March 2008 Archives

Notice in the photo the two women looking down on Santa as he climbs up the ladder on his annual visit to the Bon-Ton and downtown York, Pa.
Background posts: Ho, ho, ho - uh, Santa, hold on, The Grumbachers: 'Builders and Heroes,' Part III and What was famed architect John Dempwolf's own house like?

Continuing the series of photos that capture York County, Pa.'s, history:

York (Pa.) Ice Machinery Corporation, later York Corporation and today owned by Johnson Controls, served as a catalyst for the York Plan. Yorkco chairman William S. Shipley headed the York Manufacturers Association, which promoted the sharing of machinery and manpower to land large World War II defense contracts. Here, condensers are lined up on Yorkco's shop floor. Background posts: York made big, heavy things and was immensely proud of it, The bomb: 'And yet it stopped the war' and 'Her words helped win the war'.

Continuing the series of iconic photos - photos that capture layered moments - from York County, Pa.:

The market sheds in York, Pa.'s Centre Square are a pile of rubble after they are pulled down in the middle of the night in late June 1887. The sheds had been in the square since the county's earliest days and would never be replaced at that location, nor would any other building gain a permanent site in the middle of the square. Background posts: There were 5, count 'em, 5 York markets, A square courthouse in middle of York's Centre Square? and Late June marks pivotal moments in York history.

Continuing the series of iconic photos - photos that capture layered moments - from York County, Pa.:

This part of York, Pa.'s Lafayette Club is lined with past club presidents' photographs. Ten years ago, the club admitted its first black member. Recently, the organization played host to a fundraiser for York-based Underground Railroad Museum. 10 years ago, York's exclusive Lafayette Club became less exclusive, Part I, Artist Horace Bonham captured everyday life (6/20 iconic images) and Leonard Pitts: Sometimes, history hurts.

A recent letter to the editor from Crispus Attucks Association praised East Market Street's Lafayette Club for playing host to a fundraiser to support an Underground Railroad museum.

That letter in the York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News is pregnant with meaning... .

York, Pa., artist Horace Bonham, 1835-1892, was a Renaissance man - a lawyer, newspaper owner and man about town. But he's best remembered today as a genre painter who captured routine events with his brush. And his work was unusual for its inclusion of diverse people. Background posts: A short test of your York black history knowledge - Part II, Exhibit captures decades-long flow of wide Susquehanna and Artist Jeff Koons came back to York for a show.

No one should believe that sponsored animal fighting - brought to the the limelight by Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick's dogfighting travesty - is unusual in American history, as this Horace Bonham painting "Nearing the issue at the cockpit" suggests:

Confederate soldiers lower the large American flag in York's Centre Square on June 30, 1863, after the town's fathers had surrendered the day before. The rebels marched uncontested into the undefended Pennsylvania town. Immediately after settling in, Gen. Jubal Early's rebels requisitioned food, supplies and money. The town complied with everything but the $100,000 requisition, delivering only about $28,000. Background posts: Carnegie to Farquhar: '... I am ready to go out and enjoy myself' , Pro/Con: Should York's leaders have surrendered to the rebels? and Unsung farmhouse loud symbol of a shaping moment for York.

Another in a series of images that point to events or moments that help define York County... .

This mural of 19th-century York, Pa., businessman William C. Goodridge greets motorists and pedestrians as they head east on West Market Street. Among other businesses, it depicts Goodridge's rail venture, believed to have been deployed as part of another transportation business - the Underground Railroad. Background posts: Freed slaves often faced return to bondage, Amanda Berry Smith: 'God's image carved in ebony' and A short test of your black history knowledge, II.

This image of William C. Goodridge, freedman and businessman, is another in the York Town Square series on important photos that tell York County's story... .

York County was blessed with engraver William Wagner, who drew this scene, and fellow artist Lewis Miller, who left a legacy of 19th-century scenes that tell us much about how people lived. The York County Heritage Trust, which owns many pieces by both artists, has published two books on their respective work. Background posts: Late June marks pivotal moments in York history, Striking architecture lined York's South Duke Street and York's western gate: One image says so much.

Continuing, our series of images that say a lot about York County's past, posted in observance of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown's John Smith, first English visitor to this region: ...

