The Town Square

The Town Square. Settled 1852. , From the beginning of its existence until well after World War II the Town Square was the center of nearly all Lancaster business activities. The first stores were wood structures, and most of these destroyed in devastating fires in 1877 and 1889. The availability of Ferris brick then encouraged better, more durable construction, and a disastrous fire in 1918 was largely confined to the east side of the square., Saloons and gambling halls, with consequent disorders, were numerous until 1877, when the 14th Legislature, on solicitation from nearly every qualified voter in the town, barred such establishments within a one mile radius of the high school, better known as the "Masonic Institute," located on the present Baptist Church site. Thereafter, thirsty Lancastrians were forced to resort to the "Cucklebur Patch," some distance east of town, riding to and from this establishment in a "hoodlum wagon" provided for their convenience., The well in the center of the square supplied water to business houses and passing strangers. The square witnessed the great "Cleveland Rally" of 1884, innumerable parades, including an annual performance for many decades by Mollie Bailey's circus, medicine shows of infinite variety, band performances and the excitement of "Trades Day," the latter being regular events sponsored by the Lancaster Commercial Club 1890 or earlier until the 1930's.