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: January 2008
Mildred and Russell Chapman, ‘Black History Profiles,’ Part I
Crispus Attucks Community Center’s Mildred Chapman told girls that they should care about the way they looked. ‘You can be poor,’ she said, ‘but you don’t have to look bad, or smell bad.’ She and her husband, Russell W., (see … Continue reading
York’s racing pigeons: ‘This is like the Kentucky Derby’
Lewis Burns is seen with some of his birds in one coup among 12 filled with racing pigeons on property in the east end of York. Background posts: Birds gone, rehabbed steeple stands and Marine and his military dog meet … Continue reading
Pal, York County’s war dog: He met his master 3 times on 3 beaches
A plaque now tells the story of Marine Sgt. Pal, cannonized in this statue on West King Street near the rail trail in York. Background posts: Marine and his dog meet after 60 years and Rail trail ribbons criss crossing … Continue reading
York author’s works adapted to the big screen: ‘Legacies,’ Part Last
Katharine Haviland-Taylor wrote more than 20 books of light fiction, and actors such as Marion Davies, Lionel Barrymore and May Robson performed her work. She was one of 50 women achievers in York County honored by AAUW in 1984. (See … Continue reading
Rebel trooper in York County: ‘Broken down & in no condition to fight’
With a dramatic leap over a small stream, Jeb Stuart escapes a Union patrol during the Battle of Hanover. His cavalrymen later rode through the heart of York County in an attempt to link up with Gen. Robert E. Lee … Continue reading
YLT + YSO + 75 years = A1 entertainment
The York Little Theatre and York Symphony Orchestra trace their roots to the Depression era. Here, Charles Budesheim’s Symphonic Orchestra plays at the Valencia in 1931. According to the York Symphony Orchestra’s “75 Years” book, many members went on to … Continue reading
Did you know this about York/Adams history?
Finding relics around Gettysburg was common in the post-Civil War years? But finding artifacts of the the Battle of Hanover, site of 300 casualties? Blogger June Lloyd tells about one such find in: Civil War Confederate Sword Plowed Up in … Continue reading
Richard Nixon’s visit to his namesake park sparks memories
P. Joseph Raab presents a fruit basket to Richard Nixon during the former president’s visit to his namesake park. Voni B. Grimes is seen next to Raab, and John Hope Anderson is pictured at left in background. York County parks … Continue reading
York County home to national pro-life leader
Paul Schenck, right, takes on a protester on this July 10, 1992, Life cover. The nationally known York County resident heads the National Pro-Life Action Center (NPLAC), an advocacy group in Washington, D.C. Background post: York County 1st Amendment case … Continue reading
Where was Thomas Jefferson when Congress met in York?
John Adams was in York in that crucial winter of 1777-78. But where was Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and George Washington? Background posts: John Adams changed mind about York, Who were those congressional visitors to York, anyway? and Declaration signer’s … Continue reading
