519 Church Street Lancaster, PA
This landmark limestone house is one of the oldest surviving houses in Lancaster. It was built ca. 1765.
This dwelling has often been called “The Oyster House” because for many years Martin L. Rutter had an oyster restaurant in this building.
Mr. Rutter began selling oysters here around 1892, and continued for 21 years. He lived in the western half of this building, (on the right) above his oyster cellar / restaurant. He and his four sons also had an oyster shop at Lancaster's Western Market during this time.
Martin Rutter traveled to the Chesapeake Bay to purchase his oysters. He also purchased watermelons and other produce on these trips, which he sold at Lancaster market stands. He was famous for the size of his gargantuan oysters. His salty bivalves were known to be six inches long and two-and-a-half inches thick.