Lancaster Chamber Timeline
Susanna Wright, Silk Industry Pioneer, is born
Central Market begins
The Demuth Tobacco Shop opens
The Lancaster newspaper, now LNP, was founded
Lydia Hamilton Smith, a famous Lancaster Business Leader, is born
Lydia Hamilton Smith was born to a Biracial Free woman and an Irishmen. Smith had a successful life working as an office and affairs manager with Thaddeus Stevens, local solicitor, businessperson, and politician. She was also an important part of the anti-slavery movement and the Underground Railroad in Lancaster.
The Strasburg Railroad is created
The American Moral Reform Society is founded by a group of black leaders including William Whipper in Philadelphia, PA
William Whipper was a Black business owner and abolitionist who lived in Columbia, PA, running one of the most successful lumber and real estate businesses in the state as well as being an instrumental part in the Underground Railroad. Whipper was also a Founder and Editor of the journal American Moral Reform Society, an organization made up of African Americans who organized to abolish slavery.
Beginnings of Millersville University
Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery is founded
The Lancaster Chamber was founded
On the evening of July 22, a meeting was held at the Cooper Hotel on West King Street– it brought business and community leaders together to form the Board of Trade. Around 100 people turned out for the occasion. This began the Lancaster Chamber, founded with the idea that the power of a group is greater than that of an individual.
Truist Bank is established in Charlotte, NC
The Fulton Theatre, then the Fulton Opera House, opened
Frank W. Woolworth opened his five-and-dime store on Queen Street and Watt & Shand opened their New York Store on East King Street.
Wellspan Health is established
Ephrata National Bank is established
Fulton Bank is established
Lancaster Paint & Glass Co. is established, producing paints on a small scale
The Wilbur Bud is created
Milton S. Hershey began and ran the Lancaster Caramel Company
Electric streetcar lines were built, connecting Lancaster City to the county boroughs.
Stifel Investment Services- Scudner Group is established
Hamilton Watch Company is founded
Lancaster General Health hospital opens
Lancaster General Health hospital opens its doors at 322 North Queen Street in Lancaster.
New Holland Tractor, now known as CNH, is founded
Lancastrian John M. Mast invents the wood and spring mousetrap, which would later become one of Woodstream’s best-known products.
Thaddeus Stevens college of Technology is founded
Armstrong Flooring, Inc. moves headquarters from Pittsburgh to Lancaster, PA
Warfel Construction Company is established
The Lancaster Chamber was one of the founding members of the United States Chamber of Commerce.
Rhoads Energy is established, when Jerome H. Rhoads began selling kerosene from the back of a rail car in Lancaster PA.
The Board of Trade combined with the Retail Merchants Association to officially form the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce.
With philanthropy a growing and unique American concept, the Chamber helped to launch the Lancaster County Community Foundation.
Novelty Manufacturing Co. is established, making 2022 their 100th Year Anniversary!
Barley Snyder is established in 1927
Murray is established, selling insurance and bonding
High Welding Company is founded, now High Companies
Turkey Hill is founded
John E. Landis, Inc. is established, servicing local automotive dealers
The Lancaster Airport is dedicated
Sterling McNees formed a partnership with Charles Hollinger and Gilbert Nurick, to do legal work for Hershey interests, establishing McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
The Chamber supported the war effort by working with manufacturers to develop a “United War Chest” to coordinate fundraising for the war effort and assist veterans in finding employment when they returned to the US.
A mill is purchased for the start of Wenger Feeds
Everence Financial is established, formerly known as Mennonite Mutual Aid Inc.
Ten Thousand Villages is founded, the start of the Fair Trade Movement
Godfrey Marketing Agency is established
WGAL is founded
Certified Carpet is established
The Lancaster Chamber launched the beginnings of what we know today as Discover Lancaster.
Simon Lever is established on South Queen Street in Lancaster
RKL LLP is established
Kitchen Kettle Village begins
Engle Printing & Publishing Co. is established
The Lancaster Chamber started what has now become the Economic Development Company (EDC).
