Gethsemane Hall: A Castle in the Heart of York

Nestled at 111 North Beaver Street, Gethsemane Hall stands out with its castle-like design. Built in 1912 by the Freemasons, this building captures your attention with its unique style. It's like stepping into a piece of history that combines different architectural styles.

The hall's construction began after the Masons bought the old York Post Office next door. The rough-cut granite and the round arches are classic features of the Richardson Romanesque style. But here's the twist – Gethsemane Hall also shows off elements of the Neo-Norman style, similar to English castles from the Norman period. This mix gives the building its distinctive castle-like appearance, complete with towers, battlements, and a crenelated roofline.

The Old York Post Office: Victorian Romanesque Wonder

Over at 55 West Philadelphia Street, the Old York Post Office is another architectural treasure. Built in 1895, it was the city's post office until 1912. This building wasn't just any ordinary post office; it also housed the U.S. Department of Revenue on its second floor.

The construction of this building is a story of its own. Back in 1890, Congress set aside $80,000 for it. The design came from the Supervising Architect of the U.S. Treasury, a role held by Willoughby Edbrooke and Jeremiah O'Rourke. These architects were famous for designing significant buildings – Edbrooke worked on the Georgia State Capitol, and O'Rourke was known for his churches in New York City. After the post office moved, the Masonic lodge from a nearby facility took over. They later built Gethsemane Hall next to it.

Now let's talk about the design of the Old York Post Office. It's a stunning example of Victorian Romanesque style, which is Romanesque Revival with a Victorian flair. The Beaver Street side is especially striking, with two towers and a unique roof design. The entryways are framed by massive sandstone arches supported by squat columns.

The smaller tower is capped with a copper dome, while the larger one has a slate hexagonal roof. And if you look closely, you'll spot gargoyles and grotesques decorating the main tower. These weren't just for show; originally, they served as rain spouts!