01/20/2026
The Lancaster City neighborhoods of Adamstown, Mussertown, and Churchtown were originally their own distinct small towns that developed along the southeastern boundary of the Red Rose City.
Adamstown was formed from part of a 300-acre farm acquired in 1737 by Swiss immigrant Hans (John) Musser. The farm extended from John Street to the east, Church Street to the north, Strawberry Street to the west, and south to the Conestoga River.
In 1744, Dr. Adam Simon Kuhn, a prominent local physician, purchased 15 acres from John Musser that were bounded by Church, John, Locust, and Rockland Streets. On this tract, Dr. Kuhn laid out 46 lots along two streets, Church Street and Middle Street (renamed Howard Avenue in 1895).
Musser's son, John Musser Jr., began in 1760 to lay out Mussertown to the southwest of Adamstown, bounded by Church, South Queen, Strawberry, Locust, and Rockland Streets. Rockland Street served as the boundary between Adamstown and Mussertown. Musser extended Church and Middle Streets west to East Strawberry Street.
Churchtown was established in 1762 by John Musser's brother Henry in an area southeast of Mussertown. He laid out North, Low (renamed Chester in 1888), High (which became Green in 1871), and South Streets (later renamed Woodward).
These small settlements were eventually incorporated into the City of Lancaster but developed their own identities. Learn more on the - Self-guided Architectural Walking Tour. Click the link for more information and other sites to visit. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9503b44fe06847b7b48a8865684ccec7
