Variety Iron Works from 1868-69 city directory at York County Heritage Trust

I am glad to see that some of the remaining buildings of the Smyser-Royer Variety Iron Works complex are part of York City’s Northwest Triangle redevelopment project.

One of my York Sunday News columns outlined the metamorphosis of the company from a small stove manufacturer to a huge fabricator of mill gears and turbines; garden benches, fountains, and statuary; cast iron buildings fronts; light posts; lacy iron railings, such as the famous ones in New Orleans; iron bridge parts; and much more. You can read that column below.

Then I just came across an article in an 1867 York Gazette that added even more variety to the company’s products.

Posted in 1840s 1850s 1860s 1880s 1940s Universal York York City architecture buildings industry iron manufacturing steam power

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Hartman Building Revealed March 2008
Miller View With Spectators in the Cupola

You can’t miss the news that the Hartman Building in the Square of York is going to get a drastic facelift. It has been reported in print, on TV and online. I also whipped out my camera when I walked by the other day, struck by the sight of the impressive stone keystone lintels and sturdy bricks that had been covered by metal siding all those years.

I read the news stories that the owner, commendably, plans to restore the building. But then I started to look at the various incarnations and wonder which one will be chosen. Six stories or seven? Cupola or no cupola?

The site has been drawn, photographed, and made into postcards as much as any in York County over the past 200 years. I picked six out of the many views available to share with you. See below for more.

Which Hartman building do you like best?

Posted in 1830s 1880s 1890s 1900s Lewis Miller Universal York York City architecture buildings

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The incident described below is possibly depicted in the background of this Lewis Miller drawing of "Old Mr. Rudyseal" offering his assistance to General Kilpatrick near Hanover.

One hundred twenty-five years ago, in 1882, the Gazette reported, under Hanover news, that a few weeks before a sword was plowed up on Karl Forney’s farm, which adjoined the town.

Posted in 1860s 1880s Civil War Hanover Universal York York County soldiers

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One hundred and twenty-five years ago there was excitement in Glen Rock, according to an article in the Glen Rock Item, which was reprinted in the York Gazette of November 28, 1882.

A new steam engine had arrived to bring York County agriculture into the automated age. According to the tone of awe in which the article is written, this might have been one of the first steam engines in that area. It certainly seems to have been the first traction steam engine, one that could move under its own power, ever seen climbing the hills of Glen Rock, as the following description attests:

Posted in 1880s Glen Rock Universal York agriculture industry manufacturing steam power transportation

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