Just when an actual "market" was first built on this plot is unclear, but the earliest references to a "market house" were made in 1757.

In 1795, Old City Hall was built "On the present site of the Market House, that is today, on the east end of the same...." and in the next year a new market house was also constructed.

The present market house was designed by James H. Warner, an English born architect who had already gained renown for his experience in church architecture and in the construction of large roofs, including projects he designed in Harrisburg and Reading. Universal opinion is that this building is not only suited most admirably to the purposes for which it was erected, but that it is an edifice that would be an ornament anywhere and the only regret is it does not occupy a site where it could be seen to its fullest advantage. The New Era newspaper called it a "Romanesque Revival" style.

The Market features twin towers that are 72 feet high on the south corners, and are covered with Spanish tiling finished off with terra cotta finials.

Thirteen sets of towering double doors circle 20,000 square feet of interior space originally designed to house "160 farmers' and truckers' stalls, 72 butchers' and 20 fish stalls-252 all together. In its 100th anniversary year, the Central Market would have an equivalent of about 210 six foot stands, represented by 78 stand holders.

Today, of course, Central Market is much more than a sum of its architecture, stands, stand holders, and customers. In the largest sense, it is the symbol of the culture of Lancaster County representing pride in its heritage, agricultural strength, ethnic diversity and an effective combination of public sector management by the city of Lancaster, coupled with the private enterprise at its very best...every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

{Historic Market}