The "A Solution For Those Afraid Of Lightning!" Story

It was an ordinary day,  Sometime in the spring of 1711 seven men came with their families to establish homes in what was at the time the western edge of Pennsylvania.  They traveled along the "Great Conestoga Road" which is now a part of the county of Lancaster.  Eight years later one of these men, Hans Herr, built what is known to us Lancastrians today as the "Hans Herr House."

The Hans Herr House near Willow Street.  This image is
one that I created using Polaroid film with alterations.

 He and his wife Elizabeth lived in the home as did several of his children.  In the early 1900's it was converted into a barn and storage shed.  In the early 1970's it was restored to its current condition.   But, sometime in the early 1900's the area was struck by lightning which started a fire that destroyed multiple outbuildings at the Hans Herr estate in nearby Willow Street, PA.  Then in 1924 Lancaster's famed architect, C. Emlen Urban designed Lancaster'f first skyscraper in downtown Lancaster.  By 1925 it was completed.  The building was fourteen stores tall and had a steel framework faced in granite, limestone and terra cotta.  

A picture postcard sowing Lancaster's
first skyscraper which was built in
1924-25 in downtown Lancaster, PA.

It measured 66 feet by 55 feet and had 36,000 square feet.  The 12th floor once housed a 300 seat auditorium with a green and gold frescoed ceiling.  A 53 foot tower was added later to the top of the building.  It was named in honor of W.W. Griest who was a former Pennsylvania representative.  And, in 1929 it was thought that areas around the large building would be safe from lightning strikes, since they would surely strike the Griest Building before something else in the city.  It was even suggested that the Hans Herr House be moved into the city due to it's historical value.  One fellow who favored the move said it would be a good idea to build more skyscrapers in the city to help with lightning strikes.  

A view of today's W.W. Griest Building in
downtown Lancaster.  Behind the building
is history Lancaster' Central Market.

At the time tests were being conducted in the "New England laboratory of a great electric company," in which the behavior of lightening in rural versus urban areas was studied closely.  Evidence showed that tall buildings with steel construction elements provided a "cone of protection" for smaller buildings nearby, with the apex of the tallest buildings's topmost point, and the radius two to four times the height of the building. Therefore, the Griest Building would give protection to businesses in the city block around it.  Certainly wouldn't have helped to move the Hans Herr House, since there was no space close to the Griest Building that was available.  That was over 90 years ago and the Hans Herr House, still located in nearby Willow Street, still hasn't burned down and the Griest Building looks as good as ever.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.