In 1730, Andrew Hamilton donated a plot of land near the center of town for use as a publically-owned farmer's market.

In 1889, James Warner desgined the red brick Romanesque-Revival structure that houses the market today. Twenty-two dormers adorn the slate roof and twin towers grace the corners on the south side of the building. The 20,000 square-foot market house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, Lancaster County farmers, bakers, and florists still wake in the wee hours of the morning to harvest, prepare, and transport their goods to market. Every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 6am, thirteen sets of double doors around the building open, exposing colorful produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, seafood, and eye-catching bouquets. These mom and pop stands sell high quality products at a fair price and offer friendly customer service.

Eisenberger's Baked Goods is always my first stop. Homemade breads, four-layer cakes, apple turnovers, raspberry muffins, and chocolate-covered delicacies line the display cases. Single-serving cheesecakes topped with glazed peaches or plump cherries look pretty tempting, but I can't resist the flaky, melt-in-your-mouth croissants to nibble on as a stroll up and down the aisles checking out the daily specials.

Hodecker's Celery Stand sells celery hearts by the bunch from .50 to $5. The crips hearts are trimmed, washed, and ready to eat. Although Hodecker's celery is always suberb, the best time to buy is in the summer, when they harvest the crop grown in the rich Lancaster County soil.

Everyone has their favorite stand and mine is S. Clyde Weaver's, a fixture at the market for over 80 years. Super-sharp cheese, smoked ring bologna, dried beef, and Lebanon bologna (plain and sweet) are household favorites. Special order wet-bottom shoofly pies and sticky buns ahead of time for pick up at market. Weaver's phone number to place an order is 717/397-4608.

Rohrer's Flower Stand is the best place to stop and smell the roses. You may purchase an already made bouquet or be creative and arrange your own.

The market is tucked in the northwest corner of of Penn's Square, where King and Queen Streets meet. Look for the brick tower between Lancaster Cultural Museum and the Bank of America. The market is open Tuesdays and Fridays 6am to 2pm and Saturdays from 6am to 4pm, year-round.