June 2008 Archives

Motorists on Interstate 83 can see treeless land near Lake Redman. The York Water Co., owner of this water supply lake, has cut down the trees because of their age and mile-a-minute weed damage. An expert gardener once wrote in the York Daily Record that the weed earns its name "Devil's Tail Tear Heart" or "Asiatic Tear Thumb" because the plant's reddish stem is armed with downward pointing hooks or barbs. Background posts: Rainmaker's visit indicated much awry in York, Where did Camp Betty Washington Road get its name?, Memorial honoring alcohol-related accident victims should be visited

That mile-a-minute vine, with supposed York County origins, that is becoming viewed as the kudzu of the east?

Well, its origins are actually are muddy. But it's damage is clear, as evidenced by the damage it's causing to tree and other plant life at Lake Redman.

Teresa Boeckel of the York Daily Record/Sunday News (6/29/08) explored the weed and its supposed origin at a nursery in southern York County:

Ed Beck of the Manchester area saw recent York Town Square photos of a trolley car crossing the Conewago Creek, submitted by kinsman Ed Beck of York Township. He put forth this drawing, part of an old flier designed to sell a home on Conewago Summit, near trolley destination Cold Springs Park. Conewago crossing near Manchester hot spot for years, Starbucks roasting plant tucked into corner of York County and Wolf Man. Wolfchester. No, the village of Mount Wolf.

Old Cold Springs Park near Manchester has long been known as a trolley or electric park, built to enhance trolley traffic during off peak times.

For Ed Beck, who has lived near the former park for years, it was known as Atlantic City... .

This Civil War poster can be accessed at http://www.inyork.com/gettysburg. Readers can pan or scroll to read the presentation. Background posts: Gettysburg Visitors Center gets buzz but courts to decide about old cyclorama, Gettysburg battlefield produces steady supply of news and History making evening on rebel surrender of York.

Several things came together to inspire the York Daily Record/Sunday News to produce the poster "A soldier's life."

The opening of the new visitors center at Gettysburg is one. And it's the 145th anniversary of the battle. Interest grows on these fifth-year anniversaries.

And York County's interest in the Confederate occupation is increasing. (See the beefed up York Daily Record/Sunday News Web site East of Gettysburg... .

The comfort stations under York's Continental Square have historical origins. Background posts: Foustown now a ghost town: Raid there once netted 300 barrels of quality firewater, Brewery profits produced landmark West York mansion, 'Good grief, how long has that pool been here?'

Tourists looking at downtown York's many sites may wistfully view winding steps leading to the closed-down Continental Square comfort stations.

Up to 1978, these underground restrooms, nearing their 80th birthday, were consistently open.

Since then, they've been closed, opened and then mostly closed, depending, in part, on the financial condition of the city.

But these restrooms are grounded in history... .

Confederate Gen. Jubal Early issued this handbill touting his magnanimity in not burning the town. Some people in York saw the address as an attempt to undermine the authority of the U.S. government. Background posts: The horrors of Civil War struck York after Sumter, Chambersburg seminars spread awareness of south central Pennsylvania Civil War history, Was York's surrender justified?

A large crowd attended a panel presentation this week on the Confederate occupation of York - the invasion that commenced 145 years ago today.

A suggestion that seemed to resonate was to hold a daylong symposium on various aspects of the town's surrender and occupation. With more time, we could present a true pro/con on the surrender decision, something beyond the scope of this week's panel.

Stay tuned for all that.

The following (to be published in the York Sunday News - 7-29) is adapted from my opening and closing remarks as moderator of the panel made up of Mark Snell, Scott Mingus, June Lloyd and Scott Butcher:

Charlotte Halpin and others from C.B. 'Red' Klinedinst's bike shop pose outside the store at 113-117 S. Duke St. in York, circa 1950. Now it appears the shop's days are numbered. Background posts: Cyclist uses legs on York County rail trail, York County rail trail extension to follow canal towpath and Downtown thrived in post-World War II York.

York County's rail trail system has revived interest in local cycling.

But county residents were taken to cycling 100 years ago, as evidenced by the establishment of C.B. "Red Klinedinst's" shop, still in operation.

Those were days when bike races on the track at the York Fairgrounds were well attended.

Back then bikes meant bicycles, not Harleys... .

'All in One Room,' a 100-page book on one-room schools in York County and beyond, is back from the printers. To order the $34.95 book, call 717-767-6397, stop by 1891 Loucks Road or York Borders or check on the Web at http://www.inyork.com/schoolhouses. Background posts: Can you name this mystery school?<, No church-state separation here and One-room schools fascinate readers.

