In plain view: The market sheds, standing when people went to bed on a summer evening, were no more when they woke up. People would buy their goods directly from farmers in covered markets. For example, Central Market, not far from the square, would soon go up. Notice the wooden flag pole, that held the town's banner removed by the invading Confederates 24 years before, stands. It, too, would later come down.

Behind the scene: The sheds represented York County's agricultural prowess for years, but many in York, which had warmly embraced the Industrial Revolution, felt the rickety, smelly structures dated the newly minted city. Further, they were in the way of the new trolleys that needed to run through this crossroads transporting people to factories. They clogged up the square where the main road from Philadelphia crossed the main way from Baltimore. Goods from newly built factories must get through. So to thwart growing controversy about whether they should remain up or be torn down, middle-of-the-night ropes around support poles decided the question. This moment, focused in the heart of York, underscored the agriculture versus development battle that continues to this day.

Further details
The book "Never to be Forgotten" (York Daily Record/York County Heritage Trust, 2002) describes the Centre Square sheds and the five covered market houses that replaced them. This image comes from York County Heritage Trust files.

Past posts in this series:

- 400 years ago, John Smith explored Chesapeake Bay - 1 of 20 iconic images

- Declaration signer James Smith tops York County patriot list - 2 of 20 iconic images

- Going to market a longtime York County pastime - 3 of 20 iconic images

- William C. Goodridge: From slavery to success story - 4 of 20 iconic images

- Rebs' short York visit creates long memories - 5 of 20 iconic images

-Artist Horace Bonham captured everyday life - 6/20 iconic images

-York County farm vs. factory tension relieved in overnight raid - 7/20 iconic images

- York County stood firmly behind Allies on all fronts in WW II - 8/20 iconic images

- Downtown thrived in post-WW II York - 9/20 iconic images

- After WWII success, Farquhar sells assets to out-of-town outfit - 10/10 iconic images.

- Sears, York County Shopping Center in the middle of things - 11/20 iconic photos

- Three Mile Island emergency indelibly written into memories - 12/20 iconic photos.

- People of varying religious groups founded York County - 13/20 iconic photos

- President Reagan: 'Harley is back and standing tall' - 14/20 iconic photos

- Mayor of York, Pa.: 'We are no longer unprotected' - 15/20 iconic photos

- Grange Hall represented past way of York County life - 16/20 iconic photos.

- York County Honors Choir product of proud moment - 17/20 iconic photos.

- Meeting of riot victims brought hope for racial accord - 18/20 iconic images.

- Property rights foundational factor in Lauxmont dispute - 19/20 iconic photos.

- New baseball diamond serves as York cornerstone - 20/20 iconic photos

- Season 2 of York's campaign to come back - Iconic photos 21-23

- York on knees as its men storm Normandy beaches - Iconic photos 24-25

- One image illustrates two long-neglected subjects in York area - Iconic photos 26-27

- Images explain changes in York County factories - iconic photos 28-29.