627 West Chestnut Street Lancaster, PA
In the 1920s and 30s this townhouse was the home of one of Lancaster’s most renowned musicians: Dr. Stanton Becker von Grabill. He was listed as one of the world’s six leading pianists.
Dr. von Grabill was born in Brownstown, Lancaster County, in 1872. He studied piano in Russia with Arthur Rubenstein. He was knighted in Austria by Emperor Franz Josef. Dr. von Grabill also was an associate teacher with Eduard Grieg in Berlin, and was court pianist to the Emperor of Germany. Von Grabill lived here with wife Josephine (Strickler) von Grabill.
The house was designed by Lancaster's most important architect, C. Emlen Urban. It was built ca. 1898. It features a polygonal bay window with a swagged frieze, an elaborate dormer, a mansard roof, and stone quoins. The porch has paneled posts with a lozenge motif.