York Weekly Record editor Joan Concilio noticed the stirring of intense interest when handling print and Web stories involving one-room schools.

She created a one-room school Web section that just served to generate even more interest.

Then she floated an idea: Why don't we do a one-room school book.

That concept became reality, and the York Daily Record/Sunday News' "All in One Room" returned from the printers today.

And it contained the following introduction by Joan Concilio with a poignant story about John O'Keefe, who was in a one-room school most of his long life:

The Big Mount house in Paradise Township where Confederate Gen. Jubal Early stayed on June 27, 1863, was up for sale when this photo was taken in 2004. The next day, the three rebel brigades accompanying Early tramped through along the countryside on Canal and other roads, including those in the Admire and Davidsburg area of Dover Township before hitting the Carlisle Road at Weigelstown. Background posts: Owner seeks info on old turnpike toll house, York County photo collection adds to historical record, Jubal Early heard booming of Battle of Hanover's guns.

The 145th anniversary of the Confederate occupation of York County brings to mind the fortunes of those villages in the path of the rebel horde.

Dover Township's Admire is one of those settlements that Gen. Jubal Early's men marched through on their way to York. Like most villages in York County, Admire has interesting stories attached to it.

It was originally known as Slabtown and then Newport.

According to historian George Prowell, when storekeeper Swiler Kunkle was selected postmaster, Voltaire was selected... .

Brad Smith, dressed as a Confederate corporal, took part in the 2005 dramatization of York's surrender to rebel forces in June 1863. The re-enactment is scheduled again this year, along with a panel presentation on the occupation of York and other Patriot Days activities. Background posts: The Four Bloggers write, Panel to explore pre-Gettysburg rebel occupation and Pro/Con: Should York's leaders have surrendered to the rebels?

The York-area's link to the Civil War has been the topic of extensive research and writing in the past five years.

For decades, the best book-length references on York County in the Civil War - and particularly Jubal Early's occupation of York in the pre-Battle of Gettysburg days of 1863 - came as chapters in W.S. Nye's "Here Comes the Rebels!" and Edwin Coddington's "The Gettysburg Campaign."

So in preparing remarks as moderator for Wednesday evening's panel discussion on Confederate occupation of York (7 p.m., June 25, York County Heritage Trust), I inventoried some of the work done on the Civil War since about 2002.

There's a lot... .

McCrory's was one of leading five-and-dame stores in downtown York in the 20th century. Murphy's, at the left of this picture, was perhaps the most visible on the corner of York's Continental Square. McCrory's longtime Springettsbury Township warehouse will soon have new tenants. Background posts: York County: '... A smorgasbord of architectural styles', Declaration signer's marker mounted in obscurity and Sears: From top dog to hot dogs ... .

McCrory's was one of downtown York's premier five-and-dimes during the city's downtown heyday.

Those stores included Murphy's, Woolworth's, Grant's, Green's and Kresge's.

But McCrory's enjoyed a special relationship with York after Meshulam Riklis purchased the company in 1960 and moved its home office and distribution center to York County in 1963... .

Linda Woodward is feted as William Penn High School's homecoming queen in 1967. She was the first black person crowned as homecoming queen at York High. Background posts: York's first Latino councilman temporarily state top Dem, Last dance. Spring Grove High School building filled with history and Tales of four schools tell about changes in York County education.

The graduation season just passed brings to mind the year 1967 and the firsts scored that school year.

The William Penn High School's senior class elected Linda Woodward as the school's first black homecoming queen.

She headed a parade caravan to Small Field for the homecoming game against Steel High... .

The market sheds in York's Centre Square were intact in this photo, as the Hartman Building, tallest in York, looms in the background. The dating of this photo is a bit elusive because no flag pole is apparent between the sheds. That would place the photo before the early 1860s. But was photography advanced enough in the 1850s to get this shot? At any rate, after the sheds and flag pole came down post late-June 1887, the square was clear and has been so ever since. Background posts: York's western gate: One image says so much, Farm vs. factory tension relieved by overnight raid and Late June has seen pivotal moments in York County history.

By now the story is familiar.

In the middle of the night in late June 1887, someone hooked ropes up to the supporting pools of York's Centre Square market sheds.

The sheds came tumbling down, and so did the symbolic and real impediments to the movement of people and goods through the heart of York. And thus did industrialization and development symbolically gain the upper hand in agrarian and bucolic York County.

The episode has a postlude, as outlined in a 1927 special section in The Gazette and Daily... .

