Overview
Lancaster, the Red Rose City, is a city in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and
is the county seat of Lancaster County. With a population of 55,351, it is ranked as the 515th-largest
city in the United States. City's Population as of the 2000 Census was 56,348.
Natives typically pronounce it as LANK-i-stir, rather than LAN-CAS-ter (with the first two syllables more
or less equally stressed), as is the common pronunciation for other Lancasters in the US.
History
Lancaster is the oldest inland city in the United States of America. It is 71 miles west of Philadelphia
and is snuggled along the north and west by the Susquehanna River.
German immigrants, known as Pennsylvania Dutch (from "Deutsch" meaning German), were the first to
settle in the area in 1709. At that time it was known as "Hickory Town". The Honorable James Hamilton
laid it out in building lots and out lots, and in May 10, 1729, it became the county seat.
John Wright, a prominent citizen, gave it the name "Lancaster" after Lancaster, England where he
formerly lived. The city is known as the "Red Rose City" due to its link to Lancaster, England. Lancaster
became a borough in 1742, a charted city on March 10, 1818, and surrendered its ancient city charter
and became a Third Class City under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on May 27, 1924.
It was National Capital of the American colonies on September 27, 1777, when the Continental
Congress was fleeing British forces (who had captured Philadelphia). From 1799 to 1812, Lancaster
was the capital of Pennsylvania.
Government
Government
Lancaster operates as a third-class city code of Pennsylvania with the strong Mayor-City Council
form of government wherein the mayor serves as chief executive and administrative officer for the
municipality and City Council serves as the legislative and oversight body providing checks and
balances on the system.
