I live near Lancaster, and so know that the community is mostly "upright Christian" -- the Pennsylvania Dutch values of keeping things neat as a pin are in evidence here. Mostly I was surprised by how many women had market baskets. I didn't realize that they were still so common in 1940's, but then this is Lancaster, so maybe the baskets were part of the plain approach.

Wow, it does look remarkably similar to what it looks like now. Except for the streets being changed to pedestrian walkways, I would think that picture was just shot in black and white yesterday. I go there every Saturday -- fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and milk can always be had. Its a very cool place to visit.

I live in Lancaster and try to make it to this market as often as possible. The streets around this market are still the original stone or brick. The scenery has not changed much at all besides the new convention center they are just about to complete. Other then that, this area is a blast from the past.

Wow, the first one I've seen of downtown Lancaster (small as that may be) on Shorpy! It's still a thriving little area, and Central Market is still a great place to get lunch on Tuesday and Saturday. I used to work in an office down the alley where the red truck is in the new picture. Our office had very dark tinted windows, so during the day the windows were closer to a mirror to people outside (and vice versa at night inside). A favorite past time was to laugh at all the people picking their teeth or adjusting their bras in front of the window, not knowing there were three or four people right in front of them watching.

Ahhh, I miss Lancaster!

Our great interstate highway system really reduced travel time in the Eastern states. In 1939 it was a two day trip from Detroit to Philadelphia because of driving through, not around, cities like Lancaster. Same trip today takes half the time.

Interesting how similar the entire scene is today. Pedestrians now rule the road as cars are banned. In 1945, all of the 19 people are slender, as are the 6 people in the new view.

The view is remarkably similar today.

[They covered over all that gray paint. I like it! - Dave]

I think that may be because the streets look so clean. And they're oddly angled. Looks more like a European street scene. You're right. It does look like a set. Striking.

http://www.centralmarketcampaign.org/

is what comes to mind. Something artificial about this scene.