Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Located in southern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Lancaster is a venerable old city faced on all sides by land. Primarily known for being a healthcare, and medical tourism center, Lancaster has grown on to become a place for manufacturing industries.

Lancaster has over 90 places of artistic interest. Flooded by an art community, there are also plenty of sites with historic architecture. Certainly a visitor's paradise, it has a lot of places to shop, wine and dine. The city hosts cultural and entertainment events all ayear round.

The transportation system is called the Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA). The transportation is accessible, and people can use it to visit any part of the city. Another transportation service is Park N'Ride, available for office-going and employed people in the city. A popular railway station in Lancaster is AMTRAK. The Keystone service and Pennsylvania trains operate from here. Like the railway station, the Lancaster airport is located to the north of the city.

Visitors are advised to check with the Mayor's Office of Special Events (MOOSE) to know more about events and activities of their interest. More information can be obtained from the MOOSE website. Upcoming events in Lancaster and their details are updated periodically on this website.

Welcome to the city of Lancaster, where you will be able to make just about anything happen. The city also has a bustling nightlife, various places to eat, places to see and can also offer you a great shopping experience. People of any age or any profession will surely find the city exciting and vivacious to their own liking.

Lancaster History

Lancaster's original name is Hickory Town. In the early 1700s, European settlers came here by the hordes. The governor of Pennsylvania declared it as a townstead. This was how Lancaster was known originally - a townstead. Most of Lancaster was owned by Andrew Hamilton, a landlord here. Five hundred acres of land was sanctioned for the development of a layout. Near-perfect geometric shapes were employed into the layout of the landscape. Properties were rectangular shaped, streets were drawn in a straight line, and the center of the town was actually shaped into a square shaped area.

Lancaster was the capital of Pennsylvania for fourteen years, between 1799 and 1813. It later bequeathed its position to Harrisburg. The name change from Hickory Town to Lancaster was effected by a well-respected citizen of Lancaster - John Wright. Since then Hickory Town was instead called Lancaster City.

Red Rose is the symbol of the city so Lancaster is also known as Red Rose City. The connection to the Red Rose is due to Lancaster's name similarity to England's Lancaster. In 1742, Lancaster became a town and later a city.

Lancaster is well-known for its role in the American Revolution. It became the ideal place for revolutionists to store munitions. In the month of September 1777, Lancaster became a refugee center on account of its strategic importance to the American Revolution. It also became a capital of the American colonies. The revolutionary party at that time was the Continental Congress. They were escaping from the British, and set up Lancaster as a strategic planning and munition storage locale.

During those times, a strong need arose for an iron-manufacturing center. So after the rubble of the American Revolution settled, iron manufacturing foundries started sprouting in Lancaster. Not only did it provide employment to people, Lancaster also became known for its production of mechanical products. The Conestoga wagon and the Pennsylvania long rifle were manufactured in Lancaster. The Conestoga wagon was used a lot in the eighteenth century for general goods transport.

A lot of distinguished gentlemen hailed from Lancaster. James Buchanan, the 15th U.S. President was from the community. Edward Hand, the scientist; Robert Fulton, the inventor and intellectual and Thaddeus Stevens, a revolutionary Congress politician also originated from the area.

Lancaster has been featured as an award winner on a number of occasions. Among them is the All-American City Award. Granted by the National Civic Lead, the award recognizes communities where citizens work in harmony to achieve a common goal. Started in 1949, the award has named around six hundred cities as recipients. One among them is Lancaster City.

About Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, PA is a city with multiple neighborhoods. The whole city is united in diversity. One can find different people from different walks of life co-existing in harmony. In Lancaster, culture and lifestyle is celebrated with respect and inclusiveness. The inclusive culture is responsible for the city's diverse demographics. The young, old, and differently-abled live here happily. Parks and recreation centers are a common theme for the city's landscape. The public can use these outdoor avenues to host private parties, and events. Before doing so, a permit from the local authority has to be obtained.

Recreation is a way of life for the people of Lancaster city. The Lancaster Recreation Commission offers a lot of recreation programs at township parks, and school premises. Recreation programs are designed for people of all ages. Some examples of recreational programs are adult educational sports, fitness programs, camps, club gatherings, culture and art workshops, pre-school wellness and welfare centers, and more.

Lancaster is the city of castles, museums, and buildings of architectural heritage. These structures tell of an eventful past, of witches, killers, and to the present day visionaries and industrial revolutionists. Lancaster's City Center is perfect for walking, and all along there are boutique stores, coffee enclaves, and open air eateries.

A place worth mentioning is the Lancaster Castle to give a glimpse into the city's paranormal past. A four dollar entry price is all it takes to experience an out of the world experience in a place that was once habituated by witches. The castle's recognition is in its reputation as being a prison, and a long standing European one till 2011. This Castle was the place where heretic witches were brought to be incarcerated and tortured.

Moving away from witches and on to butterflies, Lancaster's Williamson Park's Butterfly House is an unmistakable place. A walk in this park will reveal one of the most reveling and beautiful species on the planet. For once, it will feel like watching an Alice in Wonderland movie, with splendid fluttering creations criss-crossing the entire area. Apart from the butterfly section, there is also a mammal section. Visitors are entertained to some of the world's most exotic mammals.

Lancaster has plenty of good eat-out places. Some well-known ones are Tapas Restaurant, and Verdes. Acquiring a global dimension, the hotel scene in the city accommodates all type of food. No one goes without a hearty meal in the city. From Mediterranean, to Thai, and to Mexican, food-variety is synonymously connected to the cultural variety of the city.

About Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Lancaster is situated in Lancaster County, located in the southern part of Pennsylvania. Lancaster City is the county seat of this picturesque country. As much as Lancaster, Lancaster County is a touristic center. The Amish people comprise a large part of the population here. Amish have a Dutch-German ancestral lineage. They are known for their plain living standards.

Apart from Amish, there are native tribes in Lancaster County. Some among them are the Shawnee, Susquehannock, and Gawanese tribes. These early settlers accepted European immigration into Lancaster County, and converted to Christianity.

Visitors are engaged with a variety of artistic and cultural displays of interest by the various tribes in Lancaster County, including Amish. These authentic crafts, designs, and architecture are at vivid display all across the county.

Remembering Lancaster County is also remembering the old fashioned villages sprinkled along the countryside. Best visited on a horse-driven cart, the villages offer an insight into a world so unique and refreshing.

Lancaster County is also a place for wander lust. The winding cobble stone ways are an invitation to stroll around the area and experience a different social ecosystem. Shadowed by rolling hills, Amish homes, schools, and restored buildings, the area is replete with elements of sincere simplicity.

The Pennsylvania Dutch is also famous for their delicious indigenous food. Many people come here to experience the taste of Lancaster County at the numerous places of food. At any of the smorgasbords, any type of food can be sampled and eaten. All foods come at affordable rates, and there plenty of sidewalk cafes that serve too.

Apart from strong influences of the Amish, there is more happening here. Theatrical performance, plays, skits, and operas are performed at numerous theaters here. There are five star hotels too, that offer food at prices that are half of what you will pay in the cities.

For the shopaholics, shopping centers with the best designer brands are for sale at bargain prices. Surely, Lancaster County seems to be inexpensively luxurious.