On the evening of Aug. 14, 1945, York County residents joined a massive national V-J celebration, marking the war's end. The largest county assembly occurred in York's Continental Square. Here, holding a special V-J edition are, from left, L. Allen Wolfgang, Richard E. Wolfgang and Lloyd E. (Pud) Wolfgang. Paul S. Wolfgang, who provided this photo, is at far left. Background posts: The first in (World) War (II), Perhaps the last in (World) War (II), 20 questions and answers to prove your York County smarts, Part III

The World War II Battle of Okinawa ended 63 years ago on Saturday.

And we're somewhere near the midway point between the often forgotten V-E Day - May 8 - and V-J Day - August 14.

So, here are 20 questions to focus us on York County's contributions to the war that spawned the Greatest Generation:

This is one of hundreds of propaganda posters designed to raise morale and reinforce defense themes during World War II. Many were colorful and attractive, undertaken by name-brand artists. But this one caused a stir. Background posts: "Little Johnny" helped win the war, The bomb: 'And yet it helped win the war', and Katharine Beecher made candy in World War II.

Propaganda posters appeared in York County and across America in high-traffic areas during World War II - schools, factories, offices and store windows.

As I stated in my history of York County in World War II, "In the thick of the fight," these posters reminded Americans why they were fighting and what the fight was for.

The posters were designed to raise morale. But this particular poster "Wanted! For Murder," raised a ruckus... .

During a drought in 2004, a land bridge, probably an old farm lane, connected the marina at Codorus State Park's Lake Marburg to Long Island, or Long Peninsula at that moment. The island contained the remains of an old farmhouse and bank barn that made way for the lake. Its waters covered the town of Marburg Flats and part of old Route 216. The lake made news in the drought of 2004 for its dwindling water supply, and the drowning of a teen girl this week propelled the 1,275-acre reservoir back into the headlines. Background posts: 18th-century brownfield now parkland, Is it Pigeon Hills or Pidgeon Hills?, Worker saved key historical surveys from Glatfelter pulping machine.

To fill its massive water demands, Glatfelter paper built Lake Lehman in 1942.

It built Lake PahaGaCo (P.H. Glatfelter Co.) in 1955. It supplemented PaHaGaCo's 1.3 billion gallons with water from the Thomasville Stone & Lime Company quarries.

But the severe drought of 1963 proved that more water was needed. That was a moment that communities even resorted to cloud seeding... .

These two views show York's Continental Square looking south. That's the Hartman Building, later Futer Bros., at left and the Colonial Hotel, right. Actually, the bottom view is dated. Futer Bros. has closed, and the new owner has removed the siding in renovating the building. Background posts: Contractor: Keeping old Futer Bros. building's integrity not hard, but costly,
'Skyscrapers' have shaped York's skyline since 1850 and Cobblers: 'There's still a need for us'

Read 19th-century documents and York's Centre Square often pops up.

But it's known as Continental Square today.

When and why the change?

A trolley car crosses the Conewago Creek bridge near Manchester in this undated photo appearing in the York Sunday News years ago. To see how the scene look sans trolley and bridge, see below. Ed Beck of York Township provided these photos. Background posts: Building off-peak trolley ridership: Build a park, Research offers insight into York County's trolleys and Transportation of workers fueled York County's trolley system.

The point where trolleys crossed the Conewago Creek has been the scene of many events over the years. Today, it's a quiet river crossing area... .

Tom Trout, worker for the contractor that demolished the Ore Valley school in June 2007, grew up a half-mile away from the school, at the corner of Springwood and Camp Betty Washington roads. 'It's kind of sad to see it go, but you can't stand in the way of progress,' he said. The passing of the school is indicative of change taking place in York Township's Ore Valley. Background posts: One-room school memories flow from reader fingertips, One-room schools: 'That's when things were good.' and Where did Camp Betty Washington Road get its name?

York Township's Ore Valley is known to be one of the fastest-growing parts of York County.

And its growth has only just begun.

Bridgewater, a 537-unit mixed use development that could be phased in over 15 years, is moving along. It will be built on Springwood Golf Course land.

Ore Valley could someday be called Ore City.

But where did the "ore" come from in this bucolic former farming area? ...

Scott Stevens, a relative newcomer to York, e-mailed about whether a historical monument marked the birthplace of George Robert Stibitz, widely called the father of modern computing.

The short answer is that no marker is in place anywhere in York County feting Stibitz. In fact, a quick check at the usual local sources brought scant information of Stibitz, a Dartmouth mathematician born in York on April 30, 1904.