In summer 1776, James Smith signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Pennsylvania Constitution. The York, Pa., lawyer also served in the Continental Congress during that body's visit to York County after British troops forced members from Philadelphia. Background posts: 400 years ago, John Smith explored Chesapeake Bay - 1 of 20 iconic images, Where was Thomas Jefferson when Congress met in York?, and Who will lead York in the future?

This painting of James Smith is another in a series of iconic images of York County, Pa. Smith lived and died in York County, joining New York's Philip Livingston as the two signers of the Declaration buried in York County soil... .

In honor of this presidential election year, and adorned with red, white, and blue swags, banners, and flags, the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Pa., is presenting "Time in Office: An Exhibit of Presidential Timepieces" opening Friday, April 18. (Updated from an earlier post). Pictured here is George Washington’s pocket watch. Background posts: Upcoming events should attract York/Adams history buffs and Local man tells about goofy encounter with Gerald Ford

Columbia's National Watch and Clock Museum is again looking to be timely.

Ahem, the Lancaster County, Pa., museum cast a net to find presidential watches and clocks to tie into the presidential election year in 2008.

The museum has obtained James Monroe’s pocket watch and clock and the timepiece that sat on Gerald Ford’s Oval Office desk... .

Hikers explore the area around the former York Iron Co. Mine in North Codorus Township, now P. Joseph Raab County Park. Guides give occasional tours of this newest county park. One of the guides, Jeri Jones, has published a book on regional geology. (See below). Background posts: What was that Eastern York County pit before it filled with water? and Eighteenth-century brownfield now parkland

Some people attach mining to the soft coal regional of western Pennsylvania or the anthracite area of northeastern Pennsylvania.

It's easy to overlook York County's mines. No piles of slag dominate local towns.

But the county has seen slate mining in its southeastern region. Active limestone mining - dolomite for fire bricks - spans areas of West Manchester. Quarrying for rock to build houses or to form road foundations has taken bites out of mountainsides.

And the excavation of iron ore was one of the most prevalent forms of mining, largely in the 19th-century.

John Smith was an artist as well as an explorer. He drew this Susquehannock Indian after his visit to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in 1608. Background posts: John Smith gave Susquehannocks their name, American Indians' carvings almost forgotten treasure and Project uncovers hidden American Indian mural.

In the past two "Connections" editions, we have assembled multi-page displays showing the Murals of York and paintings of key figures with York connections in the American Revolution.

For this year's special publication, our spread will show 20 images that help define York County... .

Hanover's Central Hotel, seen here in this image from the Hanover Area Historical Society, served as headquarters for Union cavalry General Judson Kilpatrick late in the battle. This hotel still stands at the corner of Center Square and Baltimore Street. Some Union military men returned to hunt for money buried during the visit in late-June 1863. Background posts: Reader searches for Ziegler's tavern photos, Iron Mike Guards 'The Picket' and Did you know this about York/Adams history?

A treasure hunter is seeking state permission to dig for gold reportedly lost by a Union convoy in Elk County during the Civil War.

This brings to mind a moment shortly after the Civil War in which Union treasure hunters returned to the Hanover area to conduct a dig... .

Salvador Cabrera, portraying Jesus, is led by soldiers William Rodriguez, right, and Julio Rivera during a performance of the Stations of the Cross Friday by St. Mary's Church in York. The annual event is one of scores of Easter celebrations in York County. Background posts: Amish: 'We are making a commitment to forgive', 'Sandpaper Sisters' rubs readers right way and Retiring pastor: 'I'll miss the people',

Easter has long been widely observed in York County - everything from emotional Stations of the Cross performances, bone-numbing outdoor sunrise services and solemn church altars adorned with sweet-smelling flowers... .

Sears Roebuck and Co. opened with fanfare in the York County Shopping Center. About 35 years later, Sears moved from its outdated store to new digs in the York Galleria. A busy Giant store covers Sears former footprint in the renamed York Marketplace. The shopping center and landmarks like Gino's feeding off its traffic continue to fascinate local residents. Background posts: 'I still have my memories ... of the bustling downtown York business district', Bury's burger memories far from buried and Playland plays nostalgic note for York countians.

