It was an ordinary day. Driving around Lancaster County's Central Park. I had just passed Rock Ford, the Colonial mansion of Edward Hand, the Adjutant General of the Continental Army and notable Lancaster Physician who entertained President George Washington at his mansion in 1791. As I continued to drive I passed yet another beautiful red-brick farmhouse with two-tone blue trim that carries an address of 1050 Rockford Road.
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1050 Rockford Road
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As I found out a bit later, it was the Park's administrative office. Really neat brick home that I can't believe I never saw before, being that I was born, raised and lived in Lancaster County all my life. I even played Little League baseball at the ballfield that sits less than a mile from the brick house. It wasn't long ago that I read an article in Lancaster Newspsaper's "The Scribbler's" column about the place.  |
| Historical sign telling about Rock Ford |
Opened up the online column to read a few facts about the home that Jack Brubaker, aka "The Scribbler", had posted in response to a letter written to him about the beautiful brick house. I read that the house was more than likely built between 1859 and 1862 on 40 acres of land that belonged to George D. Sprecher. Mr. Sprecher had purchased the 40-acre property along the Conestoga River in 1859 for about $5,800. He eventually built the red brick home and sold the property and house for about $7,465 in 1862. Mr. Sprecher owned a hardware store at one time and also operated a slate business in Lancaster. It was said that he built and owned quite a few houses in the city of Lancaster.  |
| Interior fireplace at 1050 Rockford Road |
Eventually Miss Cathrine Bertha Lamparter, a Lancaster boot shop owner, bought the house and property in the late 1920s and lived there until she died in 1952. Mr. Clarence E. Pontz bought the property in 1956 from the Lamparter estate and raised Black Angus steers, sheep and horses on the property. That was about the same time that I began playing baseball nearby for the Schick Midget-Midget team. The road next to the old farmhouse was recently renamed Pontz Drive.  |
| Beautiful stairwell leading to the second floor. |
The old farmhouse was renovated in 1998 and today looks beautiful. I stopped to take a few photographs of the old farmhouse and realized that the place is now the home to The Lancaster County Parks Office. Went to the back door to see if I could take a few photographs inside the farmhouse, but found it was closed. Within a few minutes a van arrived and a uniformed fellow got out. I walked over to him and told him that I wanted to write a story about my journey today, but had found that the place was closed. He said they wouldn't be open for a few days, but he would let me inside for a few photographs If I wanted. You bet!  |
| Another view of the old farmhouse at 1050 Rockford Road |
So, the two of us walked through the old house and he did his best to describe a bit about the old farm house. We both had an enjoyable half-hour and I actually managed to get a few interesting photographs to share with you. One thing I did find out was that the old farmhouse underwent a renovation in 1998. Today it looks amazing, but the interior has been changed quite a bit and no longer resembles a home, but an office which is exactly what it is today. Today, thousands of county residents use the surrounding park for hiking, swimming in the nearby pool and enjoying the beautiful property near the red brick house. I also had the chance to see a bit more of the area and will try to open my eyes and take in the beauty of Lancaster that I must have missed in the past. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  |
The front of Rock Ford, the home of Gen. Edward Hand and his family.
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