But he is all over the Web... .

Loretta Claiborne long jumps in Special Olympics competition in York in 2007 - the competition which launched her achievements.

Someone recently nominated Loretta Claiborne as one of York County's top 25 most influential people, in a sampling conducted by the York Sunday News.

The York Sunday News named Claiborne in the top 10 sports achievers in 20th-century York County.

Though only in her 50s, she already has her name on the side of a building on South George Street in York.

But those are just local accolades... .

This image, used as a basis for a large-scale panel in the York County Heritage Trust's Murals of York series, shows Dr. George Holtzapple deploying oxygen to treat a Loganville pneumonia patient. This image appeared in York Hospital's history 'That Sovereign Knowledge.' Tradition has it that this pioneering treatment took place in the house's basement. Background posts: Looking for a local history research project? and Of surgical saws, bloodletting and Brown's in Loganville: 'I didn't know a peach tree from an apple tree, but we learned quickly.'

Lois Stoner, a nurse in York, e-mailed recently wondering why the Loganville house where Dr. George Holtzapple saved young pneumonia sufferer Frederick Gable's life is not marked with a historical monument.

She raises a good point ... .

Hands still bandaged, Principal Norina Bentzel embraces prosecutor Edward A. Paskey after a York County judge sentenced William Michael Stankewicz to 132 to 264 years in prison. Stankewicz was sentenced for his Feb. 2, 2001, machete attack on Bentzel, members of her staff, and students at North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School. (See photo of assailant below.) Background posts: All school posts from the start and York County's most notorious crimes and 16 York County Good Samaritans honored with Carnegie Medals since 1906.

Heroic former Red Lion Area School District principal Norina Bentzel appeared on nationally televised Biography Channel's "I Survived ..." this week.

Bentzel fended off the machete-wielding madman William Stankewicz in 2001, minimizing an attack that left two teachers and 11 children injured, but none killed.

This photo from the Stewartstown Historical Society might show the result of a 1923 accident on the Stewartstown Railroad, the worst in its history dating back to 1885. With multiple railroads crossing York County, its rail history is filled with accidents (The Great Watermelon train wreck) and near accidents (The unsolved mystery of locomotive No. 1689). Background posts: What was it like aboard the Stewartstown Railroad?, Whatever happened to York County's Hungerford? and Is mystery railroad the old Shrewsbury narrow gauge?

One day in 1923, a car carrying several passengers and crew members becomes uncoupled from a train on the Stewartstown Railroad and drifts down a grade.

A freight train, going at a rapid speed, meets it head on and plows through the passenger coach "telescoping" about two-thirds of the length of the car... .

The York Sunday New rated Bob Hoffman, founder of York Barbell, at the top of the top 10 York and Adams counties sports figures in the 20th century. Background posts: Lineup full of stars with York County links, Author muscles way into York's body building world and Richard Nixon's visit to his namesake park sparks memories.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News publication of the 25 most influential people in York County sparked much community discussion.

The same was true in 2000 when the York Sunday News issued its list of the 20th-century's top 10 sports people.

Bob Hoffman headed the list on the strength of his role as five-time Olympic weightlifting coach and his founding of York Barbell.

His selection - and others in the top 10 - brought accord and also disagreement... .

Abe Amoros, York's first Latino city councilman and a top official in the Pennsylvania's Democratic Party, is seen in his role as president of the York City Little League Board of Directors during groundbreaking ceremonies in 2005 for two regulation Little League fields at York's Allen Park. Background posts: Delma Rivera, 'Legacies,' Part II, York Spanish Council organized 33 years ago and First York City Latino councilman temporarily state's top appointed Dem.

Another photo in York Town Square's series of iconic images - images that tell a story about York County and its history:

This scene could come from the Smoky Mountains. But York Daily Record/Sunday News photographer Bil Bowden captured this near old Lock 12 on the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal. Background posts: A far different view of York County, Pennsylvania and water: The river runs through it, Readers can view best of Bil Bowden's photos on new blog and Photographer tramps to the far reaches of York County.

Another photo in York Town Square's series of iconic images - images that tell a story about York County and its history:

This image, from Aldersgate United Methodist Church's Web site shows the concrete image of Jesus, standing at the location of the congregation's longtime prized copper beech tree. Holocaust statue a must-see, Memorial honoring DUI victims should be visited and AIDS memorial at York's Albemarle Park .

While attending the viewing of longtime York Daily Record columist Jim Hubley at York Township's Aldersgate United Methodist Church, I saw the landmark cement monument depicting Jesus.

