Recent news reports have brought attention to the small town of Stephenville, Texas, near Fort Worth. Many of the town’s citizens – including business owners and police – have reported Unidentified Flying Objects in the sky. Several accounts state that F-16s were seen chasing the UFOs. Perhaps this is a mystery that only Agents Scully and Mulder can solve.

York’s own X-Files were created in July 1952, with reports of Flying Saucers hitting the local newspapers. On July 29, residents reported seeing “a light of the ‘flying saucer’ variety” moving from North York towards Emigsville and Mt. Wolf.

The UFO was described as a “spinning plate” that was round when hovering and oblong when moving.

Some residents estimated the object to be five or ten feet in diameter, while others felt that it was so small because the UFO was several miles distant.

Soon, however, the mystery was apparently solved. A resident of Shiloh came forward and stated that he and some friends had been regularly parking their cars near the Hershey Heights north of Shiloh, and playing with spotlights pointed toward the clouds.

Less than two years later, UFOs were again in the news. This time, two reporters for The Gazette and Daily witnessed the object, which they believed was a meteor or falling star. Still, the local police forwarded the reports to the Air Force.

In July 1954, Flying Saucers were seen over the Elmwood area; interestingly, these UFOs were described as “illuminated birds.”

Posted in

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (0)

Big changes came to Centre Square in 1793 with the addition of a second building. Known as the “State House,” this two-story Federal building was constructed to the east of the existing courthouse. Why was it called the State House? That answer appears somewhat elusive, as the building housed offices of the deputy surveyors, recorder of deeds, and a repository of land records including warrants, surveys, and land titles. The building was perhaps more appropriately known as the County Land Office. An 1899 newspaper article did put forth one explanation:

“The little building adjoining on the east was commonly known as the ‘state’ house. It is not generally known, but it was called so from the fact that the state’s papers were preserved within its walls.”

The article provided no detail on the state papers that were reportedly stored there.

The building itself was smaller than the adjacent courthouse, but what it lacked in size it added in architectural detail – something vastly different from its simple neighbor. Nineteenth century artists Lewis Miller and William Wagner both provided detailed depictions of the building. Miller went a step further and added a caption:

“Old State house, is called County Office, build 1793. this Building was ornamented on top in the Style of a large torch twisted, carved of wood, in the year 1814. John Miller, Adam Leitmer and Lewis Miller Carpenter’s the took them down, the was in State of ruin, the carpenter work of ths building was done by Peter Streber, taken down in the year 1841 by Jacob. Dietz.”

Miller’s colorful sketches provide a detailed account of York in the early and mid-19th century; however, his style is considered “folk art” – his was a free form approach that was more concerned with the subject itself than a totally accurate depiction in terms of scale and perspective. Miller also drew from memory or even from the memories and stories of others.

William Wagner, on the other hand, was extremely accurate in his detailing. It is believed that he used “camera obscura,” a technique that essentially created a mirrored image that could then be traced for detailed depictions. For more information on the technique, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura.

Wagner’s drawing was completed around 1830, a time when he created a collection of images of York’s buildings. (Pick up a copy of his “Views in the Borough of York and Vicinity, Taken in the Year 1830” from the York County Heritage Trust Museum Shop, 250 East Market Street.) From his work we know that the State House contained a prominent pedimented entrance with fanlight, four pilasters on the front façade, and a Palladian window

In 1942, The York National Bank and Trust Company completed an aggressive renovation project at their West Market Street building. A new façade was added to the second building west of North Beaver Street and designed as a replica of the State House. Most residents don’t realize that the building is a replica, though when comparing it with the Wagner drawing it is clear that the replica is a loose interpretation. The Palladian motif has shifted from the gable to the entrance, and the building is not as wide. The four pilasters on the replica feature Ionic capitals, while the original ones did not. Nonetheless, the building is a nice homage to the original, connecting York’s past with its present.

Posted in

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (0)

When the Second Continental Congress arrived in York in September 1777, they found a sleepy frontier town in which most residents spoke German. Philadelphia it was not. Lodging became an immediate issue, as there were but 22 taverns and about 300 houses in York Town. Members of Congress did not travel alone, of course – they brought with them staff members to assist with the governing of the young nation. Many delegates began their time in York in overcrowded taverns, until such time that they could arrange for living quarters, frequently in private homes.

In some cases, delegates were able to rent a home, and perhaps share it with other delegates. Few patriots actually stayed in York all nine months that Congress met here. Many came and went and came and went, with the president of Continental Congress serving as the “glue” that held the body together.

When they arrived here, John Hancock was president; however, he resigned from Congress on October 31 and returned to his home in Massachusetts. Cousins John and Samuel Adams stayed in York for the first five weeks, then departed for Massachusetts – John would later travel to France while Samuel eventually returned to York in the final weeks that Congress met here.

(For a larger image, click here: http://scottbutcher.smugmug.com/photos/239128351-XL.jpg )

Throughout York’s tenure as colonial capital, the Square was abuzz with activity. Congress met in the County Court House, which by now had stood in Centre Square for over 20 years. A home on the northeastern quadrant of the Square served as the U.S. Treasury. Archibald McClean, owner of the building, was a surveyor and ardent patriot. On the southeastern quadrant stood Gottleib Ziegle’s tavern, which most likely hosted several delegates. Next door stood a building that served as an armory. Across George Street on the southwestern quadrant stood a building leased by delegate Daniel Roberdeau. According to early local histories, Roberdeau hosted John Adams and Samuel Adams, among other delegates. The Committee on Foreign Affairs, of which Thomas Paine served as Secretary, also met in this building.

Just beyond the “limits” of Centre Square stood another ring of buildings used during this time period. On West Market Street, where Trinity UCC is located today, stood a building that served as the “president’s house” – John Hancock originally stayed here, followed by Henry Laurens, who succeeded Hancock as president of the Second Continental Congress. The house was quite different than the lodging that Laurens was accustomed to, indicated by this statement in a July 1778 letter: “While I was at York Town I lived in a stile much below that of my Overseers. All the room I had for my Office and lodging, was not near so large as the Hall at Mount Tacitus, more than once I have been obliged to dine upon bread and cheese and a glass of Grog…” Col. Michael Swope was owner of the home. Further down West Market Street was the German Reformed Church, where many delegates attended church services. Philip Livingston, a delegate from New York who died while in York, was buried in the adjacent cemetery and later relocated to Prospect Hill Cemetery.

On the north side of West Market Street, just west of Centre Square, stood another tavern, later known as the Black Horse Tavern.

On North George Street, just north of Centre Square, was a large building that was used for housing paroled British officers. Other officers remained in the York County Jail, which was located on South George Street at King Street. Also on South George Street was the home and office of local attorney and signer of the Declaration of Independence, James Smith. Smith’s office, which was located at South George and Mason Alley, housed the Board of War. John Adams originally served as president and, after reorganization, General Horatio Gates became president of the Board of War.

While several Revolutionary-era buildings still stand elsewhere in York City and County, none of these buildings in and around Centre Square survive today.

Posted in 18th Century City architecture Continental Square Government Buildings

Bookmark Permalink using

Comments (0)