There is a long-time, cherished market of great acclaim in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It was even voted the second-best farmers’ market in the country in USA Today’s “10 Best” readers’ poll in recent years, and also boasts an enduring reputation as one of the nation’s oldest ongoing markets. I’m referring to the one and only Green Dragon Farmers Market and Auction in Ephrata.
With a continuous operational tenure of 90+ years and still going strong, the Green Dragon remains an optimal community stable and must-do attraction for visitors of all ages and interests. While there is so much to be said about the vast versatility that makes the market of today such a premium destination, many of the market’s major milestones from long ago also played key roles in its overall assembly. Yet the whole story remains largely obscured, in the shadows, and often forgotten in its entirety. That’s why, for this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m shedding light on the full picture by sharing a developmental timeline of the Green Dragon’s backstory.
An Auto Repair Shop at First
Most people are surprised to learn that the Green Dragon Farmers Market and Auction got its start as an auto repair shop. Or more accurately, the property on which the stately market now operates formerly housed an auto repair shop. While not much is known today about the circa 1920s auto repair shop that once existed here, historic records indicate that it was situated along Route 272, one mile north of Ephrata. Maps confirm this was the land on which Green Dragon now occupies.
Noah Burkholder is on record as having owned the property back in the 1920s. He was the very same owner who oversaw auto repair shop operations before “shifting gears” to eventually establish a farmer’s market on location. That decision came about later, though, in the spring of 1932. Before that was to be, however, land ownership would shift two more times, and the property would be subject to various climatic happenings.
Dining and Wining
After just three years of unsuccessfully trying to make a go at it, Burkholder folded his auto repair business and rented part of his land to Lottie Hess. Hess intended to operate a restaurant but was also unsuccessful in his conquests.
The property was sold sometime during the late 1920s to one John Schreck. His endeavors were more successful, converting the existing building into a thriving roadhouse. It was also under his ownership that the lucrative operation gained its famous new name, “the Green Dragon.”
Schreck assigned the fiery new moniker to his establishment after having been inspired by a former Chinese restaurant he once visited in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He likewise designed his new restaurant in the style of Asian décor and Eastern legends and influences.
Like many establishments throughout the country at that time, Schreck’s Green Dragon doubled as an underground speakeasy operation. That all came to an end, however, in March of 1930, when Prohibition agents raided the building. A pint of liquor and 814 bottles of beer were confiscated. Schreck was sentenced in federal court to serve 60 days in prison the following year.
From Mischief to Market
Schreck’s roadhouse (and underground speakeasy operation) shuttered when he was jailed. And that was when former owner Noah Burkholder stepped in to buy the property back and repurpose it into a new endeavor. So, on March 11, 1932, a new legacy took shape in the form of the Ephrata Farmers Market and Auction.
This new development proved to be the site’s most lucrative stint of all. As it emerged, the market gained a reputable renown as both a buyer’s and seller’s haven. Sales would take place every week on Friday.
Despite having discovered new success as a premium market of fine distinction, the former building’s notability in being referred to as “the Green Dragon” couldn’t be shaken. The name just stuck. Fortunately, its former infamy was scraped away—replaced by the positive redevelopments that unfolded here.
Expansions to the market continued through the years, with Burkholder selling once again, this time to Paul Stoner, in 1945. The market’s size increased more under the new owner’s direction. These expansions also included the featured goods that they became known for. The market now vended in anything and everything, from appliances to construction tools and whatever else worked.
Heroic Side Hustles and Staging Events
In addition to its fame and acclaim as an optimal area market, the Green Dragon started doubling as the location for hosting firefighter training on its grounds. With space to spare, large fires were staged to test Lancaster County’s fire companies’ new equipment and safety techniques. This practice continued for decades. These orchestrated events continued for several decades.
The Green Dragon hosted an even more dramatic training event, though, back in 1951. It took the form of a Cold War-era drill in which a formation of Civil Air Patrol planes was instructed to fly overhead, targeting the Green Dragon’s parking lot specifically with flour-based bombs.
The stunt incorporated dozens of doctors, nurses, and emergency personnel. Innumerable volunteers also participated in the event.
Enter the Dragon!
The market came under new ownership again in 1961. Under the new direction, John Hamaker incorporated Larry Loose and William Rohrbach as managers. That was also around the time that the market received its iconic 7-foot-tall, 15-foot-long fire-breathing dragon addition to its signage on Route 272. The dragon originally served as a parade float before its 1964 installation.
The dragon received a paint job and underwent minor repairs through the years. Its most iconic refurbishment was in 1993.
The Green Dragon’s Enduring Legacy
The Green Dragon Farmers Market & Auction remains a beloved area attraction and stable, drawing in thousands of eager customers and vendors annually. The market comprises 60 spacious areas, including 30+ acres of free parking, and is now famous as one of the largest markets on the East Coast.
The market still operates solely on Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring a wealth of versatile vendors with setups located both indoors and outdoors. Seven buildings make up the site and include on-site food, restrooms, and more.
Whatever you come here seeking, you’ll be sure to find it, guaranteed. And along the way, you’ll find even more—a cherished, memorable experience beyond compare. Discover this enchanting endeavor for yourself at 955 N State St, Ephrata, PA 17522. Learn more on the website at www.greendragonmarket.com.