It reminded me of the church's copper beech tree.

Or rather, it reminded me of Mike Argento's story on the tree, later carved into a wooden rendition of Jesus and later a cement image.

Well, we'll let Mike tell the story (11/29/01), published in the York Daily Record before the cement image went up:

East King Street's Aquilla Howard School, named after the early black leader of York, was one of two segregated elementary schools opened in 1931 to educate Southern black people who had come north for jobs in industrial York. Smallwood School was the other. It was sold in 1962 and later demolished. Background posts: A short test of your black history knowledge, Freedman Aquilla Howard kisses earth as canal boat passed Mason-Dixon Line and York, Pa.'s Crispus Attucks Center scores intriguing start.

Shirley Proctor Poindexter, SPPoind1171@aol.com, wrote with questions about Aquilla Howard, the freedman, honored as York's representative to place flowers on the bier of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train, and a longtime superintendent of York's A.M.E. Zion Church.

He came to York in about 1856 and died at the age of 87 in 1923.

Davy Crockett and other luminaries visited Charles Barnitz's Springdale Mansion after its opening in 1828. Crockett did not impress certain members of the Barnitz household. Background posts: Exploring ornate Springdale Mansion, Imagine: 70-foot boat navigated York County's Codorus Creek and Who were York County's most influential citizens, Part I.

Maureen Beattie of Longmeadow, Mass., found an old letter - and part of a York County legend - at a garage sale.

She e-mailed with these details:

It is addressed to Mary M. Barnitz, c/o Herman Cope Esq., Cincinnatti, Ohio. Handwritten above the addressee is 'free C.A. Barnitz". The body of the letter is in tatters, but there is one whole area that says: ...

When the Harper's Weekly artist captured this scene at York's Camp Scott early in the Civil War, many thought the conflict would be shortlived. Even so, the presence of the camp was no picnic from the beginning. Men died from disease and accidents during drills. And stressed townspeople provided nursing and other resources for the camp and accommodated soldiers in their homes. Background posts: 'One of the shells found its mark'', Both Yanks, Rebs camped at old York Fairgrounds, In search of proof that the York Fair is the oldest.

Despite the pagentry associated in drawings of Camp Scott - the old York Fairgrounds converted to military camp - its presence gave many York County residents early first-hand knowledge of the horrors of war.

Just after the firing on Fort Sumter, the fairgrounds took on a martial air soon after sabotage of the Northern Central Railroad between York and Baltimore and unrest in Baltimore - both by Southern sympathizers - meant Northern troops could travel no farther south.

They settled at the fairgrounds, then southeast of the King and Queen street intersection, the first of tens of thousands to camp and train there. Soldiers slept on straw in sheds designed for livestock... .

Cassandra Morris Small experienced the Confederate occupation of York in late June 1863 and wrote letters to a cousin giving an account of the horrors of the invasion. She will be among the people discussed in an upcoming panel exploring the rebel invasion. Background post: Tale of a headless soldier, Headless soldier regains its noggin and Years after Civil War, (a) Longstreet steps onto York County soil.

For years, the York area virtually ignored its Civil War history.

The wrenching surrender to the invading Confederates overshadowed the hosting of a Civil War hospital, community support of a large basic training camp and the courage of the thousands of fighting men who served and the probable hundreds who died... .

Met-Ed lines follow the old trolley bed between Spring Grove and York. Evidence of such poles and bridge supports are evident today along the line that follows few roads through rural southeastern York County. The proposed Hanover rail trail, which recently moved ahead, would follow this grade. Background posts: York, Pa.'s trolley kiosk, called "Teapot Dome," popular little building, No light at the end of this abandoned (Pa. Turnpike) tunnel, Little school house in Hanover.

Some in Hanover, Pa., believe York, Pa., is in a different county - or country.

And vice versa.

So when the York Daily Record/Sunday News runs a story showing work has begun on the first rail trail link, that's news indeed... .

This photo shows the York County Academy, a forerunner to York College of Pennsylvania, in 1922. A recent book about York College is recommended summer reading. (See additional photo of academy's gym below.) Background posts: Two 'connectors' would make list of York County's most influential, Striking architecture lined York's South Duke Street, Cuban expert Jim Higgins: 'He was just another journalist ... with opinions', From Manchester to St. Augustine .

My York Sunday News column dealt with the importance of reading, including reading books that help explain the area in which we live.

I put forth the following titles as possibilities for your summer reading list. See what you think. ...

