Lancaster Central Market

Lancaster Central Market was established in 1730 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and remains the nation’s oldest continuously operating market, with the building completed over 100 years later in 1889. In 1730, while city planners were designing Lancaster, 120 square feet were designated in the center of town as a lot to be used as a public market. In 1818 until after World War I, several “curb markets” were established around the town. At the curb markets, local farmers and merchants set up their wagons on the curb of streets to sell produce. During the 1800s, there were around eight markets throughout the city.

The present structure in the market was built by English architect James Warner in 1889 in the Romanesque Revival style. Within five months, the building was completed. It rests on a base of red sandstone and has twin 72-foot towers at the front corners. The inner cathedral-like space opens to the outside via 13 sets of double doors, and the roof is constructed of timber and iron trusses on 20 columns. The floor encompasses around 20,000 square feet. 22 dormer windows near the roof were created as a natural ventilation system meant to draw stale air and odors up from the floor and out of the building.

Since the time of its construction, the building in Lancaster Central Market has only had slight alterations and appears much like the original. In 1960, asphalt shingles replaced the original slate roof, and then again in 1974, during which time interior vestibules were also built around the doorways. During the 1980s, guidelines were enforced for the design of market stands, but were later abandoned in favor of unregulated designs. Many of the stands in Central Market have been part of the same families for generations, descending from the “Plain Sects,” Amish and Mennonite farmers who were once part of a large agricultural community in the city. However, that agricultural market has changed due to modern developments.

Originally, the market was home to an array of fresh produce, meats, poultry, fish, cheeses, dairy, breads and baked goods, ice cream, soups, sandwiches, salads, coffees and teas, crafts, ethnic food, and more. Yet since 1959, over 92,500 acres of farmland in Lancaster have been paved over for retail development and suburban housing. As of 2000, the region was ranked second in the nation in terms of most endangered prime farmland, which was furthered with the increase of large supermarket chains. In the 70s and 80s, Lancaster Central Market stands somewhat shifted away from fresh food and seasonal, regionally grown produce, with some of the families who have owned stands for 50-90 years leaving the market. The change was supplemented by candy, gourmet food, and flower stands. Nevertheless, the market remains in operation, and in 1995 was designated as one of the “Great Public Places” in America.

1. Aleci, Linda. Lancaster Central Market, Community Heritage Partners. Accessed November 4th 2020. https://chpartners.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/lancaster-central-market-report_intro.pdf.
2. Pitts, Joseph R.. Central Market and the Tradition of Market in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 2000, Library of Congress Local Legacies. Accessed November 4th 2020. http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/loc.afc.afc-legacies.200002951/.
3. Lancaster Central Market – Country’s Oldest Farmers’ Market, Lancaster PA. Accessed November 4th 2020. https://lancasterpa.com/shopping/central-market/.
4. Neal, Arthur. "Meet Me at the Market" - The Evolution of a Farmers Market, USDA. April 26th 2019. Accessed November 4th 2020. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/08/07/meet-me-market-evolution-farmers-market.
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