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: July 2007
World War II rocked small towns across York County
Still on York New Salem, officially known as New Salem Borough. While looking at a list of those killed in World War II a few years ago, I notice several from that borough on the list. OK, many towns sustained … Continue reading
There’s oil in those York New Salem hills
John Robinson, the York New Salem, who e-mailed with several queries reminded me of one of his borough’s most interesting stories. In the early 1900s, some folks discovered oil in their well water. Some conjectured that New Salem might be … Continue reading
York’s western gate: One image says so much
E.A. Wise acquired this classic view of York’s western entrance in a New York City antique shop in 1960. E.A. Wise of York sent in a lithograph of York’s western entrance circa 1845. His image tells an interesting story. The … Continue reading
Independent York gas pumper celebrates 50th
Charles Rudisill’s service station in Spring Garden Township opened 50 years ago. He continues a tradition of independently owned service stations. He’s been at it for 50 years. So Charles K. Rudisill, one of the area’s last independent service station … Continue reading
Making a scene in York’s square: ‘The steer obeyed the traffic rules’
Esther Paules Esther Paules , of Windsor Township, can remember horses hitched around York’s Continental Square – then Centre Square – when it was unpaved. Unpaved roads weren’t unusual in the city in those days. Even in 1942, only 35 … Continue reading
York vs. Lancaster: ‘We came over to guard the trophy’
The centerpiece on this front page tells about the return of the longtime baseball rivalry between York and Lancaster to the west bank of the Susquehanna after a 50-year absence. The series between York and Lancaster’s baseball teams has been … Continue reading
Del-Chords continue to jar York County memories
Bill Schintz, York photo studio owner, captured The Del-Chords during a reunion about 10 years ago. Memories about the 1960s local rock band The Del-Chords continue to pile up. Jim Isenberg is the latest to comment on a past Del-Chords’ … Continue reading
York County plow gave way to bulldozer
Chad Whitcraft of New Freedom unloads his 1935 John Deere B off the back of his truck in Manchester in preparation for Old Tyme Days in 2004. A Norwich (Conn.) Bulletin article about a York County couple who sell models … Continue reading
Many national stars first performed on YLT’s stage
The YLT archives has many treasures including the program for the theater group’s first full-length production ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan.’ The York Little Theatre is one of the community organizations that grew from the Great Depression. As a sidebar to a … Continue reading
Posted in Events, Explanations/controversy, People, York celebrities
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Samuel Small tops York, Pa. community contributor list
Ruthe Craley, right, presents Lady Bird Johnson with a memento from the York Symphony Orchestra. This photograph appeared in the YSO’s 75th anniversary book. A York Sunday News editorial pointed out all of the Great Depression-spawned organizations that add so … Continue reading
