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: August 2007
E-mailer queries about Confederate invasion
E-mailer Jack Stuckey has raised several good questions about the Confederate occupation of York in late-June of 1863. I’ll put up some of the questions with answers: …
Posted in Archives, all posts, Civil War, Events, Famous York visitors, Mail bag, People, War
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Landmark Felton barn: ‘It’s so sad to see such a great piece of architecture fall down’
We last left Felton’s Debbie Lynch looking for preservation aid for her barn. Well, she’s still looking for counsel. Adams County has a program to aid owners of historic barns, but she’s come up short so far in York County. … Continue reading
York/Adams’ interest in Underground Railroad grows
Artist Lewis Miller captures members of the black community celebrating after receiving news of the Emancipation Proclamation. (Courtesy, York County Heritage Trust.) Underground Railroad enthusiasts will have two opportunities to learn more about that network that led many fugitives to … Continue reading
100th anniversary of drunken Pleasureville brawl, Part II
Quickel Church in Conewago Township, built in 1857 and scene of human stampede during a 1907 funeral. (Courtesy, Norma Bear Gates) The shooting deaths of the Hoover teens causes an overflow turn out for their funeral at Zion View’s Quickel … Continue reading
100th anniversary of drunken Pleasureville brawl, Part I
Nothing had happened like that in Pleasureville before or since. It was 100 years ago when two brothers were shot in the Springettsbury Township village. William E. and Curvin Hoover were wounded about midnight in what was described as a … Continue reading
‘Flames Beyond Gettysburg’ research brings forth fresh facts about Civil War in York County
Lige White’s Comanches were in the vanguard of the Confederate invasion of York County in late June 1863. Here, the mounted unit rides in the vicinity of Hanover. In his new blog Cannonball, Scott Mingus will draw on his research … Continue reading
Where exactly is the York/Lancaster border?
The Susquehanna River in the Columbia-Wrightsville area, as seen from Highpoint. That’s Lancaster County to the right and York County to the left. From the time it withdrew from Lancaster County in 1749, the mother county has owned the river. … Continue reading
A Zion View moment to remember: The night the furnace ‘blew’
This 1927-vintage band hall housed the Zion View Band and myriad of other Conewago Township community activities until the 1980s. Most recently, it was home to the York County Racing Club. (See additional image below.) (Courtesy, Norma Bear Gates) Ask … Continue reading
Living historians bring spotlight to York’s Civil War story
Cassandra Morris Small witnessed the Confederate invasion of York in late-June 1863. Letters she wrote about the occupation to a cousin remain valuable primary sources detailing the rebel occupation in the wake of the borough’s surrender. (Courtesy, York County Heritage … Continue reading
York County community bands play on
The Zion View Band organized in 1910 and played at countless community events until the 1980s. In 1927, they moved into a new band hall, still standing today. For years, it has been home of the York County Racing Club. … Continue reading
