The York County Administrative Center, known as the York County Court House for over 100 years, is now the City of York's first certified green building. In 2005-2006 the building was adaptively reused and converted from a courthouse into a government office building. Many environmentally-friendly "green" features were incorporated into the project, which was designed by local firms NuTec Design Associates, Inc. and JDB Engineering, Inc. The project achieved a rating of "Certified" from the U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building processes.

With this certification, the York County Administrative Center has several distinctions:

• First LEED Certified building in the City of York
• First LEED Certified office building in York County
• First LEED Certified historic building in York County

The project has earned many accolades for the County and companies involved with the renovation, including two national awards ("Project of the Year - Historic Renovation" from the American Public Works Association and "Phoenix Award" from the Associated Builders & Contractors) and several regional awards ("Energy & Atmosphere Award" from the Central PA Green Building Association, "Preservation Award" from Historic York and "Award of Excellence" from the Keystone Chapter, Associated Builders & Contractors).

Posted in City architecture Historic Preservation

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A recent query on the York Town Square blog asked about the location of York's first town hall, which is perhaps a mystery (though many early town meetings were held in the first Court House in Centre Square).

Most of us are familiar with the current York City Hall, which stands along West King Street and was constructed in 1941 in celebration of York's 200th anniversary.

Only the long-time Yorkers, however, can identify where the prior city hall was located. The building in this postcard no longer stands. However, it was at one time a carriage house along South Duke Street. After being converted into a city hall, it was later expanded. Below is a brief description from my book, Postcard History Series: York:

The Guardian Trust Company was incorporated in 1903 and purchased property at the southeast corner of Market and Duke Streets for use as a bank. To the rear of the property stood a large stable, which was enlarged for use as City Hall. Subsequently, Guardian Trust purchased an adjacent property and expanded City Hall.

Posted in 20th Century City architecture Government Buildings

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One-hundred forty-five years ago, York was a town in crisis. Over 6,000 battle hardened Confederates occupied York on June 28, 29, and 30, 1863.

Today, many of the buildings from that era remain. Here's a quick guide to some of those buildings, adapted from my book, "Civil War Walking Tour of York, Pennsylvania," available from the Museum Shop of the York County Heritage Trust:

Historical Society Museum
250 East Market Street

A great place to begin your tour. Check out "The Civil War Comes to York County" exhibit, see original Lewis Miller prints, and find the latest in Civil War book offerings at the Museum Shop.

Michael P. Small House
249 East Market Street

Today the Schintz Studio, this building was once home to General Small, who issued provisions to Lee's defeated army at Appomattox.

Charles Billmeyer House
225 East Market Street

Billmeyer was a partner in the Billmeyer and Small Co., manufacturers of railroad cars. Confederate General Jubal Early threatened to burn their car shops.

David E. Small House
153 East Market Street

Also known as Martin Library's Brownstone. Small was the other half of the Billmeyer and Small partnership. He also served on the Committee of Safety that negotiated the occupation of York with Confederate General Jubal Early.

Bonham House
152 East Market Street

Headquarters for the York County Heritage Trust's Victorian and Civil War Living History Program. Bonham was an artist and attorney. During the Civil War, he served as revenue assessor, appointed by Abraham Lincoln.

Judge Fisher House
124 East Market Street

Judge Robert Fisher was the judge for York and Adams Counties, and during the Confederate occupation Fisher stood up to General Early to prevent him from burning the courthouse records, The judge's wife, Mary, was a nurse at the U.S. Army Hospital on Penn Common and spent a week on the Gettysburg battlefield helping the wounded.

Philip A. Small House
59 East Market Street

Philip A. Small was a prominent businessman and a member of the Committee of Safety. His mills were occupied by Confederate brigades from Virginia and Louisiana. Small's daughter, Cassandra, wrote letter chronicling this occupation from this building, which is today known as the Lafayette Club.

York County Court House
28 East Market Street

The courthouse that stood during the occupation was replaced in 1898; however, the columns, pediment, and cupola from the earlier courthouse remain. General Early made the courthouse his headquarters during the occupation, and it was in the courtroom that Early made a list of demands upon the citizens of York.

