Central Market

Central Market is the oldest publicly owned, continually operated market in the United States, representing a Lancaster tradition since 1730. The red brick building was constructed in 1889 by John Berger in the Romanesque style and features two towers. It was designed for light, ventilation, and cleaning, with a straightforward arrangement of stalls and aisles. On July 12, 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior declared Central Market a National Shrine. For many years, curb markets flourished because of an overflow of merchants and high rent prices in the market house. Produce was sold from the rear of market wagons backed up to the curb along King, Duke, Vine, and Prince Streets, and little boys earned a few pennies toting heavy baskets in their express wagons. Curb markets ended on January 1, 1927, because increased auto traffic threatened their safety. Today, people still come on Tuesday and Friday to buy fresh produce from Lancaster County farmers, including corn, celery, apple butter, shoofly pie, schmierkase cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and cider. William Henry, a gunsmith in charge of purchase and repair of all arms for the Continental Army and a delegate to the Continental Congress, lived in a brick home near the present market.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania · United States