About this blog
I've been editor of the York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News for 8 years and managing editor of the newspaper for 15 years before that. So, York Town Square explores the rapidly changing world of journalism. And I studied York/Adams' history in graduate school, have written six books about these fascinating southcentral Pennsylvania counties and serve on the York County (Pa.) Heritage Trust board. So, this blog deals with regional history. Often, journalism and history meet here. They're part of a continuum anyway. My hope is that this site intrigues readers on both accounts in giving a daily dose of journalism/history. Or history/journalism. Contact me at jem@ydr.com or become friends on Facebook or follower on Twitter, @JamesMcClure.
Monthly Archives: September 2006
Visit of rainmaker indicated much awry in York, Pa.
This year marks the anniversary of one of York County’s most embarrassing moments. It was during the most severe of droughts that York Mayor John L. Snyder dug into his own pocket for $350 to bring John A. Miller, a … Continue reading
‘But heavens above’: YorkTownSquare blog hits first birthday
Remember the old York County story about brewer Hannes’ bout with an aged hermit? It seems that Hannes produced a beer that stopped headaches, created a good appetite and abolished constipation. Now the old hermit, Hannes’ neighbor, had seven pairs … Continue reading
York Fair produces affairs to remember
A father and son took brides last week at the York Fair. Interesting how love and the fair have gone hand-in-hand from the annual festival’s earliest days… .
As U.S. president, John Adams changed mind about York County
Previous post, York Town Square explored how Lancaster County begat York and Cumberland counties. And York County begat Adams in 1800. (And Cumberland begat Frankin, named after Benjamin Franklin, in 1784.) And many know that Adams County was named for … Continue reading
York, Cumberland counties longtime companions
An e-mailer recently assumed that Cumberland County came out of York County in 1750, in the same way Adams County withdrew in 1800. Actually, York County was erected from Lancaster County in 1749, and Cumberland County emerged from Lancaster the … Continue reading
100 years later, Delta clock keeps on ticking
Southeastern York County has bred a 7-foot-2-inch player that has been at it for 100 years. And no, this player didn’t toil for the championship Kennard-Dale High School basketball team in the mid-1990s… .
York-made safes spotted in post-war Tokyo
Eric Wise, a reader with many interests, picked up on York Town Square posts on York Safe & Locks. (“York Safe & Lock faltered after founder’s death;” “York safes durable, beautiful.”) They reminded him of his grandfather’s story about the … Continue reading
When the rings of trees give history lessons
Web search technology helps the York Daily Record/Sunday News keep track of residents from York and Adams counties who make news elsewhere. Various search engines scrape prescribed names of York County towns and turn up local people making news across … Continue reading
Jeep prototype has York County WWII roots
The Hercules recovery vehicle made famous by pulling down the statue of Saddam is not the first well-known military icon with York roots. That Hercules vehicle, “Renegade,” was assembled in West Manchester Township’s BAE plant. Before World War II, the … Continue reading
York-made BAE vehicle welcome to retirement home in York, Pa.
How could the York Daily Record/Sunday News support making a permanent home for a Renegade? Our 9/11 editorial published today urged that the Hercules recovery vehicle that pulled down Saddam’s statue be returned here after it is retired, assuming, heaven … Continue reading
