NEW BOOK RELEASE

Urban Alphabet

The Work of C. Emlen Urban A-Z

Celebrating Urban’s Architectural Influence

Prolific, ingenious, resourceful, innovative, bold, inquisitive, kind, and gentle describe the architect who single-handedly defined and designed Lancaster City from 1885 to 1935.

C. Emlen Urban, a true legend, designed 786 commissions with no formal education beyond the age of seventeen. His impact on Lancaster city’s landscape is undeniable. His mastery of the architectural language is unquestionable and his quest for excellence was unparalleled.

Every Detail has a Story to Tell

On the pages of Urban Alphabet, you’ll learn more about the remarkable details used by architect C. Emlen Urban. Author, Gregory J. Scott, FAIA, connects each letter of the alphabet to architectural terms found in Urban’s buildings. Discover the beauty of these details found across the City of Lancaster.

URBAN’S LIFE IN NUMBERS

786

Buildings Designed

21

Styles Used

54

Building Types

Explore Architecture A-Z

Urban Alphabet is Lancaster’s first architectural dictionary. Each letter of the alphabet represents an architectural term for a detail or a style of architecture common to C. Emlen Urban’s buildings.

“A” is for Acanthus

Acanthus is a hardy plant native to the Eastern Mediterranean region. Ancient and modern cultures stylized the leaf and used it as a decoration atop tall stone columns. 

“F” is for Fractable 

A fractable is a non-structural decorative facade treatment intended to add interest to a plain gable dormer, providing height and fracturing unbroken rooflines.

“H” is for Half-Timber 

Half-timber is based on the ancient technique of using pegged oak timbers, creating a distinctive structural skeleton of verticals, horizontals, and diagonals.

Lancaster’s Architecture Encyclopedia

Urban Alphabet can be enjoyed as a companion book to Urban Legend or as an independent resource to assist in further appreciating and understanding the beauty of C. Emlen Urban’s work. The 26 easy-to-understand narratives written by author Gregory Scott are supported by the photography of Matthew Tennison and a design layout by Fig Industries.

Find Urban Alphabet in Local Stores

Pickup your copy today from one of these Lancaster retailers.

  • 46 E Main St.
    Lititz, PA 17543

  • 30 N Queen St., # 1
    Lancaster, PA 17603

  • 45 N Market St.
    Lancaster, PA 17603

  • 38 Penn Square
    Lancaster, PA 17603

  • 230 N President Ave.
    Lancaster, PA 17603

  • 903 Wheatland Ave.
    Lancaster, PA 17603

  • 8 W King St., Suite 816
    Lancaster, PA 17603

About the Author

Gregory J. Scott, FAIA

Gregg is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, partner emeritus at RLPS Architects, architectural columnist for Lancaster Newspaper LNP, recent architectural correspondant for Lancaster NBC affiliate WGAL and twice recipient of the Journalist and Educator Award presented by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County.

He and his wife Terri Scott reside in Northeast Harbor, ME and Lancaster, PA. They have two children and two grandchildren. Current board and community positions include the Hamilton Club, Northeast Harbor Neighborhood House, Mount Desert Island Housing Trust and Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services advisor. Gregg is an Eagle Scout.