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Eastern Pennsylvania » The Piedmont » Adams County » Abbottstown » W. A. Hafer House

W. A. Hafer House

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1884, attributed to John A. Dempwolf. Center Sq., northwest corner
  • (Photograph by Mark Mones)
  • (© George E. Thomas)
  • (Photograph by Mark Mones)
  • (Photograph by Mark Mones)

The great Queen Anne pile that dominates the town square has something of the look of a commercial building in its size and the monumental entrance in its projecting tower. But it is a central-hall house, flanked on the west side by a small office. The east side is a compendium of Queen Anne details, including terra-cotta panels, one with Hafer's initials and another the date. The wealth of contemporary detail suggests that the architect was a subscriber to American Architect and Building News. The client is said to have made his fortune horse-trading, which perhaps explains some of the images on the stained glass windows as well as the value of his location on the main routes west and south. What is remarkable is the desire to build so immense a house in so small a town. Across the square is the former Emmanuel Reformed Church that was founded in 1847. Its present structure, built in 1895, is characteristic of the brick churches of the German communities and marks their reluctance to shift to more fashionable architecture.

Writing Credits

Author: 
George E. Thomas

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