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: April 2008
A virtual photo tour – and an actual tour – of York County’s vintage Schultz House
Historic York is offering a tour of Springettsbury Township’s Johannes and Cristina Schultz House and surrounding buildings. The event is set for 5 p.m. (reception) and 6 p.m. (program), Thursday, May 15. Local author and blogger Scott Butcher will present … Continue reading
York newspaperman J.W. Gitt rejected Barry Goldwater’s ad money
Barry Goldwater, right, and his veep candidate William Miller took extreme positions that did not set well with York County voters in 1964. York countians backed Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson by a 57,366 to 32,846 vote. Goldwater’s politics didn’t set … Continue reading
Hillary Clinton apparently closer to middle than Obama in minds of York County Dems
Hundreds crowded the intersection of Beaver and West Market streets to see Hillary Clinton the Saturday before the primary. Background posts: Why did JFK lose to Richard Nixon, Historians, journalists benefit from work of their forebears and People still remember … Continue reading
Crowd to Truman on second York visit: ‘Give ‘em h—, Harry’
Ron Busser, commander of Korean War Veterans Post 178, unveils York, Pa.’s, Korean War Memorial in 2005. The war wore on President Harry S. Truman and his ratings, and he opted not to seek a second full term in 1952. … Continue reading
Harry S. Truman’s first York visit: ‘A statesman is only a dead politician’
York County’s David Hibbs, aboard the destroyer escort USS Bunch in World War II, still has the ship’s logbooks, including a few exciting entries about suicide aircraft and boats during his time in the Pacific. This entry was posted a … Continue reading
Gettysburg, Pa.’s Dwight D. Eisenhower was often seen around York and Adams counties
Retired Gettysburg residents President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, were patrons of Thomas Bros. Country Store and Museum in Biglerville, Pa. Photos of the Eisenhowers are placed around the store. Background posts: Gettysburg’s Ike and Manchester’s Henry, Book … Continue reading
Why did JFK lose to Nixon in York County?
This poster helped draw people to the York Fair to hear Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy speak in 1960. But Republican Richard Nixon drew more votes from York countians than Kennedy. Background posts: Ted Kennedy’s visit to York comes … Continue reading
York-area woodcarver made life-size JFK statue. But where is it now?
Walter S. Langhine of Weigelstown, Pa., spent four months carving this wooden statue of John F. Kennedy in 1964. Jacqueline Kennedy’s staff supplied him with JFK’s dimensions. Background posts: JFK’s visit to York a long-remembered event, Bob Yost: ‘King of … Continue reading
Bobby Kennedy spoke to Foremen’s Club in York about labor racketeering
Robert F. Kennedy, signing autographs at an unspecified location on the campaign trail in 1964, was following in his assassinated brother’s footsteps. Lyndon Johnson received received his party’s nod that year and eventually served a full term as president. Bobby … Continue reading
Where exactly was Cottage Hill College in York?
The Cottage Hill College, north of the Codorus Creek in York, Pa., served as a woman’s school for about 30 years starting in 1849. The building is believed to have been leveled about 1900. But a vestige of the ornate … Continue reading
