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 is of the YMCA at N. Queen St. and Orange St. The photographer was standing near the southeast corner of the intersection, facing west-northwest. The small building in img002.jpg is on the far left. (Note that this building was designed by architect C. Emlen Urban, as was the original Brunswick, the Watt & Shand building, the Griest Building, and the Southern Market.)

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The picture below shows the building immediately next to the YMCA along N. Queen St.; this same building is partially visible on the left of city11.jpg. This is now a part of the site of the Wachovia bank building at N. Queen St. and Orange St.

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The image below was taken at the corner of N. Queen St. and Chestnut St., facing north. On the left is the Esso (later Exxon) station, with the Hotel Buchanan clearly visible behind it. Barely visible is the Snavely & Dosch sign. On the right is the former Empire TV & Appliance building, now owned by the Lancaster Museum of Art. The building behind it is still standing, but has since been renovated.

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This picture below was taken from the intersection of W. Orange St. and N. Market St., facing northeast. The large building is the YMCA; the intersection in the background is N. Queen St. and Orange St., at a similar angle but further away than in img003.jpg.

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These photos of soon-to-be president John F. Kennedy were taken during the 1960 Presidential campaign, and are also from the personal archives of Joseph H. Ganse.

This picture shows JFK in front of of the Fulton Bank building, facing north on Penn Square. Mr. Ganse is fourth from the left, behind the men standing next to JFK.

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Another picture from the same angle, possibly taken before the one above (note JFK holding the microphone).

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This picture clearly shows a part of the original facade of the Fulton Bank building, which has since been covered over with brick.

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This picture (with JFK in the backround) was taken from the Penn Square side of the Fulton Bank, facing northwest. The Griest Building is at the left of these pictures. All of these buildings are still standing, and all appear very much as they do here.

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Another shot from the same location as the picture above, showing more of the buildings on N. Queen St.

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Joseph H. Ganse, who saved these pictures for posterity, is in the center of this picture.

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