NEW BOOK RELEASE

Urban Legend

The Life and Legacy of C. Emlen Urban

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 Building has a Story to Tell

On the pages of Urban Legend, you’ll learn more about C. Emlen Urban’s remarkable impact on the City of Lancaster. This book highlights twenty-five buildings built over a span of fifty years. We tell their story for the first time with with stunning photography and colorful narrative.

URBAN’S LIFE IN NUMBERS

786

Buildings Designed

21

Styles Used

54

Building Types

Legacy Defining Buildings

C. Emlen Urban spoke the twenty-one languages that defined the vast array of architectural styles from 1885 to 1935. Lancaster is the beneficiary of his mastery as seen the iconic examples that remain today.

1925

Griest Building
Style: Italian Renaissance

1898

Watt & Shand
Style: Beaux Arts

1888

Southern Market
Style: Queen Anne

The Flagship Book

Urban Legend: The Life & Legacy of C. Emlen Urban is the first hardbound book dedicated to the work of Lancaster, PA’s most prolific and notable architect of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Featuring twenty-five buildings, including residential, commercial, religious and retail, this book demonstrates his skill and knowledge in a chronological ‘story’ format that describes the building styles and details and also, the people who commissioned him.

Find Urban Legend 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.