These photos were taken sometime in the 1960's by Joseph H. Ganse (1906-1976). Joe Ganse lived his entire life in Lancaster city and devoted countless hours to civic, political, government, and community activities. He and his wife Elizabeth (Libby) Ganse lived at 642 Fourth Street. He was actively involved in city and county democrat politics. He also served as city zoning officer during the Monaghan administrations.

It was during his time as zoning officer that he took his camera loaded with Kodachrome film and snapped the color slides which you see here. He loved the city and wanted to record for prosperity what Lancaster was losing. These photos, rediscovered by his grandson, and shared with the permission of his three children (all of whom still live in Lancaster), are offered so that others can see what historic downtown Lancaster city loses when we destroy beautiful structures such as the Watt and Shand building.

To view the full-size images, click on the pictures below.

The first picture shows the NE corner of Queen and Chestnut, looking north, showing the Queen St. side of the original Hotel Brunswick, designed by C. Emlen Urban.

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The second picture below shows the east side of N. Queen St., where the east side of "Lancaster Square" is today.

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This picture was taken facing due south, from in front of the old Snavely & Dosch auto parts store at 212 N. Queen St. (since renovated into offices). The building next to it was the Hotel Buchanan, a run-down place where people went that had no where else to stay. On the corner of N. Queen St. and Chestnut St. was the Esso (later Exxon) gas station. (Both the former hotel and gas station properties are owned by Lancaster Newspapers.) At the extreme far left of the picture is the edge of the original Brunswick Hotel at N. Queen St. and Chestnut St.

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The picture below shows the rear of the original Brunswick Hotel, facing northwest. The photographer appears to have been standing on E. Marion St. near N. Christian St., behind the Lancaster City Hall.

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The picture below was taken from very close to the same place that the picture immediately above this one was, facing in the opposite direction - southeast. This is the Marion St. side of the Lancaster City Hall. A picture taken today at this location would look very much the same.

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The picture below was taken from the first block of West Chestnut St., facing due south, or approximately where the Chestnut St. entrance to the Lancaster County office building at 150 N. Queen St. is today. Obviously this was taken after significant demolition had already been performed. The very large building in the background appears to be the rear of the YMCA.

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The picture below is another view of the original Hotel Brunswick. This picture was taken from in front of the former Snaveley & Dosch building. which was since extensively renovated, and is still standing next to the Blind Association. The view is to the south and slightly to the east.

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Below is another view the Hotel Brunswick showing the Queen St. side, facing due east. The building at the left is the old police station, which has since been renovated into offices.

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The picture below is another view of the east side of the second block of N. Queen St. Where these buildings stood is currently the east side of "Lancaster Square".

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This picture below shows the west side of the second block of N. Queen St., facing northwest toward Chestnut St. This is where Binn's Park is today.

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