Charlie Smithgall

Charles W. Smithgall (September 20, 1945 – October 18, 2022) was an American politician, pharmacist, and businessman. Smithgall served as the mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for two terms from January 1998 until January 3, 2006. He is credited with spearheading several major infrastructure and redevelopment projects throughout Lancaster, including the conversion of the then-vacant Watt & Shand department store into the Lancaster County Convention Center and Marriott Hotel, as well as the construction of Clipper Magazine Stadium, the main Queen Street Station of the Red Rose Transit Authority, and Binns Park.

Smithgall, a Civil War re-enactor, was considered an expert on antique cannons and artillery. He acquired one of the largest private collections of cannons in the United States, including the single largest privately held collection of the artillery from the American Civil War.

Biography Early life and education Smithgall was born in Lancaster and graduated from J. P. McCaskey High School in 1963. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, which is now known as the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, in 1968. Smithgall lost a bid for a third term in the 2009 mayoral election and the 2013 mayoral election.

Canons and artillery An enthusiast of the American Civil War, Smithgall was a Civil War re-enactor from 1961. He worked as a consultant for several documentaries and films on the Civil War, including the 1993 movie, Gettysburg, in which he also appeared on screen as an artillery commander,