The "Heritage Crisis on the Fruitville Pike" Story

Fence and gate frame the beautiful Mayer-Hess farmhouse
on the left and the barn on the right.

It was an ordinary day.  Just returned from taking photos of the Mayer-Hess Farmstead which is about a half-mile away from my home on the Fruitville Pike in Lancaster, PA.  On the farm stands an extremely rundown farmhouse and a once graceful but crumbling barn and outbuilding.  Place reminds me somewhat of the historic Star Barn located along Rt. 283 near Harrisburg, PA.  All buildings have been severely neglected with peeling paint, broken windows, missing boards, broken shutters and windows covered with plastic.  How anyone can still live comfortably in the farmhouse is beyond me.  The property, also known as Belmont Farm, stands next to the entrance of a strip mall and across from empty farmland that was recently sold for construction of another commercial retail area of 16 buildings plus 126 new townhouses and 132 single family detached units.  

For Sale sign located along the Fruitville Pike.

I grew up in Manheim Township where Belmont Farm is located and as previously stated, now live only a few blocks from the place.  For years it was a majestic sight to behold.  Reminded me of a southern plantation mansion with surrounding buildings and farmland.  Then retail came to Manheim Township.  The current owners, the Hess family heirs, could care less what happens to the property which has a limestone quarry and kiln on the western side of the property.  But to many citizens of Lancaster County, the demolition of all the buildings will destroy one of the most historical farmsteads in southeastern Pennsylvania.  The 19th century farmstead and lime kiln operation brought great wealth to the Mayer family and their descendants as well as those who have purchased and run the operation since.  

Barn on left and outbuilding on the right.

A local architect has said the house is significant because of its size and level of ornamentation.  According to the Pennsylvania historic Resource Survey it is probably the largest surviving symmetrical Italianate house in Lancaster County.  It has been written in the local paper that the developer plans, as of now, to reuse only the farmhouse which he plans to preserve and use for offices, a cafe, apartments or similar uses as permitted under Manheim Township's zoning ordinance.  

Neat details abound on this house and
barm.  Each structure has a cupola which
carries the same detail as the structure.

And that is were the problem is according to those trying to preserve the entire farmstead, quarry and kiln.  Current local zoning laws allow the developer to remove every natural feature on the farm property.  But, that doesn't take into consideration the following: Lancaster's agricultural heritage and natural resources; Conserving rare gifts of our community; An appreciation for the arts and architectural legacy of Lancaster County; and a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on our responsibility as stewards of our built and natural environment.  Here's hoping that visionaries and responsible citizens of Lancaster County can gather forces and quickly use the Supreme Court's ruling to enact legislation to stop the destruction of another piece of Lancaster's heritage as has been done so many times in my lifetime.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - Photos from the past of the Mayer-Hess farmhouse, barn and kiln follow. Remember to click on the photos to enlarge.

Photo from the 1950s of the property.

Drawing of the property on the left.

Artist's drawing of the house and barn.

Another drawing of the front of the farmhouse

This is the lime kiln operation to the west of the farmhouse and barn.