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: December 2007
‘Weekly Reader’s’ founder Eleanor Johnson, ‘York Legacies,’ Part III
“My Weekly Reader,” that children’s newsletter so familar to millions was the brainchild of a York County educator, Eleanor Johnson. Background posts: Katharine Beecher, ‘Legacies’, Delma Rivera, ‘Legacies’ and One-room memories flow from readers’ fingertips. In the 1920s, York County … Continue reading
Delma Rivera, ‘Legacies,’ Part II
Delma Rivera and her husband, Edwin, were among the pioneering Puerto Rican families to settle and achieve in York County. Background post: York Spanish Council organized 33 years ago, York Springs a town in change, but what’s new?, and Katharine … Continue reading
York County’s, Wellsville’s one-room schools, by the numbers
Judy Weber of the Wellsville Area Histocial Society ‘teaches a lesson’ about the borough’s one-room school house. The building is undergoing restoration. Background posts: ‘Yesteryears’ southern York County sites – Part II, Hidden Loucks School reflects past way of York … Continue reading
Katharine Beecher: ‘Legacies,’ Part I
Katharine Beecher started a small candy company in the 1930s. Defense contracts in World War II helped her company, as it did many York County businesses. Katharine Beecher’s son, Henry Beecher, kept the business in the family for 22 years … Continue reading
Coin designer signs his D.E. on all his handiwork
These images from the U.S. Treasury Department show the four presidential one dollar coins, and their reverse side, right, that will be issued in 2008. From left are, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. Artist … Continue reading
Randy and Duke Edsall, Susquehannock grads, make national sports news
Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall awaits his helmet before riding in a NASCAR race car at the Richard Petty Driving Experience before taking laps at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. in this Associated Press photograph. Edsall and his … Continue reading
Noted York family – the Cohens – produced Pa. Supreme Court justice
Herbert Cohen was just 5 years old in this photo, taken when his family returned to St. Petersburg, Russia, to visit family. He’s sitting on the floor, to the right, in this photo. Also in the photo are: Herbert’s grandmother, … Continue reading
There were 5, count ‘em, 5 York markets
Elaine P. Carr is seen with aprons she sells at the Farmers Market, Penn and West Market streets in York. The standowner uses various old fabrics – from tablecloths, vintage curtains and bib overalls – to sew aprons. Farmers Market … Continue reading
Hammer-wielding Yorkers helped to nail kaiser’s noggin
The Little Courthouse, a replica of the first York County Court House, stands on York’s Centre Square during World War I. The courthouse served as a center for war bond sales and promoted the bonds in a way that today … Continue reading
Old WSBA station: ‘Another part of history has gone’
This shows WSBA-AM (910)’s current station in eastern York County – its second office and studio. The original along the Susquehanna Trail, north of York, was recently demolished. Background posts: Original WSBA station hands mic to demolition team and Carly … Continue reading