The photo with the post Just try to resist studying this memory-tugging photograph spawned the eagerly expected e-mails and comments.

For Bill Landes, as one example, it brought to mind Gino's:

"What a great photo, lots of memories. Across the street from the Shopping Center entrance (I think) was the first Gino's 15 cent Hamburger Joint. I remember Gino Marchetti and Alan Ameche signing autographs there at the grand opening ...1960 or 61??"

As popular as the controversial Geno's is in Philadelphia, York's Gino's was an equally popular spot around here... .

York County's Margaret E. Bier remembers the little school house in Hanover, even the stool and dunce hat in the corner. (See more of her memories below.) Margaret does not remember the name of the school? If you know, comment below. Thousands of York countians have memories of these small schools, dotting the county's landscape. The York Daily Record/Sunday News is planning a book on these nostalgia-producing little buildings. Background posts: One-room school days fascinate history fans and One-room schools: 'That's when things were good'.

The Daily Record/Sunday News is looking for photos, such as that submitted by Margaret Bier, of one-room schoolhouses and the classes that attended them.

Did you attend or teach at one? Do you have photos to share?

These photos may be used in various publications as part of our continuing series on one-room and small-room school memories. One planned publication is a book set for release in June... .

Bill Clinton speaks in front of the Yorktowne Hotel, with security guards holding the ladder and Hillary Clinton and Tipper Gore in the background. Bill Clinton and Al Gore visited York as the first overnight stop on a 1,000-mile bus trip after winning their party's nomination at the Democratic National Convention in New York. Background posts: Presidential visit No. 2: Clinton hugs Harley, Hillary Clinton's rally site in York, Pa. a bit odd and What did Tiny Tim and Richard Nixon have in common?.

If Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton comes to York County, she'll revive local memories of her first visit to the county.

Hillary Clinton and Tipper Gore accompanied their husbands, Dem nominees Bill Clinton and Al Gore, on a 1,000-mile bus trip after winning their party's nod in July 1992.

Their stay at the Yorktowne Hotel was their first overnighter in their planned campaign journey from New York to St. Louis.

Reaching the Yorktowne, the entourage was welcomed by 3,000 people... .

The Yorktowne Hotel recently donated a circa 1942 air raid siren to the York County Heritage Trust. The trust plans to restore it and place it on exhibit. Background posts: Unusual valve gave steam whistle prominence in World War II and The bomb: 'And yet it stopped the war'.

Early in World War II, York-area Civilian Defense officials faced the problem of how to alert an entire community about an enemy air raid.

The numerous factory whistles in place were not designed to reach the entire community. The New York Wire Cloth whistle, with its adjustable valve that allowed it sound varying messages, provided one resource.

Sometime in or after 1942, Civilian Defense officials must have installed a air raid siren on the roof of the Yorktowne Hotel designed specifically to alert a broader area... .

Scott Weikert, a William Penn High School grad, has been recommended to the rank of rear admiral. 'The camaraderie, the esprit de corps, just the level of commitment of the people I serve with - I've never found that in the private sector,' Weikert said. 'That's probably a reflection of the fact that we depend on each other so much in executing our jobs.' Background posts: York has produced its share of high-ranking naval officers and Book gives positive view about forgotten general Jake Devers.

York County has produced the No. 2 officer at Gitmo, Brad LeVault and the captain on the new carrier U.S.S. Bush, Chip Miller.

Now comes news from the Navy that a York son, Scott Weikert, is awaiting promotion to the rank of rear admiral... .

A post-World War II baby boom caused families to spill from York city to form suburbs. The entry of Caterpillar and other industries in the early 1950s also attracted families to that part of Springettsbury Township. These new factories brought in families from out of town, too. And then came the York County Shopping Center in 1956, at 3 o'clock position, to serve families who later lived in Haines Acres, which grew up in the fields, upper right, and beyond. (Photo courtesy of York Buchart Horn and J. David Allen.) Background posts: New book offers astute look into heart of York, York County ... 'A smorgasbord of architectural styles', Coca-Cola out in Springetts... self-storage space is real thing and Before Geno's made news in Philly, Gino's headlined in York.

