1850s: September 2009 Archives

The York Fair is rolling around again, with its entertainment, rides, animals, games, races, food and prizes. Take a stroll around the exhibition halls. The fair continues a long tradition of giving out awards for York County's best. Talented Glenalvin Goodridge was winning prizes for his photography over 150 years ago. His ambrotypes, described below, were exceptional, as can be seen by one of his original ambrotypes in the photo above. The article is from the October 30, 1855 York Gazette.

Apple developed by James Hersh of neighboring Adams County, c.1880

Over the years, York area people have taken pride in their fruit and vegetables, growing gigantic specimens or even developing new strains. Click on these links for previous posts on the York Imperial Apple and York Imperial Cherry.

Mr. Cicero proudly grew figs in his East King Street back yard in 1950s. A previous post showed Christian Leaman's 1809 pumpkin, as big as a barrel. George Anstine, of Lower Windsor Township, was not to be outdone. According to the York Gazette of October 30, 1855, Anstine brought his prize quince in to the newspaper office to be admired. According to the resulting article (see below), he also grew some pretty big apples. For comparison--I just weighed a very large peach and it only weighed half a pound.