a thread)
The city of Lancaster started as a square, with a downtown, and neighborhoods that radiate out in a diamond shape.
The city of Lancaster started as a square, with a downtown, and neighborhoods that radiate out in a diamond shape.
The city of Lancaster started as a square, with a downtown, and neighborhoods that radiate out in a diamond shape.
The city of Lancaster started as a square, with a downtown, and neighborhoods that radiate out in a diamond shape.
As an outsider, I feel like Penn Square is such a great display of what Lancaster is: honoring the past, while still embracing change.
As an outsider, I feel like Penn Square is such a great display of what Lancaster is: honoring the past, while still embracing change.
As an outsider, I feel like Penn Square is such a great display of what Lancaster is: honoring the past, while still embracing change.
As an outsider, I feel like Penn Square is such a great display of what Lancaster is: honoring the past, while still embracing change.
As an outsider, I feel like Penn Square is such a great display of what Lancaster is: honoring the past, while still embracing change.
On one corner is the Central Market, which is the oldest, continuously running public farmers’ market in the country. It shares the corner with the W. W. Griest Building, which was built in 1925. They are wildly different styles, heights, and massing, but they work together.
On one corner is the Central Market, which is the oldest, continuously running public farmers’ market in the country. It shares the corner with the W. W. Griest Building, which was built in 1925. They are wildly different styles, heights, and massing, but they work together.
On one corner is the Central Market, which is the oldest, continuously running public farmers’ market in the country. It shares the corner with the W. W. Griest Building, which was built in 1925. They are wildly different styles, heights, and massing, but they work together.
On one corner is the Central Market, which is the oldest, continuously running public farmers’ market in the country. It shares the corner with the W. W. Griest Building, which was built in 1925. They are wildly different styles, heights, and massing, but they work together.
On one corner is the Central Market, which is the oldest, continuously running public farmers’ market in the country. It shares the corner with the W. W. Griest Building, which was built in 1925. They are wildly different styles, heights, and massing, but they work together.
There is also the vistor's center, which is the old city hall building from the late 1790s. So on one corner, there is a building from the 1790s, the Market House from 1889, and the Griest building from 1925. That's three centuries.
Turn around, and you can see a fourth century. The Lancaster Convention Center was built in 2009 and uses the shell of the old Watt & Shand department store, which looks like it was built in 1880. I don't think that's adaptive reuse, but that's a great way to use the facade.
Turn around, and you can see a fourth century. The Lancaster Convention Center was built in 2009 and uses the shell of the old Watt & Shand department store, which looks like it was built in 1880. I don't think that's adaptive reuse, but that's a great way to use the facade.
Turn around, and you can see a fourth century. The Lancaster Convention Center was built in 2009 and uses the shell of the old Watt & Shand department store, which looks like it was built in 1880. I don't think that's adaptive reuse, but that's a great way to use the facade.
Turn around, and you can see a fourth century. The Lancaster Convention Center was built in 2009 and uses the shell of the old Watt & Shand department store, which looks like it was built in 1880. I don't think that's adaptive reuse, but that's a great way to use the facade.
Like, the tower is nothing special, but it fits in well with the Watt & Shand base, and really looks pretty spectacular. It's the tallest building in Lancaster, but does it look overbearing? I would argue not.
The biggest miss with Penn Square is that it's used as a major thoroughfare for Northbound and Eastbound traffic. Seems like it could be really special if it were a pedestrian-only plaza. It's been closed before.

