Today’s fun images came along with a letter from Bob Steindl of Pompano Beach, Florida.
Bob writes, “My wife Priscilla and I are ex-Yorkers, now living in Florida. Friends from back home send us articles from the newspapers quite often. The most recent was your article about movie memories etc. which we enjoyed very much. Brings back memories.”
He continues, “Enclosed are some old York postcards which you might be interested in writing about.”
Bob’s five postcards were really amazing. I’ve included the images from the fronts of them below. Interestingly, three were actually sent cards with writing and postmarks; I’ve included the details I have in the captions as well.
The back of this postcard says: "The Valencia Ballroom, York, Pennsylvania, One of America's Largest and Finest Ballrooms. Valencia's air conditioning system, rare artistic beauty, congenial and genteel social atmosphere, and courteous service are all conducive to making the dance more enjoyable. Valencia invites you to hear the music of America's greatest dance orchestras which are presented every week. The card has a penciled-on date of 1929 and was part of the "C.T. Art-Colortone" series made by Curt Teich & Co. of Chicago.
This postcard is of The Bon-Ton's former location in downtown York. It's a "Commercialchrome" card published by Fair & Square Bargain House of York, PA. It was mailed by Lucy Snyder of East King Street, York, to Freda Hatt of Annville, Ohio, with a postmark date of Oct. 18, 1917. Postage cost? One cent. You might remember we talked about this same postcard image before, back in December 2010.
This postcard is of York's Center Square, seen looking southwest. This card's image was by "C.T. American Art" and it was published by "Fair & Square Bargain House" of York. This card was also sent from Mrs. Snyder to Freda, this time on July 7, 1916.
This postcard is titled "A Snapshot on York Fairgrounds, York Pa." Unless I'm totally mistaken, this is essentially the same grandstand (seen at right), looking as if you're standing near Highland Avenue. If today's fairgrounds were overlaid, to the left and center now would be Horticultural Hall and Old Main. This card was written on but not mailed. There is what we tentatively believe to be a date on the back, possibly "20-9-8" or Sept. 8, 1920, but it's not quite clear. This card was made by the Illustrated Postal Card Co.
This postcard is of York Manufacturing Co., described on the card as "Largest Plant in the World Devoted to Building Ice Making and Refrigerating Machinery Exclusively, York, Pa." The image is by C.T. American Art, and the card, which was unsent, was published by M.J. Shambaugh, York, PA. Another neat and perhaps more personal older image from the same company is here.
Bob, thank you so much for sharing these cards with us. It’s so fun to see these scenes from the past!
My name is Joan and I'm a lifelong Yorker. Throughout high school and college, I swore I was getting out of here as soon as possible. Now, a few years later, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. I love my town. And, as a local editor, I hear every day how much you love your towns, too. So please, connect with me and let's share what makes life in York County great. I'm here to help you enjoy this place as much as I do!
I’m curious–when all those trolleys converge in the square from different directions at the same time–who has the right-of-way. Does size matter like boats & ships? How is it determined?