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The Quarryville Ark

By Don Hess

Real Estate Agent with KW Elite Keller Williams 1280 Plaza Blvd. Lancaster, PA 17601 AB067316

December 06, 2011 11:33 PM

As a Quarryville Realtor that has lived here for 40 years, but was not born here, I've often wondered about a structure called Barr's Ark. I finally decided to do a bit of research and the following is what I discovered:

The great stone mansion was built by Martin Barr and had been the most conspicuous in the neighborhood. It became known as "The Ark". Located in the northern part of the borough of Quarryville, perched on a slight hill which at the time was known as "Mount Ararat." These names, “The Ark” and “Mount Ararat”, were given by a noted wag of his day, (What exactly is a “wag” anyway?) named Longenecker, soon after the house was built. It was erected in 1719 or 1790. I discovered conflicting dates but I'm told of a stone in the west end of the building bearing the 1790 date. (I haven't personally checked that out.) It was Barr's farm or manor house, being situated nearly in the center of the lands he then owned. His estate consisted of several thousand acres of land, running north for almost two miles, and about that far south. The farm was almost a mile wide from east to west. The entire farm comprised the lands now occupied by Quarryville Borough and much more. As a Realtor in Quarryville today, I'd of liked to have been involved in that sub division.

"The Ark" was built of "Barren" stone, hauled from the ridge running about a mile northeast of that point, the limestone on the property not being considered as desirable for building purposes. An enormous quantity of stone was used, as the foundation trenches were sunk very deep, the builder was determined to rest upon solid rock. The house was thirty feet high, with a deep basement, and a two-storied "still house" was attached to the east end. Mr. Barr ran a distillery and in it was said to be one of the finest springs in the neighborhood. It was reported that the whiskey he made was excellent.

The house, at the time it was built, was not only the largest in its locality, but was one of the best and finest. Two wide porches ran along the entire length. All the woodwork was of the very best hardwood; most of it was walnut. The walls were two feet thick. The hall was twelve feet wide. At one time it was said that the entire edifice contained a greater quantity of stone than any other building in the county, except the AImshouse, and Lancaster county is famed for its fine old stone mansions.

And that's what my admittedly brief research discovered about “The Ark”. I'm certain there is much more to tell, but I'm a Realtor not a historian. If anyone knows more or can verify what I found, please comment.

Don Hess

Keller Williams Realty

Lancaster / Willow Street

hess39@comcast.net

717 715-6288

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Michael J. Perry

KW Elite - Lancaster, PA

Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Live Quarryville is starting to shape up ! I think you click on "edit group" to insert a photo ?

Dec 12, 2011 02:23 AM

You know this really is a well written post that deserves much more readership !!!

May 23, 2014 10:01 PM

The Quarryville Ark

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