335 - 337 East Orange Street Lancaster, PA
This double townhouse was built in 1885 for two Strobel sisters by their parents who lived next door. The sisters were Elizabeth Strobel (Mrs. William Otterbein Frailey ) and Julia Strobel (Mrs. John W. Hiemenz).
The parents were Henry Strobel, a prosperous tavern keeper, and Frederika (Rapp) Strobel. These parents lived next door at 333 East Orange St. The Strobel family was active with St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
The house was designed by a young architect, C. Emlen Urban, who became Lancaster’s most important, homegrown architect. He was only in his early 20s when he designed this beautifully crafted building.
The double house has a distinctive cornice combining brackets and corbelling. There is a mansard roof, and a shingled pediment over the entry. Thanks to Deb Oesch for identifying this building’s architect and providing historical research.