BRP Entertainment is established, booking bands for community events
Dutch Wonderland officially opens
Conrad Siegel is established
Landis Communities is established in Manheim Township with nine residents at Landis Homes
United Disabilities Services is established, formerly known as United Cerebral Palsy of Lancaster County
Clair Global is founded, and the Live Event Industry in Lancaster County begins
Woodstream Corporation becomes a public company
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County is established
The Cope Company Salt is established with the mission to meet every salt need in the surrounding communities
The Chamber begins to offer professional development programs, special events, value added products, and networking as a way to connect and train the local business community.
Park City Center opens
Eden Resort & Suite opens
Lancaster County Motors acquires the Subaru franchise for the Lancaster area
Hummer Turfgrass Systems, Inc. is established
Oregon Dairy is established by the Hurst family to sell their milk and ice cream to their friends and neighbors
Four Seasons Produce, Inc. is established as a produce wholesaler
The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and the Lancaster Area Manufacturer’s Association merge to become The Lancaster Association of Commerce as the new brand.
Charles Demuth's art studio is turned into the Demuth Museum
Charles Demuth is a famous American Modernist Artist, born and raised in Lancaster. The Demuth Museum showcases fifty original paintings by Charles Demuth as well as the space in which he created and envisioned his works.
The first Willow Valley Community opens
Ross Buehler Falk & Company, LLP is established
Samaritan Counseling Center is established
Leadership Lancaster beings programming as partnership of the Lancaster Chamber and Junior League of Lancaster.
The TEAM Approach, Inc. is established
The Lancaster Chamber partners with the City of Lancaster to renovate the Southern Market Building, making it the Chamber’s new office space.
TriStarr Staffing is established
Summit Advisory is established
Grudi Associates is established
Highmark is established, conducting business in Western Pennsylvania as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and in the rest of Pennsylvania as Pennsylvania Blue Shield
The Lancaster Chamber celebrates 125 years and hosts Colin Powell, 65th United States Secretary of State, at the Annual Dinner.
The Quilt Shop at Miller's is established
Waller Tax & Financial Services is established by Fred Waller
MAROTTA/MAIN Architects is established
Lancaster Chamber wins national Chamber Of The Year through the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Clipper Magazine Stadium, Home of the Lancaster Barnstormers opens its gates.
Sunrise Logistics, Inc. is established
Techno Rescue is established as a Veteran-Owned company
The Lancaster Arts Hotel opens, formerly being a tabacco warehouse in 1881
The Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square and the Lancaster County Convention Center opens.
Lancaster Chamber wins national Chamber Of The Year through the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Spooky Nook Sports opens
Rock Lititz opens in Lititz, combining the efforts and creating a campus for the Live Event Industry to thrive.
Lancaster Chamber drops ‘’of Commerce’’ from name and logo.
Laura Schanz Consulting Associates is established
The Lancaster Chamber creates $7 million Capital Campaign and moves office to 115 E. King Street Lancaster, PA.
The Pennsylvania Healthy Insurance Exchange(Pennie) is established through Act 42 of 2019 being signed to transition away from federal exchange Healthcare.gov and increase premium savings.
Lancaster Chamber, Economic Development Company of Lancaster County, and the County of Lancaster develop the Recovery Lancaster project focused on providing funds and other resources for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reed Advisory Group is established after Kevin B. Reed saw the financial impact COVID-19 had on businesses.
Belle Brow Microblading opens their Lancaster location
Lancaster Chamber celebrates their 150th Anniversary
THANK YOU!
Our history is your history – we wouldn’t exist without the continued
support of business community over the last 150 years. Thank you for being part of this year’s historic celebrations
Thank You to Our 150th Celebration Sponsors!
Events
Check out the photos from our 150th Celebration Events!
Annual Dinner
June 23, 2022
Lancaster County Convention Center
Founder’s Day
July 22, 2022
Lancaster Chamber
LancasterHistory Mixer
September 21, 2022
LancasterHistory
GIVE TO THE LEGACY FUND
CELEBRATE! Sharing Our Stories
Presenting Sponsor
Champion Sponsors
Catalyst Sponsors
Legacy Sponsors
Armstrong Flooring
Certified Carpet
CNH New Holland
Community Action Partnership
Conrad Siegel
Ephrata National Bank
Everence
Godfrey
Grudi
Murray
Rhoads Energy
RKL LLP
Stifel Investment Services – Scudner Group
TriStarr
Warfel Construction
Wellspan Health
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