#PennSquareForPeople

Pic source: https://lancasteronline.com/lanclife/here-are-47-photos-and-drawings-of-penn-square-through-the-years/collection_77a90934-203b-11ea-a25b-4bbcc7ae23be.html#1
The biggest miss with Penn Square is that it's used as a major thoroughfare for Northbound and Eastbound traffic. Seems like it could be really special if it were a pedestrian-only plaza. It's been closed before. #PennSquareForPeoplePic source: https://lancasteronline.com/lanclife/here-are-47-photos-and-drawings-of-penn-square-through-the-years/collection_77a90934-203b-11ea-a25b-4bbcc7ae23be.html#1
The biggest miss with Penn Square is that it's used as a major thoroughfare for Northbound and Eastbound traffic. Seems like it could be really special if it were a pedestrian-only plaza. It's been closed before. #PennSquareForPeoplePic source: https://lancasteronline.com/lanclife/here-are-47-photos-and-drawings-of-penn-square-through-the-years/collection_77a90934-203b-11ea-a25b-4bbcc7ae23be.html#1
The biggest miss with Penn Square is that it's used as a major thoroughfare for Northbound and Eastbound traffic. Seems like it could be really special if it were a pedestrian-only plaza. It's been closed before. #PennSquareForPeoplePic source: https://lancasteronline.com/lanclife/here-are-47-photos-and-drawings-of-penn-square-through-the-years/collection_77a90934-203b-11ea-a25b-4bbcc7ae23be.html#1
The biggest miss with Penn Square is that it's used as a major thoroughfare for Northbound and Eastbound traffic. Seems like it could be really special if it were a pedestrian-only plaza. It's been closed before. #PennSquareForPeoplePic source: https://lancasteronline.com/lanclife/here-are-47-photos-and-drawings-of-penn-square-through-the-years/collection_77a90934-203b-11ea-a25b-4bbcc7ae23be.html#1
Oh course, they have also made their mistakes. Right off Penn Square, they have basically butchered a few city blocks for surface parking and a parking garage. This is what we sacrificed for the sake of storing our vehicles in garages and surface lots.
Oh course, they have also made their mistakes. Right off Penn Square, they have basically butchered a few city blocks for surface parking and a parking garage. This is what we sacrificed for the sake of storing our vehicles in garages and surface lots.
Oh course, they have also made their mistakes. Right off Penn Square, they have basically butchered a few city blocks for surface parking and a parking garage. This is what we sacrificed for the sake of storing our vehicles in garages and surface lots.
Lancaster was not immune from looking at this picture and saying 'we need to get rid of those streetcars clogging up traffic'.

Few places were immune from that.
We took the train to town, and it is curious that the Amtrak Station feels disconnected from the city. Historical satellite imagery from the early 1900s shows that this was the case at that point as well. Maybe because the station was technically just outside the city limits?
We took the train to town, and it is curious that the Amtrak Station feels disconnected from the city. Historical satellite imagery from the early 1900s shows that this was the case at that point as well. Maybe because the station was technically just outside the city limits?
We took the train to town, and it is curious that the Amtrak Station feels disconnected from the city. Historical satellite imagery from the early 1900s shows that this was the case at that point as well. Maybe because the station was technically just outside the city limits?
But there was a track that swung down into the city. I imagine it was for freight, and it has been taken out. Part of it is now a linear park, but parts of it are evidenced by buildings that are angled from the road. But they are perfectly aligned with the track right of way.
But there was a track that swung down into the city. I imagine it was for freight, and it has been taken out. Part of it is now a linear park, but parts of it are evidenced by buildings that are angled from the road. But they are perfectly aligned with the track right of way.
But there was a track that swung down into the city. I imagine it was for freight, and it has been taken out. Part of it is now a linear park, but parts of it are evidenced by buildings that are angled from the road. But they are perfectly aligned with the track right of way.
But there was a track that swung down into the city. I imagine it was for freight, and it has been taken out. Part of it is now a linear park, but parts of it are evidenced by buildings that are angled from the road. But they are perfectly aligned with the track right of way.
But there was a track that swung down into the city. I imagine it was for freight, and it has been taken out. Part of it is now a linear park, but parts of it are evidenced by buildings that are angled from the road. But they are perfectly aligned with the track right of way.
I also love how many different kinds of brick there are in Lancaster. Like, is this a poor mortar job, or was it on purpose? It looks so good, that I have to believe that it was purposeful, but it also looks messy. That's art.
I also love how many different kinds of brick there are in Lancaster. Like, is this a poor mortar job, or was it on purpose? It looks so good, that I have to believe that it was purposeful, but it also looks messy. That's art.
I also love how many different kinds of brick there are in Lancaster. Like, is this a poor mortar job, or was it on purpose? It looks so good, that I have to believe that it was purposeful, but it also looks messy. That's art.
I also love how many different kinds of brick there are in Lancaster. Like, is this a poor mortar job, or was it on purpose? It looks so good, that I have to believe that it was purposeful, but it also looks messy. That's art.
I also love how many different kinds of brick there are in Lancaster. Like, is this a poor mortar job, or was it on purpose? It looks so good, that I have to believe that it was purposeful, but it also looks messy. That's art.
And not just brick!
And not just brick!
And not just brick!
And not just brick!
And not just brick!
They also have a building that looks similar to the Caulker Houses in Fell's Point (Baltimore). Just like in Fell's Point, this small house is dwarfed by a rowhouse next to it that towers over it. Even though this house hasn't been preserved like the caulkers, it's beautiful.
I like focusing on height and massing because I have neighbors that believe that any height is bad, and want to preserve the neighborhood in amber. There is real value in organic growth, & allowing each generation to put their fingerprint on an area. Lancaster has done that well
I also liked how many instances of duplexes and triplexes there were. Frankly, it was Maureen that noticed them more than I did. We passed a $1.2 million mansion, and across the street were these duplexes tastefully included.
I also liked how many instances of duplexes and triplexes there were. Frankly, it was Maureen that noticed them more than I did. We passed a $1.2 million mansion, and across the street were these duplexes tastefully included.
I also liked how many instances of duplexes and triplexes there were. Frankly, it was Maureen that noticed them more than I did. We passed a $1.2 million mansion, and across the street were these duplexes tastefully included.
I also appreciated this building on the Franklin and Marshall campus, which used a historic building, but tastefully added modern touches. I know there are people that would hate this, but I love it. A nod to the historic. Adaptive reuse for the present day.
Frankly, I could go on and on. I have so many pictures. But one of my favorite pictures were these three duplexes, where they each had a pairing of a BLM and gay pride flag. I assume it was coordinated, and I love it so much. More tomorrow.
And we barely scratched the surface! We walked 9 miles of this amazing town today!
Today, we found the amazing intersection of Orange St and Shippen St. You may look at these pictures, and assume they are from different parts of Lancaster, but this is one intersection.

