Red Lion, Pennsylvania

You're about to cross the Susquehanna River on a bridge with a dramatic past. This vital link between Columbia and Wrightsville has been destroyed and rebuilt more than once. Before the current Veterans Memorial Bridge,…

Imagine the roar of a furnace and the clang of hammers – this quiet spot was once a bustling center of iron production! In the mid-1800s, Codorus Forge, also known as Hellem Forge, was a key player in Pennsylvania's…

Pull over for a moment and imagine this peaceful landscape as the site of a tragic end. This is Conestoga Town, once home to the Susquehannock people, also known as the Conestoga. In 1763, a group of settlers, known as…

Descend into the past at this 1854 iron mine, where miners toiled to extract the raw materials of industry. The York Iron Company Mine first opened in 1854. Additional openings were dug in 1876 and 1877 to expand the…

This unassuming train station in New Freedom whispers tales of a time when railroads were the lifeblood of the nation. Built around 1870 by the Northern Central Railway, this station served as a crucial link connecting…

Imagine living right here along the Conestoga River centuries ago! Archaeological digs at the Roberts Farm Site have revealed clues about early life in this area. This farm site, officially known as 36LA1, sits high…

You are crossing the most famous border in American history, and it was drawn to settle an argument between two rich families. In the 1600s, the Calvert family held the charter for Maryland and the Penn family held…

Pull over here for a minute. This is Cameron Estate, and it was once a hotbed of political activity. Simon Cameron, Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of War, called this place home. From 1872 to 1959, the Cameron family used…

Step back in time at this historic hotel and brewery complex – you can almost hear the echoes of laughter and clinking glasses from a bygone era. The Central Hotel and Bube's Brewery, stand as a testament to Mount Joy's…

Ever wondered what life was like for early American settlers? Ivory Mills isn't just a picturesque spot; it's a remarkably preserved window into 19th-century industry and rural living. Around 1818, a three-story stone…

This unassuming bridge tells a tale of rural railroading and how it connected communities. The Muddy Creek Bridge was built around 1909 by the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, often called the "Ma & Pa." It allowed…

A piece of Lancaster County history went up in flames right here. The Risser's Mill Covered Bridge, also known as Horst's Mill Covered Bridge, once gracefully spanned Little Chickie's Creek. On 2002, tragedy struck. An…

Pull over near Wheatland and you're standing near the epicenter of some of the most difficult decisions leading up to the Civil War. This was the home of James Buchanan, the 15th U.S. President. Buchanan purchased this…

Hold on a second... You're passing a spot that once housed a company whose watches were so precise, they literally timed America's progress. From 1892 to 1980, this was the Hamilton Watch Company's headquarters. They…

Ever wonder what kind of history brews within a college campus? Franklin & Marshall is a great example, a place that has been shaping minds since before the United States even had a president! Founded in 1787 as…

Prepare to be transported back in time at the Fulton Opera House, a true gem of American theater history. Originally built on the site of a Lancaster jail, the Fulton opened its doors in 1852. It was named in honor of…

This isn't just another pretty town square – it's a place where history was literally carved in stone to remember local heroes. Dedicated on July 4th, 1874, this Soldiers and Sailors Monument was built to honor the…

Site of America's worst commercial nuclear accident on March 28, 1979, which caused a partial meltdown of reactor Unit 2.

Imagine this: a tobacco warehouse transformed into a haven for art lovers. That's the Lancaster Arts Hotel! Back in 1881, Arnold Falk, an entrepreneur from New York, built this very structure to store Lancaster's…

Prepare to step into the world of a true American original! This unassuming building is the Demuth Museum, the former home and studio of Charles Demuth, a pioneering figure in American Modernist painting. Born in…

Step back in time as you enter Lancaster's Historic District, a living museum of American architecture and history. This area, also known as Old Town Lancaster, earned its place on the National Register of Historic…

These aren't just buildings; they're silent witnesses to Lancaster's evolution! This historic district reflects over two centuries of growth, from its early days as a market town to its role in shaping Pennsylvania. The…

Imagine a place where the aroma of freshly baked bread mingles with the scent of ripe fruits and savory meats - that's Lancaster's Central Market, a cornerstone of this community for generations. Lancaster Central…

The oldest and largest Amish settlement in America, where roughly 40,000 Amish live and farm without modern technology.

Imagine standing where early inhabitants of Pennsylvania once buried their dead. This is the Park Site, also known as 36LA96, an archaeological site south of Lancaster. In 1979, archaeologists excavated this site,…

Pull over here for a minute. This unassuming brick complex was once at the heart of Lancaster's booming cigar industry. In the late 1800s, this area became a hub for tobacco warehouses and cigar factories. The A. B.…

Step back in time at the Hans Herr House, a rare survivor from Pennsylvania's early German settlers! This isn't just an old building; it's the oldest dwelling in Lancaster County and the oldest Mennonite meetinghouse in…

This unassuming brick building stands as a reminder that Lancaster was once a major player in the Pennsylvania tobacco industry. Built around 1880, the Edward McGovern Tobacco Warehouse stored locally grown tobacco…