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 2007
Restored Gettysburg Cyclorama arriving in new home
Visitors gain a sneak preview of the Gettysburg Cyclorama in the new visitor’s center in Gettysburg, the circular canvas that has attracted millions of viewers over the decades. The Electric Map might be slated for storage, but Gettysburg’s other top … Continue reading
John Smith gave Susquehannocks their name
John Smith drew this Susquehannock Indian after his visit to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in 1608. He described them as giants and claimed one warrior’s calf measures 27 inches around. Many in York County are relieved that a … Continue reading
Photographer tramps to far reaches of York County
Dale and Gloria Oxley bought York County’s most southwest corner property in 1972. Their land included land in York, Adams and Carroll. This nearby monument marks the Mason-Dixon Line, with ‘P’ facing north toward Pennsylvania. York Daily Record photographer Bil … Continue reading
Good old days at the York Fair were at least old
Nostalgia points us to those days when life seemed sweeter or simpler, even though it wasn’t always. So I noted in a recent post. With all its wonderful community-building tendencies, nostalgia at times can mask memories of a sometimes gritty, … Continue reading
York area full of memory-spawning landmarks
Motorists who drive by the Smittie’s Soft Pretzel stand in Dover Township might not recognize this as the headquarters for this York County landmark. Bury’s Burgers, Melvin’s Drive-In, Playland, White Oak Park, Shady Dell are among the York-area icons we’ve … Continue reading
Interstate lined out Melvin’s swan song
Melvin’s was located on East Market Street before the interstate spelled its demise. Posing in front of the hangout in 1939 are front row, from left, Howard Rohrbaugh, John Brenneman Jr., Al Wildasin and Earl Warner. “York Then and Now,” … Continue reading
Farquhar Park pool: ‘Good grief, how long has that pool been here?’
The White Rose Amusement Park operated near the Farquhar Park Pool, now site of Arthur Ferguson Elementary School. York Daily Record Jim Hubley explained that, despite of the fun the pool offered, it was often a site of controversy: “It … Continue reading
York County’s American Revolution general not his half-brother’s keeper
Gen. James Ewing of Hellam Township was perhaps the highest ranking York countian serving in the Continental Army. He headed forces in the Battle of Trenton in 1776, though the 1,000 militiamen he led could not cross the Delaware into … Continue reading
First York County Jail housed irksome redcoats
The first York County (Pa.) Jail, seen here in a Lewis Miller drawing, came under fire from a group of prisoners of war in May 1778. British prisoners in the American Revolution complained about conditions. The jail was located at … Continue reading
If Boston can turn prison in hotel, York can …
An article in World magazine suggests a use for York County’s 1906 lockup now on the sales block. World reports that Boston’s 18th-century Charles Street Jail is being renovated into a luxury hotel. The city worked up a $150 million … Continue reading