The oldest is from the 1760, and the first mayor lived there. Another is a duplex rental.
Today, we found the amazing intersection of Orange St and Shippen St. You may look at these pictures, and assume they are from different parts of Lancaster, but this is one intersection.The oldest is from the 1760, and the first mayor lived there. Another is a duplex rental.
Today, we found the amazing intersection of Orange St and Shippen St. You may look at these pictures, and assume they are from different parts of Lancaster, but this is one intersection.The oldest is from the 1760, and the first mayor lived there. Another is a duplex rental.
Today, we found the amazing intersection of Orange St and Shippen St. You may look at these pictures, and assume they are from different parts of Lancaster, but this is one intersection.The oldest is from the 1760, and the first mayor lived there. Another is a duplex rental.
Today, we found the amazing intersection of Orange St and Shippen St. You may look at these pictures, and assume they are from different parts of Lancaster, but this is one intersection.The oldest is from the 1760, and the first mayor lived there. Another is a duplex rental.
And.. like... This is just the random beauty we walked past.
And.. like... This is just the random beauty we walked past.
And.. like... This is just the random beauty we walked past.
And.. like... This is just the random beauty we walked past.
And, this is just the riverfront. And historic Rockford.

And my wife trying to get a cool picture. 😎
And, this is just the riverfront. And historic Rockford.And my wife trying to get a cool picture.
And, this is just the riverfront. And historic Rockford.And my wife trying to get a cool picture.
And, this is just the riverfront. And historic Rockford.And my wife trying to get a cool picture.
And, this is just the riverfront. And historic Rockford.And my wife trying to get a cool picture.
I loved this neighborhood, which seemed to take post war, cookie cutter houses and make them special. Each one seemed different.

One side of the street were duplexes, and the other was sfh.
I loved this neighborhood, which seemed to take post war, cookie cutter houses and make them special. Each one seemed different.One side of the street were duplexes, and the other was sfh.
I loved this neighborhood, which seemed to take post war, cookie cutter houses and make them special. Each one seemed different.One side of the street were duplexes, and the other was sfh.
I loved this neighborhood, which seemed to take post war, cookie cutter houses and make them special. Each one seemed different.One side of the street were duplexes, and the other was sfh.
My favorite thing today was the newspaper dispenser that was turned into a free library. I think I need to find one of those to buy.

This was in front of the bike co-op, which is a 501c3 nonprofit. I bet I would like them a lot.
My favorite thing today was the newspaper dispenser that was turned into a free library. I think I need to find one of those to buy.This was in front of the bike co-op, which is a 501c3 nonprofit. I bet I would like them a lot.
My favorite thing today was the newspaper dispenser that was turned into a free library. I think I need to find one of those to buy.This was in front of the bike co-op, which is a 501c3 nonprofit. I bet I would like them a lot.
My favorite thing today was the newspaper dispenser that was turned into a free library. I think I need to find one of those to buy.This was in front of the bike co-op, which is a 501c3 nonprofit. I bet I would like them a lot.
And we came across this protest for Ricardo Munoz, who was shot and killed by Lancaster police while holding a knife. The officer was of course found to be justified, and everyone should move on.

These people celebrated Valentine's day by asking why we don't love Black lives. 😔
I won't link it, but the video of his murder is out there. There is no consent decree in Lancaster to deal with these use of force cases.
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