Results tagged “Mason-Dixon Line” from York Town Square

This York (Pa.) Gazette story from Aug. 29, 1901, tells about the first night baseball game played in York - and probably York County. Special rules were put in for this game. Background posts: Sons of Union vets seeking relatives of Civil War soldier from U.S. Colored Troops, 32nd Regiment and York's American War Mothers monument captures interest and Adding to York baseball timeline: Revs ready for 'second helping'

Officials are looking for ways to give York's Penn Park new life.

The relatively light use of the city park today can shroud its heavy use throughout history.

For example, it was the place where freedman from the South headed upon reaching York, north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

It housed a large Civil War military hospital.

And, on a lighter note, a ballpark, complete with grandstand, home of a Penn Park team, operated there. It was there that York's first night baseball game was played in late August 1901... .

This photo combines the beauty and the grit of the Susquehanna Trail. This ice is colored gray with road grime along the Trail in William Kain County Park. Background posts: Hames made in Shrewsbury Township's Hametown fueled early American horsepower and Once popular Ganoga Bridge now lightly used York County landmark and Whatever happened to York County's Hungerford?.

The Susquehanna Trail enters York County in Fairview Township in its northern tip and exits in Shrewsbury Township at the Mason-Dixon Line.

It's beauty is well-known, and it still serves a pleasant Sunday afternoon drive.

But last Sunday, later in the day, its dangers emerged.

A boy was killed after he was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle in Springfield Township.

The hilly, curvy, still heavily traveled road has long been a source of accidents.

What is the Susquehanna Trail - often called the "Trail" - and where does it run?... .

A Revolutionary War prisoner of war camp grew up near the present 204th Street in New York City. York County history spokesman believe a local camp, Camp Security in present-day Springettsbury Township, was constructed in similar fasion. Terraces used in such camp are visable today, the spokesmen say. (Photo courtesy of New York Historical Society.) Background posts: The Four Bloggers write and PS Harrisburg grad school: 'Set my feet even more firmly on the path into the world of Fraktur' and Opportunities in York County to feed your sense of discovery.

When fellow blogger and York Sunday News columnist June Lloyd tackles a topic, you know you're getting the latest, best research on an issue.

The former York County Heritage Trust archivist has put up several posts linked to current events that merit a lengthy look: ...

Then-Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama took a tour of the Voith Siemens Hydro Power Plant, in September 2008. His inauguration meant full houses at some York County hotels. (See additional photo below.) Background posts: Thomas Chatman Jr., pioneering police chief: 'I thank God and the citizens of York for the opportunity to serve them' and In 2008, 8 top candidates or their families campaigned in York County and York freedman Aquilla Howard chosen to honor slain Abraham Lincoln.

In my last York Sunday News column (1/18/09), I provide a glimpse at moments when York County pushed against newcomers of color.

I contrasted that with recent efforts tied to President Obama's inauguration to bring outsiders - perhaps many diverse outsiders - into the area.

The motivator behind the inauguration push?

Visitors would help the economy.

Interesting, freedmen's alleged negative impact on the economy was an argument used against such visitors in the Civil War era.

Here's how I develop all this:

This map showing the early stages of the Confederate invasion in June 1863 also shows the roughly triangular shape of York County. In the next five days, the Confederates crossing all of York County except for the southeastern angle - the Delta-Peach Bottom area. (See additional image below.) Background posts: Rebs' short visit creates long memories, A square courthouse in the middle of York's Centre Square, 20 questions and answers prove your York smarts.

The Yellow Breeches Creek carves a ragged northwest border for York County. And Beaver Creek forms part of its western border. The Susquehanna River creates the eastern border and the legendary Mason-Dixon Line its southern.

So, what shape is York County as a result of these geographical influences?

My shorthand version is to call it triangular. In times when its decision-makers have been less than astute, I've also called it triangular with the northern part, its head, sleepily nodding off... .

Dale and Gloria Oxley bought York County's most southwest corner property in 1972. Their land included land in York, Adams and Carroll. This nearby monument marks the Mason-Dixon Line, with 'P' facing north toward Pennsylvania.

York Daily Record photographer Bil Bowden managed to find four corners in triangular-shaped York County.

His photo and story package, published in the York Daily Record, today found the owners of properties at the county's extremes.

Here's his intro that keyed in to a sweeping story and wonderful photos that tied together York County's past and future: