Results tagged “Sovereign Bank Stadium” from York Town Square

This image comes from the front of the Eastern State Penitentiary brochure. The long-closed Philadelphia prison was America's first penitentiary, constructed to inspire penitence in those detained. It's now a museum raising the question about whether York County, Pa.'s old jail could be used for fundraising purposes. Other posts of interest: Old York County, Pa., jail on endangered list and Prison listing brings back food loaf memories and 'There were only so many cells in that old stone prison.

Look east from several points at York's Sovereign Bank Stadium, and you'll see a fortress-like, ruddy building rising high well beyond the outfield fence.

That's York County's old Chestnut Street Prison, vacated in 1979, when inmates were moved to a brand-new lockup near the county-owned Pleasant Acres in Springettsbury Township.

The old jail has been for sale for many years. One prospect considered making it a restaurant. Some places - Boston, for example - have converted old prisons into apartments.

The old building is difficult and expensive to knock down because its built, well, like a prison... .

Baseball great Brooks Robinson is seen in his York (Pa.) White Roses uniform in 1955. His statue can be seen everyday in Brooks Robinson Plaza at York's Sovereign Bank Stadium. Background posts: Brooks Robinson - and stories about his York, Pa., pro debut - enduring and York Town Square reader: 'I thought Vic Wertz had some connection to York?' and Baseball's Methuselah played for White Roses.

True or false?

Brooks Robinson broke into professional baseball in York and went to the majors and greatness after a short gig here, never to return to minor league baseball?

The answer is .... .

These ornate iron pieces atop the York Elks porch are the type of fine metal work adorning the organization's 233 N. George St. building. (See related image below.) Background posts: York County ... 'A smorgasbord of architectural styles' and York County's connection to the French Quarter and Collector searching for Western Maryland Railroad memorabilia and When the bridge over the Codorus moved

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My recent post - Plaques offer historic insight into 'The Swamp,' before Sovereign Bank Stadium drained it - provides a historic look at York's Arch Street area.

But for those parking at Small's Field, north of Codorus Creek, or in the downtown area, south of the creek, their stroll to the park affords many landmarks scrutinize.

My York Sunday News column for July 1, 2007, covers interesting sites as one moves into or out of The Swamp... .

Students at the Second Arch Street Public School are ready to celebrate May Day in 1952. The old one-room school, then used as a church, was torn down to make way for the children's play area of Sovereign Bank Stadium. Background posts: Season 2 of York's long comeback campaign, York has Brooks Robinson statue. Where's Baltimore's? and Sovereign Bank Stadium posts from the start.

Fans arriving a bit early at Sovereign Bank Stadium should take a moment to enjoy 10 plaques displayed around the ballpark's perimeter.

This walking tour highlights some of the rail-related and other historic sites that marked the stadium area.

For example, the outer stadium fence that parallels the outfield fence tells about: ... .

Bill Kirk, left, a former York White Roses coach, looks on as Curly Holtzapple, center, greets Brooks Robinson before the York Revolution's first home game at Sovereign Bank Stadim in June 2007. Filmmaker Brian Plow tells the story of how the stadium came into being in "Home." Background posts: Will Sovereign Bank of York stadium name fame lose its crown?, Map explains York, Pa.'s $50 million redevelopment area and Phillies in York via 30-ft. TV: 'Isn't going to the ballpark the best part about a baseball game?' .

The title of Brian Plow's documentary film "Home: The American Dream, the American Pastime and Urban Renewal in York, Pennsylvania" is long but its exploration of the return of baseball to York is far from ponderous, moving quickly.

But if viewers want an even quicker version of this full-length documentary, the filmmaker prepared a condensed version for the York Daily Record/Sunday News Web site, www.inyork.com/ydr:

A York Daily Record/Sunday News story about the film (9/13/08) follows:

The York Revolution take on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs during a game during the 2008 season at York's Sovereign Bank Stadium. The video board in the background will display an upcoming Philadelphia Phillies World Series game. For more information, please call 717-801-HITS (4487), or visit the Revolution online at www.YorkRevolution.com. Background post: York has Brooks Robinson statue. Where's Baltimore's?, Batter up, pass the hot dog: York relishes the Revolution, Stadium will be site of The Oaks music reunion.

