In the Heart of School Lane Hills on Quarry Lane

Nestled in the heart of the School Lane Hills neighborhood,1319 Quarry Lane is steeped in stories and charm. Just a short walk from Downtown Lancaster, Buchanan Park, F&M College, and Lancaster Country Day School, the updated home features an inviting dining room with a bay window, a completely revamped kitchen with granite countertops, tile backsplash, and stainless appliances as well as a custom pantry and skylight-lit spacious family dining room. 

The updated kitchen and private patio:

The minute the current owner, Kate Gallagher, stepped in the door she fell in love with the overflowing abundance of natural charm and potential this home had. Located in School Lane Hills, 1319 Quarry Lane, the surrounding neighborhood sealed the deal and made it the perfect place for the Gallagher’s new home. 

Kate grew up in Lancaster, moved around for a bit, and then found her way back to the county to raise her own family close to big cities, the ocean, and relatives—all characteristics that she treasures about Lancaster, PA as it’s close to everything dear to her. The home itself features two wood-burning fireplaces, refinished hardwood, and a private rear yard and patio complete with mature landscaping and trees.

Refinished hardwood, bathroom, and family room updates:

The beautiful tree-lined streets of School Lane Hills are intentionally family-friendly. Staying connected as a community is important for this little corner of Lancaster; they even have a monthly publication available to keep residents up to date with new happenings! With annual Easter egg hunts and social activities, this neighborhood is ideal for families. 

Originally built in 1940, Kate knew of the previous owners from her deed, but it was through get-togethers that she learned more about the house’s history. “One of the things I thought was so cool about the house—that I would never have expected—was that when we moved in, we would have parties a couple of times each year, and so many people that came to the house had a story about the house. I remember one of my girlfriend’s who came over had said, ‘Oh my gosh, I used to babysit the kids that lived here!’ Someone else said, ‘The folks that lived here a while back—the husband was a physician and my husband was a physician, and we used to come here for dinner parties!’ We had so many people who would come through the house and have a cool thing to share about it prior to us living in it.”

Kate shared, “What I love about the house and why we bought it is a combination of how charming it is—it’s such a cute looking house, and we saw lots of potential inside to make it a little more updated and modern while still maintaining its character—and the location. We would often walk into town as there are so many places to walk because it’s right on the West side of the city. The neighborhood is so charming and established too. It has such a nice feel to it.”

During the 7 years the Gallaghers spent in School Lane Hills, the family transformed 1319 Quarry Lane’s layout into a beautiful, updated home. The house’s original layout was very strange. So, when the Gallagher family moved in, they removed a hallway with various doors going in all different directions, stripped the walls of 90s style wallpaper, and re-did the master bedroom and the main bath to help create a better flow for the home.

Before renovations:

Additionally, the Gallaghers knocked down a huge wall and turned the coat closet into a pantry for the kitchen, making a very open layout directly into the kitchen. On Superbowl Sunday, the Ganses came over for dinner, and Jeremy exclaimed, “Let’s take down the wall before the Superbowl!” Jeremy brought a ton of supplies, and they knocked down the wall together. “Before knocking down the wall, there was a real disconnect between where everyone was in the house and what they were doing. You couldn’t see people or hear them,” Kate shared, “But when the wall came down, it was so much brighter. I’d be cooking, the kids could sit at the table, and I could see them. We were all interacting because we were all together in the same space.” 

The spacious kitchen and dining area and the living room after renovations:

While the Gallaghers are now selling the home, it’s not for the lack of memories and love they have for the home. The family moved for a larger property with more space, but they’re eager to share their own fond stories with the next residents who will create stories of their own.

The Jeremy Ganse Team is delighted to be a part of creating 1319 Quarry Lane’s next story, and the charming, updated Lancaster home has plenty to offer its next owners. For a closer look at the home, check out this virtual tour given by Kate!

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