Urban was born in Conestoga Two, Lancaster County on February 20, 1863 and died at his self designed-home on Buchanan Ave on May 21 1939. His first major architectural commission in Lancaster, at age 25, was the Southern Market (Queen and Vine) in 1888. During his 45 year career, Urban was responsible for the design of major public and commercial buildings , churches, industrial sites and private residences. His designs reflect Queen Anne, French Renaissance, Gothic revival, Beaux Arts, and Colonial revival periods. He adapted historical styles to modern building types using modern materials.
Summary
Pictorial book of seven houses by Urban (including the Hershey building in Reading, PA) published in 1896. The address of each building is included in handwritten notes. The facing pages for each of the buildings are ads for a variety of building merchants at the time. Also pictured is the interior stairwell of the Lancaster residence of a Mr PT Watt. Good book for a quick introduction to the works of C Emlen Urban.