Centre Square
Intersection of George and Market Streets

Centre (Continental) Square was vastly different 145 years ago, though the Golden Swan Tavern and newly-exposed Hartman Building (formerly Futer Bros.) remain. Georgian John B. Gordon led his 1800-man strong brigade through the streets of York, and took down a 35-ft. flag that hung in the Square. After Gordon's brigade departed, General William "Extra Billy" Smith gave a humorous speech to the citizens in gathered in the Square.

Odd Fellows' Hall
102 South George Street

Known today as Washington Hall, this building served as barracks, an armory, and a back-up Army Hospital throughout the course of the Civil War.

Penn Common
West College Avenue

Today known as Penn Park, the public common housed a large Army Hospital from 1862-1865, treating over 14,000 wounded. A tablet marks the layout of the hospital, and the Soldiers & Sailors monument pays tribute to all who served during the war.

Dr. Henry Smyser House
30 South Beaver Street

Dr. Henry Smyser was a surgeon at the U.S. Army Hospital. He was familiar with war medicine, having earlier served as Physician to the Czar in the Russian Crimean War.

National House
53 West Market Street

The building of today showcases its appearance in 1863 when Early's Division occupied York.

Dr. Alexander Blair House
59 North Duke Street

Dr. Blair was the executive officer of the U.S. Army Hospital on Penn Common. Prior to the arrival of the Confederates, Blair evacuated many of the wounded to safety in Columbia, Lancaster County. Blair married Cassandra Small one year later.

William Goodridge House
123 East Philadelphia Street

Goodridge was a freed slave who became a prominent businessman and notable agent on the Underground Railroad. After John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, Goodridge helped the only free black to participate and escape, using his network to help Osborne Perry Anderson to safety.

There you have it, a short walking tour of Civil War sites in downtown York! The tour should take you about 90 minutes. Education and excercise: what better way to spend the July 4th holiday this year!

Posted in 19th Century City architecture

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Change came again to the “Square” in 1815 with the expansion of the first courthouse. This “expansion” didn’t change the building footprint at all, but allowed for more usable space on the second floor. Cross-gables were added on the north and south of the building, allowing more headroom on the second floor. In addition to the new gables, the building also received a large new cupola, allowing for installation of a town clock with four faces. From existing drawings, it appears that the cupola had a lookout and bell, which would further classify it as a belfry. (In common usage, many of us would simply refer to it as a clock tower.)

This project created the appearance of a more substantial building in the town square. By now there were three structures in Centre Square: the courthouse, State House, and a market shed, the east end of which is pictured in this 1830 William Wagner view. The graphic depicts the buildings as viewed from the southwestern quadrant of the Square. The red brick building to the right of the State House (on the southeast quadrant) is the Golden Swan Tavern, which still stands today. Also note the large half-round window in the courthouse gable as well as the prominent pedimented entrance, which is believed to have been added in the 1790s.

Posted in 19th Century City architecture Continental Square

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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.

Posted in 18th Century City architecture Continental Square Government Buildings

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In the span of 25 years, William Goodridge went from a young slave in Maryland to one of York’s most prominent businessmen. He grew from barber to entrepreneur, expanding his business, purchasing new properties, and starting new ventures. For a brief time he even operated a barber shop in Philadelphia.

One of his business ventures was the Goodridge Reliance Line of burthen (freight) cars, which operated from York. These cars were capable of transporting almost any freight, and eventually ran as far west as Pittsburgh and as far east as Philadelphia.

But beyond his success in business, Goodridge became quite successful in another, more clandestine endeavour: the Underground Railroad.

His properties were stations, and he was both a stationmaster and conductor, meaning that he provided shelter for runaway slaves as well as a means of transport to get them one step closer to freedom.

He lived at 123 East Philadelphia Street, in a home that still stands today. Below the kitchen is a root cellar with exposed dirt walls. It was in here that the escaped slaves were hidden. The root cellar was accessible via a trap door in the kitchen floor that was covered with carpet. Long after Goodridge left York and passed away, his children told local historians of the hiding place, which was “found” in an 1897 renovation project by noted architect Reinhardt Dempwolf. There is also at least one narrative from an escaped slave that identifies the cellar in the Goodridge House as a hiding place. Furthermore, the National Park Service has researched and authenticated the site as part of their Network to Freedom program.

