Liberty House in Buchanan Park
This well-known building in Buchanan Park is a scaled-down replica of Lancaster County’s second courthouse, which was built in 1787. That Federal-style courthouse was located in the center of Penn Square, where the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is today.
This courthouse replica was built in 1918 by students of the Stephens Trade High School, to sell Liberty Bonds during World War I. It was designed by Architect C. Emlen Urban. It stood on Penn Square in front of the Watt and Shand Building (today’s Convention Center). In the 1920s the building was moved here to Buchanan Park. Today this mini courthouse is used for storage. Thanks to Deb Oesch for the C. Emlen Urban information.