On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Long's Park Amphitheater, Gregg Scott, well-known local architect and columnist, told us the fascinating story of the Long Family, Long's Park, and the Amphitheater which he likens to a giant grasshopper, albeit an artistic and well-engineered grasshopper. First, he introduced us to Judge Henry G. Long and his family. It was Long’s wealth that passed from the Judge Long Estate & Trust after his daughter Catharine’s death to create Long Park's and The Long Home. During her lifetime, Catharine built the Long Mansion we see today and know as the Hamilton Club. The lake at Long's Park was called Lake Catharine. The idea of an “Amphitheater" began in 1957. The architects chosen for the project were Coleman & Coleman, which Scott was affiliated with. Besides being beautiful and a radical departure from Lancaster’s traditional architecture, the Amphitheater was also an engineering marvel. Most people don't know about the steel base buried under that stage, as show in red above, which was designed to anchor the vaulting steel beams that support the ceiling and roof while withstanding strong wind loads. The beautiful ceiling is formed from identical triangular acoustic panels.  The Park and Amphitheater have continued to serve the community well every year, except during the pandemic.