Sovereign Bank Stadium officials are finding good use for their ballpark, home of the York Revolution.

They've accommodated a kickball tournament, a Crop Walk and a Class of '66 William Penn High School reunion.

Now, the stadium will become York's largest TV set this week, as Wednesday's Phillies vs. either Tampa Bay or Boston game will be shown on its video board. There will be no admission cost.

This Oct. 22 game marks a return of the Phillies to the World Series after a 15-year drought... .

Sovereign Bank Stadium rises from "the Swamp" in May 2007. That's the former York railroad station in the foreground and Small Field at top. Background posts: Film weaves threads of York, baseball, stadium and neighborhood change, POW Camp Security site: 'There's a lot of history waiting to be discovered' and Small Field missed a shining moment but could again claim a ray of York County's spotlight.

Writers, including this one, have noted the irony of a baseball team named Revolution playing in a ballpark Sovereign Bank Stadium that touts a monarchy. Such a stadium name in York, proud of its role in aiding and abetting American revolutionaries, adds to the fun.

And one could argue, perhaps loosely, that patriots fought the Revolution to prevent Britains imposition of eminent domain on the Colonies. Sovereign Bank Stadium backers used eminent domain to secure land for the ballpark... .

In resolving one of the many issues he inherited as York's mayor, John Brenner tells Hattie Dickson, Lillie Belle Allen's sister, that 'we are sorry for your loss' during a 2005 news conference after the city settled a civil rights lawsuit with Allen's family. Allen was a victim of the 1969 race riots in York. Brenner said this week that he would not seek re-election next year for a third term. Background posts: Meeting of riot victims brought racial accord, Mayor: 'We're going to clean up this site' and York Charrette or charade?

Time needs to pass before a full assessment of John Brenner's mayorship can be undertaken.

But clearly his administration signals the importance of a committed and competent mayor of York.

Brenner's chief legacy may show that he took over the shambles of mayor Charlie Robertson's administration and ran a semblance of order through racial and financial chaos... .

A marker designates home plate as York's new Sovereign Bank Stadium was constructed around it. York officials - and many residents in York County - are hoping the return of baseball helps drive a stake through the heart of the economic struggle that sometimes confronts the city. Background posts: 400 years ago, John Smith explored Chesapeake Bay - 1 of 31 iconic images, New baseball diamond serves as York cornerstone - 20/31iconic photos and First pitch could break link with York race riots.

In the past two "Connections" editions, we have assembled colorful layouts showing the Murals of York and paintings of key figures with York connections in the American Revolution.

For this year's special publication, our spread will show 20 images that help define York County.

Now, we've added four more sets of iconic photos to the mix.

These photos connect with a major plank in York city officials' platform for the city's renaissance - baseball... .

York Revolution pitcher Matt Ford, left, leads his teammates through the fence in center field for the York, Pa., team's home opener. Background posts: Revs will easily pass 1969's full-season attendance stats, 'Just try Bob, almost everybody's named Bob', and York Revs could help teach about American Revs.

Continuing the series of telling York County, Pa.'s, history through images: ... .

The Smyser-Royer building on York's North Street will be restored under the Northwest Triangle plan. Other historic buildings slated for restoration include: the old post office building on Philadelphia and North Beaver streets and the Keystone Color Works building, Gas Avenue. Background post: York County's Connection to the French Quarter and York's mayor about Northwest Triangle: 'We're going to clean up this site ... ' and A historic York walking tour of the Sovereign Bank stadium area.

York's new baseball stadium acts as a kind of hinge between two budding Codorus Creek-front projects.

To the east, the site of the former Graybill building and nearby former York County prison are being eyed for redevelopment.

To the west, the $50 million Northwest Triangle project offers a range of possibilities: restored historic properties, townhomes, offices and retail space.

Interesting, part of the development site was explored as a location for the stadium.

A you-just-got-to-look-at-map explains the project area, and yorktownsquare.com posts exploring several of its noteworthy or historic features follow: