Tying up the life of a legend: architect C. Emlen Urban [photos]

Many of those buildings, approaching the century mark, still fulfill their intended use. 

On Sept. 21, 1925, The New Era reported that “Time may bring other skyscrapers to Lancaster, but the Griest Building will never forfeit its claim to priority.”

Noted local architect designed four small-town banks at the turn of the last century that are worth big-city attention.

Perpendicular Gothic Revival architectural style helped storefront near Penn Square stand out from the others.

On June 25, 1880, 17-year-old C. Emlen Urban stood before classmates, faculty, school directors and guests of honor as the senior class valedictorian for Lancaster High School and delivered a poignant speech of promise and praise. In 1880, th…

After three decades of building homes -- and businesses, churches, schools, markets and more for others -- architect C. Emlen Urban in 1914 finally turned his talents to designing a home for his own family. 

Big windows, wide-open interiors and a trio of elevators wowed the Hager Department Store customers of 1911 -- and that's after the elaborate exterior had been unveiled. 

Like the proverbial cat with nine lives, the current-day Fulton Theatre has enjoyed nine or more incarnations over its 166-year history.

Architect C. Emlen Urban was well-established before a spate of commissions for houses of worship stretched his design world.

After rising from humble, immigrant beginnings, a local baker turned to Lancaster's renowned C. Emlen Urban to design both bakeries and his family home. 

Church commission was a place for architect C. Emlen Urban to break bread -- but not the rules. 

C. Emlen Urban faced constant criticism for decisions and costs during the four-year construction process, but the city school, now residences, became a high-water mark of an illustrious career. 

C. Emlen Urban's design, combined with economic incentives offered by local government, brought the Switzerland-based company to Lancaster -- and would alter the local business community for decades. 

Lancaster's leading architect and Milton S. Hershey struck up a sweet deal that resulted in C. Emlen Urban's strong stylistic influence in the new town of Hershey. 

As C. Emlen Urban's career continues to shine, he grabs the attention of New York City developer. 

Lancaster's illustrious architect designed many schools, always with a flourish that marked the building's importance in the community at large. 

Lancaster's most famous architect didn't limit himself to grand public buildings. Prominent locals commissioned him to design their homes, too. 

This is the fourth in an 18-part series highlighting the work of Lancaster's preeminent 19th- and 20th-century architect, Cassius Emlen Urban.

In his decade in private practice, Urban had completed more than 26 commissions representing eight building types and eight architectural styles.

Meeting candy magnate Milton S. Hershey gave Urban a push into the world of designing mansions and other private projects. 

How did C. Emlen Urban influence Lancaster's "look?" We examine his first project up close.