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When Lancaster County was established on May 10, 1729, it became the prototype for the sixty-three counties to follow. The original three counties, Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester, were created as copies of typical English shires. The frontier conditions of Chester County's backwoods, from which Lancaster was formed, presented knotty problems to the civilized Englishmen. Lancaster County, therefore, was an experiment in pragmatism erected on the periphery of Penn's "Holy Experiment". Pennsylvania's "first western county" would test the genius of English government and political common sense. Not only did the pragmatic experiment succeed, but it has continued to color the life and government of Lancastrians during the last 250 years.
Lancaster County is in the Piedmont region with occasional ridges standing above the rolling hills and limestone plains, the largest of which forms the central part of the county and is drained by the Conestoga River and Pequea Creek. The southern portion of the county rests in the Piedmont uplands which hold deposits of iron, nickel, copper, chrome and silver. It is the easily-eroded limestone soil, however, that gives the county its reputation as the finest agricultural land east of the Mississippi River, and the best non-irrigated farmland in the nation. The best limestone soil, known as Hagerstown or Frederick loam, is the largest connected body of that rich limestone soil in Pennsylvania. As a result, more than seventy-five percent of Lancaster County is farmland, with the majority of farms being family owned. Today, feed grains are most often cultivated, taking the place of leaf tobacco, once more extensively grown for cigars and chewing. In the past, the hard red Triassic rock or sandstone which extends across the northern portion of the county was used for millstones to grind the grain in the numerous grist mills located throughout the area.
Diversification always had been the county's economic salvation, and now a whole new generation of diverse industries was needed, industries like the Rowe Motor Car Co. and other relatively small businesses which settled in the area. Metalworking, automotive parts and small castings plants provided employment for thousands of countians. With the gradual closing of candy, confectionery and cigar-making factories, large plants operated by RCA, Armstrong Cork Co., Raybestos-Manhattan, Sperry-Rand, ITT Grinnell and Kerr Glass Co. became prominent employers. Small foundries were superseded by large castings plants while some modernized businesses continued to produce products that have made Lancaster famous since the eighteenth century: shoes, clothing and hats.
Lancaster County's healthy and resilient economy is built upon the tripod of manufacturing, agriculture and the tourist trade. The county's forty-one townships, eighteen boroughs and countless villages enjoy relative prosperity, even in the worst of times. Lancaster city, after a decline during the 1950 and 1960s, has remodeled the downtown, preserving its heritage and giving the city charm and excitement. This effort differs, however, from those undertaken in many cities-the private sector rather than the federal government has been instrumental in refurbishing the Red Rose City.
A dozen historical societies work harmoniously with the century-old Lancaster County Historical Society in serving the community. The Heritage Center of Lancaster County, a museum of furniture and the decorative arts made by local craftsmen over the centuries, occupies the late eighteenth century city hall. President James Buchanan's restored home, Wheatland, and General Hand's plantation, Rock Ford, are handsome, high quality tourist attractions. The Lancaster County Library, with its county branches, continues the library tradition begun in the mid-eighteenth century. Other cultural-institutions include a remarkably professional symphony orchestra and several musical organizations that undertake choral and operatic productions.
Lancaster County-first western county and forerunner of effective local government creation has set the pace for 250 years in Pennsylvania, thanks to the genius and pride of its diverse citizenry.
County Links
State of Pennsylvania Website
Lancaster County Parks Government Portal
Lancaster County Official Visitors Center
Lancaster County Historical Society
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