Lancaster General Health history
About Lancaster General Health
Lancaster City’s second hospital, the institution opened in a small three-story row home in the 300 block of North Queen Street. Three years later, the hospital moved to the 500 block of North Lime Street, where it still stands and serves patients today.
Since that time, we’ve grown to become Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. As a nonprofit health system, we’ve been recognized for innovative and compassionate care, with local access to some of the world’s most advanced treatments, research, and clinical trials.
1890s to 1980s: Early history of Lancaster General Health
Our story began when Lancaster General Hospital opened in 1893.
- January 1896: First baby born at Lancaster General Hospital
- October 1910: Hospital expands on Lime Street
- May 1916: First motorized ambulance arrives
- August 1952: Duke Street expansion dedication
- July 1969: Family medicine residency begins
- September 1983: County’s first open-heart surgery performed
1990s to today: A period of expansion
The last several decades have marked a period of rapid growth and expansion, so we can continue providing exceptional care.
- February 1994: Suburban Pavilion opens
- June 2000: Women & Babies Hospital opens
- December 2004: Orthopaedic Center opens
- June 2007: Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital opens
- July 2013: Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute opens
- September 2015: Lancaster General Health joins Penn Medicine
- July 2018: Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital opens
- October 2020: Penn Fertility Care Clinic opens
- June 2022: Lancaster General Health gains certification to offer advanced CAR-T cell therapies to cancer patients
- December 2022: Proton Therapy Center opens at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute
- January 2025: Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-in Center opens at Lancaster General Hospital
- March 2025: Penn Medicine Queen Street Outpatient Center opens
Community health and wellness
Lancaster General Hospital was established because community leaders realized not everyone was getting the health care they needed. Today, we maintain a strong focus on community health, well-being, and disease prevention.
Advancing access to health care, education, and prevention resources is a foundational part of our ongoing efforts to make Central Pennsylvania one of the healthiest communities to live in