Gene Schenck of Buchart-Horn Inc./BASCO Associates lent us this irresistible photograph (see enlarged version below).

He was even kind enough to provide a description. I've taken the liberty of adding context to the information (in parenthesis), used as part of a company exhibit at the Business Expo in 2005:

The Lafayette Club is located in the former P.A. Small mansion on East Market Street. Small, the "P.A." in P.A. and S. Small, was the leading York County business of the 19th century. Samuel Small, the "S." in the company name, lived in a now-demolished mansion across Duke Street. Background posts: Samuel Small tops community contributors list, Old P.A. and S. Small building fit better than successors, York County's own Civil War - Part III and 10 years ago, York's exclusive Lafayette Club became less exclusive, Part II.

A list of pioneers in the post First York City Latino councilman temporarily state's top appointed Dem included Vernon Bracey as the first black member of York's Lafayette Club.

That event came 10 years ago - on the 100th anniversary of the club... .

People mistook Philip Eppley, posing circa 1974, for former President Gerald Ford during the Ford presidency. (To see how Philip looked in early 2007, see below). For an even stranger story about Gerald Ford, see York resident Bill Walters' meeting with Ford below: Background posts: York-based historian shakes hands with 8 U.S. presidents and Clock museum prepares presidential timepiece exhibit.

Interest in presidents and politics are high this election season - even those light hearted moments that sometimes are the most memorable.

In a previous post, we wote about Democrat James Buchanan's fall in walking across the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge.

We'll even it out - party-wise - and tell about Bill Walters' encounter with former GOP President Gerald Ford in 1979 - in a restroom at York College ... .

The Women's Club of York met at 228 E. Market St. from the Women’s Club of York for decades. But the organization that once topped 600 members declined fewer than 100. The club couldn't pay the bills, so it sold the ornate building to private residents and received a free lease and utilities for 10 years. The Women's Club is not alone in addressing a dwindling membership. Background posts: Restoration planned for fire-damaged Women's Club, York's Wonder Women: The stories of four more movers and shakers and Histories attempt to fill blanks in women's, black history.

A few weeks ago, a York Daily Record/Sunday News headline related sad news.

“Saying their goodbyes/After 84 years, the local Quota Club disbanded last year.”

Such stories are becoming more common.

Longtime community organizations, unable to recruit new members, break up.

And many of those that still meet are struggling. The same people are saddled with an ever-increasing workload.

For decades, Quota International of York joined its sister organizations throughout the world to help deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired individuals.

The emphasis here is on sister because the international organization came about in 1919 in response to men-only clubs... .

Here's a hint to answer part of York County Smarts quiz, Part III: This York County native starred with Brad Pitt in "A River Runs Through It," a 1992 film about two brothers who grow up in Montana. Background posts: Cameron Mitchell, Craig Sheffer, Dixie Chick born here, Prominent actor Craig Sheffer hails from overlooked Windsor Park,
That's Windsor Park, not Windsor ..., and York City's Eberts Lane actually winsome country road.

OK, another part of a York County Smarts quiz (see Part II) taken from a 1990s orientation exercise used by the York Daily Record to bring new employees up to speed.

See how you do:

Plans are moving ahead for an October reunion of 1960s bands that played at White Oak Park. Meanwhile, memories of the park continue to flow to York Town Square. Background posts: Stadium will be site of The Oaks music reunion, York-area full of memory-spawning landmarks and White Oak Park welcomed Blaw-Knox workers .

For many years, Jane Heller's grandfather, Oliver Lease, ran White Oak Park, that nostalgia-inducing recreational center located in the area where the Masonic Lodge now sits, along the Susquehanna Trail, north of York.

Jane shared memories of "The Oaks" via an e-mail conversation: ...

Eighty years after his death, industrial leader A.B. Farquhar's business prowess is still remembered. The York park that bears his name attests to his community involvement. Now, a national author has remembered him too, including an exchange between Farquhar and Andrew Carnegie. Background posts: Reader seeks Boys Club photo, York: America's First Capital of Golf? and Pastors denounce Sunday newspaper.

A e-mailer pointed out an exchange in David Nasaw's biography "Andrew Carnegie," in which the Gilded Age industrial giant gave York agricultural implement factory owner A.B. Farquhar his comeuppance.

