Lancaster county was separated from Chester by the act of 10th May, 1729, being the first county established subsequent to the three original counties of Chester, Bucks, and Philadelphia. Its boundaries then comprised “all the province lying to the northward of Octararo cr., and westward of a line of marked trees running from the north branch of the said Octararo cr. northeasterly to the river Schuylkill.” It has been gradually reduced to its present limits by the establishment of York, Cumberland, Berks, Northumberland, Dauphin, and Lebanon. Length 33 m., breadth 28; area 928 sq. m. Population in 1790, 30,141; in 1800, 43,043; in 1810, 53,927; in 1820, 68,336; in 1830, 70,631; in 1840, 84,203.
The general surface of the county is that of a gently undulating plain, interrupted by a few abrupt elevations. The South mountain, here known as the Conewago hills, forms the northern boundary; to that succeeds a broad belt of red-shale and sandstone. South of this, and occupying the central township, is a wide tract of the finest limestone lands in the state. A few high sandstone ridges, Chiques ridge, and the Welsh mountain, are protruded through the limestone. Another broken sandstone range, composed of Mine ridge, Martick hills, and Turkey hill, crosses south of the limestone; and the southern portion of the county is principally composed of primitive talc-slate, producing rather a sterile soil. On the Susquehanna river, near Peach-bottom ferry, slate is quarried on both sides of the river. The limestone of the “Great valley” of Chester co. extends across the boundary into Sadsbury and Bart townships.
There is perhaps no county in the state possessing such an amount and variety of the sources of natural wealth, and none where these resources have been more industriously developed. The Susquehanna, naturally navigable, and improved on both sides by artificial canals, flows, for 40 miles, along the S. W. boundary of the co. The Conestoga and Pequea creeks, with their numerous branches, drain the center; the other important streams are Conewango and Chiques creeks on the northwest, Conewingo and Octararo creeks on the south and southeast. These streams, with their public improvements, afford a vast amount of water-power.
This co. has long been proverbial for excellent turnpikes and substantial stone bridges. There are turnpikes from Lancaster to Philadelphia—(constructed as early as 1792–94, at an expense of $465,000)—to Harrisburg, to Columbia, to Morgantown, and one from Chester co. through Ephrata to Harrisburg. There are also many excellent common roads, of which the Strasburg road is the most celebrated, having been formerly the great route of communication with the Susquehanna. The Columbia railroad, belonging to the state, passes through Paradise, Lancaster, and Columbia, where it communicates with the main line of Pennsylvania canal, with the tide-water canal to Maryland, and with the railroad to York and Baltimore. Another railroad, owned by a company, runs from Lancaster to Harrisburg. The Conestoga navigation, a series of slack-water pools with dams and locks, extends 18 miles from Reigert’s basin at Lancaster, to Safe Harbor on the Susquehanna. Iron ore is found in several localities; and this co. has been long famous for its iron works, but many of them are now included within the limits of Lebanon co.
Kurtz, it is supposed, established the first iron works in 1726, within the present bounds of Lancaster co. The Grubbs were distinguished for their industry and enterprise; they commenced operations in 1728. Henry William Steigel managed Elizabeth Works for many years, when they were owned by Benezet & Co. of Philadelphia. The Olds were also known as industrious, punctual, and prudent iron-masters; but Robert Coleman, Esq., became the most successful proprietor; to untiring industry and judicious management he united the utmost probity and regularity in his dealings, and to him this county is especially indebted for the celebrity it has acquired from the number and magnitude of its iron works, and the excellence of its manufacture.
Henry William Steigel was the founder of Manheim; he erected glass-works at a considerable expense; but being of a speculative character, he became involved, and his works passed into other hands. A curious house erected by him is still to be seen near Sheafterstown, where it is pointed out to the notice of the passing stranger, as “Steigel’s Folly.”—Lancaster Miscellany.
Copper ore, it is said, has also been found in Mine ridge, where there are the remains of an ancient shaft. These mines, it is supposed, were opened either by French adventurers or by persons from Maryland, about the time of Wm. Penn. Indications of gold were discovered in Chiques ridge, near Columbia, but further search for it has proved delusive; readier modes of obtaining it have been long known among the German farmers.
The census of 1840 enumerates for this co.—11 furnaces, making 6,912 tons of pig metal per year; 14 forges, rolling-mills, &c., making 2,090 tons; men employed, 784; capital invested in iron works, $420,500; 12 fulling-mills, 10 woolen manufactories, 1 cotton manufactory, (near Lancaster city,) 57 tanneries, 102 distilleries, 8 breweries, 9 printing offices, 128 flouring-mills, 135 grist-mills, 106 saw-mills, and 2 oil-mills.
The population of the co. is mainly of German descent; the German language, until within a few years past, was more generally spoken than the English. German thrift and persevering industry are evident in the broad, well-cultivated farms, and substantial stone houses, and still more substantial and spacious stone barns, which meet the eye of the traveler in all parts of the co.
Education, hitherto too much neglected, in consequence of the prevalence of the German language, is becoming an object of more attention; the younger portion of the German community are ambitious to learn and converse in English, and to attend upon English preaching; and the common school law is growing in favor throughout the co.
- Lancaster County Native Americans
- European Settlement in Lancaster County
- Lancaster City Pennsylvania History
- Town Histories of Lancaster County
- The Society of Ephrata
Source
Day, Sherman, Historical collections of the State of Pennsylvania : containing a copious selection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, etc., relating to its history and antiquities, both general and local, with topographical descriptions of every county and all the larger towns in the state, Philadelphia : George W. Gorton, 1843.
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