On a lovely evening I gather up my family for a short walk.  We head downtown.  The smell of chocolate and pretzels still lingers in the air. 

Many business are open and we stop to visit, to buy a gift for dad's birthday and just to window shop. We love the new stores and galleries, but we also count on our old favorites.

A group of tourists, just finished with dinner and returning to their lodgings, pauses to chat with some local residents. They marvel at our town.

After feeding the ducks at the park we stroll along the creek and admire the new construction and the recent renovations.

We're proud of how our expanded commercial area blends with the history and scale of this town. Back on Main Street, the lights on second floors begin to shine as residents settle in.

We run into neighbors who invite us to join them on Saturday for the community event that will fill this space. Our walk almost over, I smile as I understand the essence of small town living. This downtown is the heart of my community and holds a special place in my heart.
 

Lititz is nestled in the heart land of rich farming country in Lancaster County. The earliest settlers were Swiss-German Mennonites in 1710 who fled religious persecution in Europe. They were quickly followed by the Moravians and Amish. They built old stone mills, wooden covered bridges and log homes. Many 18th Century town buildings have been wonderfully restored and can be enjoyed as you walk through town. Numerous local farms have been owned perpetually by the same families for 200 years.

Lancaster County has thrived over the years and now is home to people who speak over 26 different languages. A strong work ethic and a boundless spirit of generosity from individuals and community service organizations has maintained and strenghtened the economy and ecology of Lititz.
 

www.moravian.org/history/

History of the Lititz Moravian Church & Community

www.lititzmoravian.org/Pages/LititzHistory.html

One of the early settlers in the Lititz area in 1734 was Jacob Hess who bought 200 acres of land from the sons of William Penn. Clark Hess, a grandson from the 21st Century, restored the homesite to its original log cabin design.