Farquhar mentioned to Carnegie that he was always sure to be in the office by 'seven in the morning.'

"You must be a lazy man," Carnegie replied, "if it takes you ten hours to do a day's work." ....

Tommy Kono was America's best weight lifter in the 1950s. He won eight world titles and went undefeated from 1952-59. Kono lifted for York Barbell, the answer to a quiz question below. Background posts: 20 questions and answers to prove your York County smarts, Part I, A short test of your women's history knowledge , A short test of your York black history knowledge, Part I, Black history quiz, Part II.

The York Daily Record used this quiz in the mid-1990s to orient new employees. The questions and answers, some tongue in check and often tied into then-recent news stories, will continue to pique interest.

Some may seem easy to veteran York Town Square readers. Consider this a review. Others will seem arcane.

See how you do:

Abe Amoros, president of the York City Little League Board of Directors, is seen during groundbreaking ceremonies in 2005 for two regulation Little League fields at York's Allen Park. Amoros recently assumed temporary executive director duties for the state Democratic Party. Background posts: Delma Rivera, 'Legacies,' Part II, York Spanish Council organized 33 years ago and Civil rights heroes stand out at Bradley exhibit.

Gov. Ed Rendell made York resident Abe Amoros an offer he could not refuse.

Would Amoros temporarily take over for the state Democratic Party's regular executive director, who is on leave to head Hillary Clinton's campaign in Pennsylvania?

Amoros' affirmative answer propelled him to the water's edge facing the political storm that is starting to wash across Pennsylvania as Clinton and Barack Obama vie for Dem votes... .

The Quakers were a large group settling York County's northern tier from York County's earliest days. The original part of this Friends' meeting house in Warrington Township (seen here) was erected in 1769. The congregation doubled the building's size in 1782. It's one of three such Quaker-built structures standing today across York County's northern tier. Background posts: Gladys Rawlins, 'Black History Profiles,' Part III and Thousands discover formerly unheralded Howard Tunnel.

After seeing several recent posts on railroading, Joe Stein (jstein3@comcast.net), a York Town Square reader, wondered why so many lines ran in the southern and central parts of York County.

"What about the northern portion?" he asked.

York and Baltimore were rail destinations in the South, but surely Harrisburg was attractive in the North.

Here are some thoughts in response ... .

The cover of the "The Lincoln Highway Forum" warns members of the Lincoln Highway Association that the vintage brick surface of the historic highway in Stark County, Ohio, might be paved over. The magazine keeps members apprised of news and events affecting this early coast-to-coast highway, which passed through the heart of York and Adams counties. Background posts: Lincoln Highway Communities: 'I know I'll be back.', A 7th bridge? Pedestrian walkway may span Susquehanna River some day and Trees commemorate World War I vets.

Does anyone in York and Adams counties remember seeing cans of sardines littering the sides of the old Lincoln Highway, later Routes 462 and 30?

A writer in the fact-filled "Lincoln Highway Forum" found plentiful metal containers along western stretches of this early coast-to-coast highway.

"Your editor has come to to the conclusion that Lincoln Highway travelers of the 'teens and 1920s lived on sardines," Gregory M. Franzwa wrote... .

This sign points to the presence of a railroad that started near Glen Rock in the village of Centerville. But little is known about what could have been an old logging railroad. Background posts: Railroading: 'It's something that gets into your blood', New Freedom station houses alien safe and York's rail stations scored moments in history.

York Town Square reader Paul G. www.ironequine.com has tramped along a mystery railroad line that he believes is the Shrewsbury Railroad.

But he lacks hard evidence to support that... .

John Thompson Sr., right, with District Attorney Stan Rebert in 1998, led the county Republican Party when it surpassed the Democratic registration lead in the 1980s. In 1979, York County Dems enjoyed a 10,000-person registration lead. Today, the Republicans have a 45,000 voter advantage. Background posts: York County elections, by the numbers and Giving news, sports junkies their fix.

Newcomers to York County might assume Republicans, with their big registration advantage, have always led the county election parade.

The fact is that York County took a liking to Jeffersonian and later Jacksonian politics in the 1800s and continued to hold onto their Democratic Party registrations for decades.

