1820s: June 2008 Archives

William Wagner Drawing of 1830 York County Courthouse.

I'm certainly not advocating crime, but when you think of it, salaries for all those policemen, jailers, judges, and attorneys do add to the economy. Building and upkeep of the prisons and courthouses, feeding the prisoners, and all the other fees associated with the justice system also supply work for a lot of people.

I haven't checked the probably astronomical costs today, but take a look at the crime and court related expenditures below from the 1825-1826 York County budget report, as published in the York Recorder. They make up quite a chunk of the costs for that year.

You rode a horse or took the stage. Mention stagecoach and the first picture that comes to my mind is the old west with Indians or robbers chasing the stage--too many John Wayne movies in my childhood. We easterners travelled by stage too, except rough, muddy roads were the worst hazards encountered in these parts.

Click here to read about trains out of, and into, York County. And here to read about the first railroad to reach York.

When Thomas McGrath opened his Globe Inn in 1821, his ad in the York Recorder featured not only the accommodations, but also a new Stage Office. He offers:

York County, Pennsylvania wasn’t just about farmers and merchants and trying to win a lottery. Click here for previous post on lotteries.

For example, in 1826 a multi-talented young woman was in town to teach both the French language and the art of dancing.