Posted in 19th Century City architecture Underground Railroad

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One of the benefits of my day job with the Nutec Group is that I sometimes have the opportunity to become involved with local projects of historic significance. Such is the case with the home once owned by William C. Goodridge. For five years I’ve served on the task force working to transform the house into an Underground Railroad museum. Crispus Attucks, the local non-profit working to improve the quality of life in the southeast neighborhoods of York City, and beyond, is spearheading the exciting project.

Who was William Goodridge? He was born into slavery in Baltimore, Maryland in 1805 or 1806. Because he was a slave, his exact birth date is not recorded. His mother and grandmother had been owned by Charles Carroll of Carrollton, signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of the wealthiest Americans in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. (If you saw the movie National Treasure, Carroll was featured in a flashback as the last surviving signer.) Goodridge’s mother was sold to a prominent Baltimore physician.

Posted in 19th Century City architecture Underground Railroad

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Last evening I had the opportunity to participate in an annual autumn tradition – one that doesn’t involve football, tailgating, leaves, or pumpkins. The tradition? Leading the new class of Leadership York’s Leadership Training Program (LTP) on a walking tour of downtown York.

In the coming months, this year’s LTP class will attend sessions on economic development, arts & culture, health care, children’s issues, education, government, boardsmanship, and other notable topics.

But last night was about history.

Most years I share tour guide duties with Scott Royer, Director of Education for the York County Heritage Trust.

When I arrived at the Colonial Court House, Scott and I compared notes. As is typical, he asked if I knew where I was headed or what I was talking about, and I responded, “No.” And then I queried, “You?” “Nope” was his response.

But this isn’t indicative of a lack of preparation; rather, it showcases something quite unique and interesting about downtown York. You can walk in any direction and have much to talk about. As a rule, we both try to lead our respective groups to important landmarks and locations, like Continental Square, Friends Meeting House, and Golden Plough Tavern.

I can’t speak for Scott, but I can tell you that I’ve never given the same tour twice. In fact, over the years I’ve had the opportunity to lead many different walking tours – general history, Civil War, architecture, photography, and even ghosts and legends. I don’t have a “canned” tour. What makes the Leadership York walking tour fun is that I can throw in a bit of everything. The challenge that Scott and I faced last evening was how to each take a group of 20 people from the Colonial Court House to Queen Street (our agreed-upon destination) and back in one hour.

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The 1898 York County Court House is making news again, but not for any notorious trial. A contingent representing York County recently returned from San Antonio, TX and the American Public Works Association national conference. They were there to accept an award for the renovation of the courthouse and conversion into the York County Administrative Center. The project was recognized as a “Public Works Project of the Year” in the Historic Renovation category for projects in the $10 million to $100 million range. The award application was prepared by project architect NuTec Design Associates, Inc. on behalf of the County, contractor Wohlson Construction, and local chapter of the American Public Works Association.

This award focuses a national spotlight on York and the efforts of many to combine York’s historic architecture with the needs of a modern society and vibrant community.

Posted in 19th Century Beaux Arts City architecture Government Buildings

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Recent news reports have noted that the United States Postal Service will be vacating their facility on South George Street. York City government has expressed an interest to acquire the building and renovate it for use as a new City Hall. But the building on South George Street is not the only one downtown to have housed the Post Office. At the intersection of West Philadelphia and North Beaver streets a prominent red-brick Romanesque building stands on the northeast corner. Today, many people know it as the Lighthouse Youth Center. Others remember when it was a Masonic Temple. The reality, however, is that it was actually constructed by the federal government for use as a Post Office and government office building.

From “Postcard History Series: York”:

Constructed in 1895 on the northeast corner of Philadelphia and Beaver Streets, the “Federal Building” was built for a cost of $80,000. In addition to housing the Post Office, the United States Revenue Department was located on the second floor. Prior to the erection of this building, the York Post Office had been located at nine different sites.

Posted in 19th Century City architecture Government Buildings

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