That's, in part, why Abraham Lincoln did not carry York County either in 1860 or 1864... .

Model builder Paul Schiding talks about the former York airport that was along Haines Road, as former airport flight instructor Jack Hespenheide, listens in this 2006 file photo. The model of the airport remains on display at the York County Heritage Trust's Agricultural and Industrial Museum. Notice the red-brick administration building, barely visible, in the background. Background posts: Museum exhibit brings back early days of high fliers and It's a bird. It's a plane. It's cigars with wings.

A model of York's first airport, started in 1930 on level land in the present-day Fayfield area near Misericordia Nursing Home, presents an intriguing exhibit at the Agricultural and Industrial Museum in York.

My eyes always go to the administration building, a low brick structure.

The building has fascinated me since I read about it and this early airport in John F. M. Wolfe's "Profile of Aviation, York County, Pennsylvania, 1925-1998."

The large hangar (see photo by clicking on background post above) was dismantled after the airport closed later in the 1930s.

But, Wolfe wrote, the administration building is now a private residence, located at 7th Avenue and Haines Road... .

A voting machine is unloaded at Friendship Community Church in Dover in 2005. York County voters cast tallies in these mechanical machines for decades. Now, they use a computerized machine. Background posts: York County historical community will miss Carl Hatch, York County straddled Mason-Dixon Line in Lincoln vote and Doris Kearns Goodwin gives tips to analyze presidential hopefuls.

Even numbers-impaired folks might enjoy the following stats from York County election history:

Kathryn L. Fourhman's bio lists her as Pennsylvania's first female coroner. And she's known locally as author of a book about her experiences as a coroner: "Death is a Funny Thing." She is one of 50 women feted in 'Legacies,' the 1984 American Association of University Women. Background posts: A short test of your women's history knowledge and Mildred and Russell Chapman, 'Black History Profiles,' Part I.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News continues to work its way through the 50 women celebrated in AAUW's "Legacies: Remembrances of York County Women."

The newspaper updated bios of Sister Gilmary Simmons, Nellie Leber Longsworth, Kathryn L. Fourhman and Mildred K. Binder.

All four achievers were alive at the time "Legacies" was published in 1984, and their stories had expanded with their many activities... .

This photo shows Bob Rebert, embroiled in a fight against a proposed sewage pipe that would cross his farm, walking on an old railroad embankment in 2007.
That railroad embankment has particular significance. Background posts: Abe, Gwyneth passed through Porters Sideling and Pamadeva. Get it? Pennsylvania. Maryland. Delaware. Virginia..

Outside forces are looking to lay sewer and gas lines under Bob Rebert's North Codorus Farm.

He's fighting the sewer line in court believing an ag security program he's under prevents such sewer line construction.

The sewer line, at least, would go under a railroad embankment crossing his farm.

That's not just another railroad embankment that lived a long existence bearing trains carrying farm products to market... .

Anna Dill Gamble, one of York County's most accomplished 20th-century women, is the topic of a question in a women's history quiz put forth by the York Daily Record/Sunday News. Read on to learn more about her. Background posts: OLLI's theme song: 'Don't stop thinking about learning' and York County Civil War hero grandmom of Gore Vidal.

Test your history knowledge on this quiz about women who achieved on the local and national level (answers below, too):

This big World War II mobile siege gun represented the legacies of two industrial giants. Neighboring factories S. Morgan Smith Co. and York Corporation jointly constructed the gun, which could lob 240-pound shells at targets 30 miles away. Background posts: Glatfelter, Morgan Smith head industrial legacy list and 'Little Johnny' called for Allies in World War II.

In a recent York Sunday New column titled "Contributors bring history to life (see below)," I muse about how York County factories historically have made big things and worked hard to tell the world about them.

I tied it to the recent sale of Bradley Lifting, which made big, heavy devices that helped lift big, heavy things.

I went on a riff like this: ... .

The Stewartstown Railroad station dates back to 1915. Those visiting before the historic railroad's excursion runs ended in 2004 could see the original waiting room and ticket office. Background posts: Railroading: 'It's something that gets in your blood'and 'I hope they thoroughly hosed out the cars.'.

