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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Prosperity seems to have come to the York County of 140 years ago, if the ads in the December 31, 1867 issue of the York Gazette are any indication.

Entrepreneurs and agents from New York, Philadelphia, Maryland, and Adams County were offering investment opportunities.

Real estate was enticingly offered by New Oxford Agent J. C. Zouck as an appeal to:

“CAPITALISTS
LOOK TO YOUR INTEREST!”

Posted in 1860s Adams County Frederick Co., MD New Oxford Universal York York Springs advertising agriculture architecture business commerce farming merchants prices railroads real estate

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The Woman’s Club of York (yes, it is Woman’s not Women’s) is rededicating its refurbished home this week. The club, in the 200 block of East Market Street, is celebrating its recovery from a disastrous fire a little over six months ago. The club was originally dedicated 90 years ago this week.

While researching the previous owner of the house, Civil War pension attorney Hugh Whiteford McCall, for a York Sunday News column, I became intrigued with the high-style home. I wondered where McCall stopped and the Woman’s Club started in the fabric of the building. An article in the October 20, 1917 York Gazette, describes the Woman’s Club dedication the previous evening and answers a lot of architectural questions.

The renovations, under the direction of architect John B. Hamme, are described in detail: “The interior of the residence has been extensively remodeled, partitions have been removed and new ones have been built. The former parlor and library have been thrown into one, and a wide hall has been built from the front hall to the new assembly hall; the main staircase has been altered and a portion rebuilt. Two new toilet rooms have been placed on the second floor and a new bath room has been built on the third story for the new apartments on that floor. New parquet floors have been laid in the new parlor, portions of the dining room and the new hall to the assembly hall, and all the floors have been gone over, republished and finished.”

Posted in 1910s Universal York York City architecture clubs history organizations women

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