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.

The photos of John F Kennedy speaking during the 1960 Presidential campaign visit to Lancaster taken at Lancaster Square are also from the personal archives of Mr.Ganse. Not quite visible in these photographs, but on the stage next to soon to be President Kennedy, is Joseph H. Ganse.

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

The first picture below 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.

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

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.

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 recently been renovated into offices.

The picture below is another view of the east side of the second block of N. Queen St. This is currently the unimproved east side of "Lancaster Square".

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.

This picture below shows the intersection of Queen and Orange, facing west and slightly to the north. The large building is the old YMCA, designed by C. Emlen Urban. The building on the right is the Orange St. side of a once popular shoe store.

The shoe store below at the far right shows the Queen St. side of the same shoe store from the previous picture. This is where the Hess Dept. Store/Bulova building is now. The Grand Theater on the left, and some of the buildings next to it, are now open space as a part of the east side of Lancaster Square. The YMCA (where Wachovia is now) is off the image to the left.

Added to this page as a curiosity, this is a picture of when John F. Kennedy visited downtown Lancaster during his 1960 election campaign. It clearly shows a part of the original facade of the Fulton Bank building, facing south on Penn Square, which has since been covered over with brick.