York Central Market
Why it's listed
Built in 1888 on Philadelphia and Beaver Streets in York, the Central Market House is a brick public market one block from the York square. John Dempwolf, a German immigrant, designed the building and George Yinger erected it for the Central Market Company, which had been organized in 1887 by John F. Irvin with a fixed capital stock of $45,000. The structure is rectangular, with two square towers flanking a main section under a hip roof with gabled dormers. Its round-headed windows, semicircular radiating arches, and detailed brickwork in stretcher bond are typical of the Romanesque Revival style. The market replaced earlier open-air farm wagon selling and small sheds that had obstructed street traffic. It is regarded as a significant example of the Romanesque Revival style in York, and it remains one of two market houses still operating in the city. Its heavy massing and large scale also contrast with the smaller residential buildings around it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant as a late 19th-century public market house that has served York's farmers and city residents for many years, and as an example of Romanesque Revival architecture designed by John Dempwolf. Its size and heavy massing are described as unusual for the neighborhood.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78002488, listed June 9, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Philadelphia and Beaver Sts., York |
|---|---|
| County | York County |
| Listed | June 9, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002488 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1888 |
| Architect / builder | John Dempwolf (architect); George Yinger (builder) |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The statement of significance says the market has been and still is highly successful and is one of two market houses still in operation in York. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Within district | York Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.96289, -76.72945 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78002488.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8055385
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.