In this blog's post What happened to York County's Hungerford, readers learned about Hungerford, a stop on the Stewartstown Railroad.

A York Daily Record story tells about an excursion along the entire 7.2-mile-line, 10 years before that service closed:

On one festive occasion, the grandchildren of Roundtown's Helena and Lester Crone surprised their family by donning aprons and serving as dishwashers. Background posts: Emigsville's Web site tells tales of community's past and Two union churches vestiges of bygone era.

In probing Manchester's Township's past in the recent post Pottery put the other Foustown - the one in Manchester Township - on the map, Roundtown's name popped up. That's the village between Foustown and Emigsville, kind of.

Roundtown?

A worker salvages a sign from the former Futer Bros. Jewelers building on York's Continental Square. It will be restored and might be used inside the restored building. Workers are removing metal siding, restoring it to seven stories and demolishing its awning. Background posts: York landmark Futer Bros. building in new hands and 'I still have my memories ... of the bustling downtown York business district'.

Fellow blogger June Lloyd wrote in her post Which Hartman Building Will Rise in York Square? that the site has been drawn, photographed and colorized into post cards as much as any site in York County in the past 200 years.

A lot has happened to the Hartman Building, as it was then called, after its construction in 1850.

It started on a controversial note... .

The Stewartstown Railroad, operational in 1885, helped businesses in villages along its path get their products to market in the way that an interstate helps grow businesses around its interchanges. Hungerford, south of Shrewsbury, was one such town. The railroad, operating as an excursion line, closed in 2004.Background posts: Often forgotten: Achievements of people named on building facades and Amanda Berry Smith: 'God's image carved in ebony'.

But it could have enjoyed a connection with the Northern Central Railway in its downtown... .

Carrie Nation visited York County for a week-long campaign against drinking and smoking in 1907. She addressed a large gathering at Highland Park in West York. Her address might have taken place in the park theater, pictured above. The park, located at the south end of Highland Avenue, was demolished early in the 20th century. Background posts: Growing off-peak trolley ridership: Build a park and Church's story links up with U.S. religious history.

York resident F.H. Hartley recalled years after Carrie Nation's visit to West Manchester Township's Highland Park in 1907 that a young man stoutly stood in front of her puffing on a cigarette.

He blew smoke directly at the reformer.

At one point, she turned to him and said: "Young fellow, if you keep on smoking those things, you'll have as little brains in your head as you have moisture now."

Perhaps the young man's hard-headed presence that day at Highland Park was appropriate.

The park is gone, covered by rock quarry... .

Harry Flinchbaugh of Red Lion's Flinchbaugh Cigars was a hands-on owner. His factory, along with scores of other cigarmakers, helped Red Lion and other York County communities prosper in the first part of the 20th century. Red Lion may have claim to the top cigarmaking community. "Red Lion: The First 100 Years" notes that the peak number of factories in the borough between 1880 and 1930 was 150. (York County Heritage Trust photo.) Background posts: Cigarmaking Red Lion on top of York County and Red Lion's Ebert Furniture: From bedroom suites to gunstocks.

York County has long put forth products that attract so-called sin taxes.

We have brewed beer in York, distilled whiskey in Foustown and rolled tobacco in Red Lion and scores of other locations throughout the county... .

Dallastown High grad Paul Snyder, right, served 50 years as a player, scout and exec in pro ball. He recently retired from the sport. Background posts: Susquehannock grads make national sports news and Lineup full of sports stars with York County links.

Former Green Bay Packer GM Ron Wolf comes from New Freedom.

Pittsburgh Steeler assistant coach Bruce Arians is from York.

Hanover's Pat Flaharty is the New York Giants' offensive line coach.

Carmen Fusco, former assistant general manager and scout for the New York Mets, operates a baseball academy in Fairview Township.

York County has contributed its fair share of residents to professional sports management. The Atlanta Braves Paul Snyder is perhaps at the top of the pack... .

