About this blog
As a local historian, writer and photo- grapher, I look at York County’s history in visual terms. For more than 15 years I’ve been enamored with local buildings and the stories behind their facades – from prominent architecture to non-assuming buildings, their walls and roofs are filled with stories just waiting to be told. Whether giving a downtown York walking tour, exploring the history of a local building for my job at the Nutec Group, or taking photos for an upcoming coffee table book, I’m always looking for those unique “windows” into York County’s past and present. — Scott Butcher
Monthly Archives: December 2007
Dog’s Wool, Swingling Tow & The York Christmas Tree
The use of evergreens as holiday decorations dates back thousands of years to when ancient Romans and Egyptians used evergreens as part of their Winter Solstice celebrations. The first known decorated Christmas Tree was in Latvia in 1510. An evergreen … Continue reading
Posted in General History
Leave a comment
Centre Square, 1756
When York County was created from Lancaster in 1749, five commissioners were named and charged with the task of forming the county. One of their assignments was to find land suitable for a courthouse, acquire it, and construct a building. … Continue reading
Posted in Continental Square
Leave a comment
Centre Square, 1755
Around 1750, York residents began holding open markets in Centre Square. According to Gibson’s 1886 “History of York County, Pennsylvania,” the “custom of holding markets on Wednesday and Saturday in the center square of York, has been kept up without … Continue reading
Posted in 18th Century, Continental Square
Leave a comment
Centre Square, 1741
Starting today, Windows Into York will begin a series about the evolution of Continental Square, or Centre Square, from the laying out of York to the Square of today. The “Square,” as most residents call it, has always been the … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
The Window is Open
Well, it’s been a quiet couple of weeks here at “Windows into York,” as I’ve been busy finalizing two books. The “homestretch” can be quite a process – proofing, editing, revising, proofing, editing, revising… One of the books, tentatively entitled … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
