The "Red Rose Coin of the Year" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just received photos of the new Lancaster Red Rose Coin Club medal that is created yearly to bring attention to one of Lancaster, Pennsylvania's historical landmarks or a person, group or establishment that played an important part to the history of the city and it's residents.  

One side of the coin showing the logo of the Red Rose Coin Club.

I have posted stories in the past, such as a story about Robert Fulton and his steamboat and James Buchanan and his home at Wheatland, while displaying the coins from the Red Rose Coin Club that show images of these places or people.  A few years ago I was introduced to these coins when a good friend, Dale, showed me his entire collection that began with the 1966 edition.  Dale has recently moved from the area so I contacted another coin club member, Charlie, who supplied me with photos and a brief story of this year's coin.  

This side of the coin features the Police Badge of Lancaster, PA.

The new coin is a special medal honoring the 150th anniversary of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police.  One side of the coin features the familiar rose logo, symbol of Lancaster, Pennsyl-vania, while the reverse side shows the badge of the police department.  It was back in September 8 of 1865 that Lancaster Mayor George Sanderson appointed 21 night policemen to suppress lawlessness in the city.  It was said that that evening was the quietest evening the city had enjoyed in a long time.  A make-shift jail was set up in Fulton Hall on North Prince Street.  Fulton Hall would eventually become the Fulton Opera House.  In 1874 a two-story police station was built at 27 E. Grant Street and then in 1911 two Harley Davidson motorcycles were purchased for street patrol.  

This is the traffic section of the Lancaster City Police in
1925 which shows the two Harley Davidson motorcycles
they had.  The photo was taken in front of the station
located in the first block of East Grant Street.

Five years later two Cadillac chassis were purchased with one made into the first patrol car while the other was made into an ambulance.  In 1955 the police force was moved into a new building at 39 East Chestnut Street and in 2003 moved one more time to another new building at 39 West Chestnut Street.  All of these stations are within two city blocks of each other.   The Lancaster Police Department was also the first in the state to use chemical testing to determine intoxication.  They also were noted for beginning a juvenile section, mounted horse patrol, bicycle patrol and K-9 section.  Today the Lancaster City Bureau of Police has close to 150 officers who patrol a city of diverse cultures.  The new coin, or medal, which honors the police department is made of both bronze and silver and can be purchased at charlie.rohrer@cenveo.com.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.