The first piece of pottery was produced by a Susquehanna-Pfaltzgraff forebear in the early 1800s. Here, Rick Heiner of North Codorus Township works on the last job fired in 2005 in the 200-foot tunnel kiln behind him. According to the York Daily Record/Sunday News, The kiln fired the vast majority of Pfaltzgraff products in recent decades. Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff sold the Pfaltzgraff brand name, intellectual property and retail stores to Lifetime Brands of New York in 2005. The new owner would outsource its pottery-making, and the Thomasville plant closed as a pottery-making operation. Background posts: Original WSBA station hands mic to demolition team and Hidden Loucks School reflects past way of York County life.

The recent York Town Square post Foustown now a ghost town: Raid there once netted 300 barrels of quality firewater told of a hamlet near Glen Rock that grew up around a distillery.

That settlement should not be confused with Foustown in Manchester Township that grew up around pottery... .

As state revenue secretary, Tom Wolf was York County's highest-ranking state official in recent years. Wolf resigned his post on Nov. 12, 2008, and was replaced by fellow York countian Steve Stetler. Background posts: List growing of high state officials hailing from York County, Follow the leader ... George Leader and Wolf joins long list of Yorkers gaining political posts.

Tom Wolf is a respected York County business leader and the most prominent member of the family that long ago loaned its name to Mount Wolf.

He observed his first year as Gov. Ed Rendell's state revenue secretary in February.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News recently interviewed the 59-year-old Wolf on topics that ranged from an appearance on the evening lottery broadcast to reports that he will make a bid for Pennsylvania governor.

That interview follows:

Work is under way on the roof and dome of the old Helb Mansion carriage house, now occupied by Pace Resources, parent of engineering and architectural firm Buchart Horn-/BASCO Associates. The carriage house, 40 S. Richland Ave., has remained standing despite demolition of its accompanying mansion long ago. (Additional picture from the York Daily Record/Sunday News below.) Background posts (involving Buchart-Horn): Yo, Yoe never was Yohe and
Original WSBA station hands mic to demolition team.

Pace Resources is involved in a high-profile rehab project on its unsung headquarters, built in the old Helb Mansion carriage house.

The company occupies another often-overlooked historic structure in the west part of York. In the mid-1990s, the company consolidated its engineering and architectural offices in the old York Corporation-Borg-Warner manufacturing site on West Philadelphia Street and Roosevelt Avenue... .

The William Foust distillery outside Glen Rock was a village in itself. Only a smokestack, deteriorating superstructure and houses remain of this once-bustling company town in an undulating part of York County that serves as a reminder of one of the county's chief cash crops. Background posts: With all those stills, the York County hillbillies?, York County rail trail extension to follow canal towpath and 'You cannot stay stressed here for long'.

William Helb of Railroad was a patriarch in a family that operated the best-known brewery in York County.

Not far away from Railroad in a valley outside Glen Rock, William Foust went for a harder drink. He operated a whiskey distillery in a village that is now a ghost town... .

Gordon Mack worked as a clerk at voting precinct located in the Railroad Borough Municipal Building in this 2005 photograph. Railroad is perhaps York County's most unsung municipality. Background posts: Brewery profits produced landmark West York mansion and 'Rocks in the Glen' turns into town where things happen.

Some York County boroughs always have been defined by their bigger brothers. Yoe's relationship to Dallastown is one combo. Windsor's link with Red Lion is another.

But none are as closely associated as Railroad and Shrewsbury... .

Theodore Helb's brownstone and marble house at West Market Street and Richland Avenue in West York has given way to a gas station. Rehab work is under way to the mansion's historic carriage house (see photograph below) owned by Pace Resources Inc. The carriage house is one of York's grandest remaining such structures, a forerunner to detached garages on properties today. Background posts: Exploring ornate Springdale, sunken ballroom and all, Good stuff found in 'Codorus Valley Chronicles'

The story of the Helb mansion and nearby carriage house (a post on the renovation of its dome with solid copper is forthcoming) starts in the tiny southern York County borough of Railroad.

Railroad, whose name matches its primary reason for existence, was formed in 1871.

The borough served many years before and after its incorporation as a depot for Shrewsbury on the Northern Central Railroad.

It boasted industries of its own, including a tannery, grist mill, brewery, brandy distillery and a furniture company.

Frederick Helb, the borough's first chief burgess, was a force behind several of these interests. The Helb name was particularly connected with brewing and bottling... .