Lancaster Court House

Lancaster Court House
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
September 27, 1777

No Longer Standing
50 N. Duke St
Lancaster, PA 17602

Lancaster Court House Lancaster, Pennsylvania September 27, 1777


Lancaster Court House was a 1730 brick structure, 30’ x 30’, that had a brick pavement floor.   The Court House was crowned with a small spire that had a clock of two faces, one for the south and the other for the north. The structure burnt down in 1781 and was replaced with a much larger structure in 1785 that is often depicted, incorrectly, as the Continental Congress Capitol building.  Upon their arrival on September 27, 1777, the Continental Congress convened but was forced to vacate the building the following day. The Pennsylvania officials, who had also fled Philadelphia, required the meeting space for the use of their State government business. 


Students and Teachers of US History this is a video of Stanley and Christopher Klos presenting America's Four United Republics Curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. The December 2015 video was an impromptu capture by a member of the audience of Penn students, professors and guests that numbered about 200. - Click Here for more information  

The following day the Continental Congress packed up and moved the Capitol across the Susquehanna River to a small village called York-Town. The River provided a natural barrier to the British who had captured Philadelphia on September 26, 1777.  Howe’s decision to conquer Philadelphia and not join his Northern Army resulted in General Burgoyne’s surrender in Saratoga.  Congress only official business in Lancaster was to adjourn to re-assemble in York-town, Pennsylvania.



Capitals of the United States and Colonies of America

Philadelphia
Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774
Philadelphia
May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776
Baltimore
Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777
Philadelphia
March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777
Lancaster
September 27, 1777
York
Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778
Philadelphia
July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783
Princeton
June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783
Annapolis
Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784
Trenton
Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784
New York City
Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788
New York City
October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789
New York City
March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790
Philadelphia
December 6,1790 to May 14, 1800
Washington DC
November 17,1800 to Present




Middle and High School Curriculum Supplement
For More Information Click Here

U.S. Dollar Presidential Coin Mr. Klos vs Secretary Paulson - Click Here

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