Theresa Krout with New Hope Fissel's United Church of Christ holds a petrified, severed human finger and several teeth found during renovations in 2002 of an old stone home located on church grounds. Many items were unearthed during renovations of the Shrewsbury Township farmhouse: Egg cartons store old belt buckles and girdle clips, baby food jars hold nails, yogurt containers carry broken china and a coffee can has pottery pieces. 'We kept looking for that pot of gold, but it never came,' Krout says of the items found. Background posts: Two York County union churches vestiges of bygone era, Parade Music Prince Roland Seitz: From Shrewsbury to Friday Night Lights and The things you learn reading local history.

The discovery of the interesting photo of Fissel's one-room school places a spotlight on that area surrounding Susquehannock High School.

Where did name Fissel's, as nearby New Hope United Church of Christ is called, come from?

And what is the story of the severed pinkie finger founds during renovations to an 1823 house about six years ago?... .

The York County Courthouse stands at the turn of the 20th century, flanked by the Security & Title Co. building, left, and the Marshall House, a hotel, right in this photo from Scott Butcher's York, Postcard History Series. The courthouse is on a short list of the tallest buildings in York. Background posts: Restoring old Futer Bros. building's integrity not hard, but costly, Buildings reveal a bit about York and York County ... 'A smorgasbord of architectural styles'

First, William C. Goodridge built his four-story building in the late 1840s on York's Centre Square.

Actually, it could be counted as five stories with skylight windows.

Then, John Hartman out built him with a six-story building across the square.

Actually, the building had a cupola and a seventh story was reportedly later built. (To see drawings of the two buildings, visit: York landmark Futer Bros. building in new hands)... .

Fifty-one years ago, Daisy Myers and her family were victims of racial harassment after they moved into a new home in Levittown, Pa. This incident was included in a recent New York Times Magazine article. This is the cover of her autobiography telling about her Levittown experience, available at www.yorkheritage.org. Background posts: Daisy Myers: Rosa Parks of the North, A short test of your York, Pa., black history knowledge and Doris Kearns Goodwin gives tips to analyze presidential hopefuls.

Daisy Myers has been a York County resident going on 50 years. She has been in high-profile positions as a York City Schools administrator and assistant to Congressman Bill Goodling.

But many York countians aren't aware that she and her family made national news for holding out against racial harassment after moving into their dream home in the planned community of Levittown in Bucks County in 1957.

From time to time, their courage is remembered... .

Architect Murphy & Dittenhafer's rendering of what the York (Pa.) Museum of Art (YOMA) could look like if the idea put forth by the Brenner administration comes to fruition. (See photo of site below.) Background posts: Temporary river art collection may find permanent home along Susquehanna, Resources for York/Adams history junkies increasingly posted on Web and To those seeking to donate York County artifacts to preserve and present history.

The proposed York Museum of Art has intriguing hooks.

Organizers are:

A slow-moving tractor tows bales of hay along Grandview Road in Jackson Township in 2007. The township has long been agricultural in nature. "The land of Jackson Township is fertile and productive, and its owners are industrious and prosperous," historian George Prowell wrote in 1907. But the township's location along the turnpike - later the Lincoln Highway and Route 30 - and the Western Maryland Railroad also meant it has played host to its share of industry. Soon, an Arm & Hammer plant is expected to operate there. Background posts: Part of York County's past goes on the auction block, York County railroading: 'Something that gets in your blood' and Old Lincoln Highway pulled 'Americans out of the mud'.

Jackson Township, carved from Paradise Township in 1857, is slated to be home to a new Arm & Hammer laundry detergent plant and distribution center.

Though a longtime farming township with a productive limestone and red shale soil, its position along the former York-Gettysburg Turnpike and the presence of the Western Maryland Railroad meant that businesses have long been operated there... .

The parlor of the Brownstone building, annex to Martin Library, is the first stop on an upcoming tour on Friday, June 6. Here, designer Diane Replogle stands in the finished parlor before the Martin Library's renovations were shown off to the public in 2005. (See additional photos below). Background posts: Dempwolf architects built York's skyline, history, Striking architecture lined York's South Duke Street and York County smorgasbord of architectural styles.

Historian Georg Sheets' upcoming tour of Victorian York highlights a misunderstood fact about architecture in York city... .

John Horner exits the barn built by his ancestors in Mount Joy Township in 1840. He's concerned that the farm will pass into other hands when he passes away. Background links: Demolished Red Lion Grange Hall still tells tale of changing York County, Mother Goose teaches York County history lessons and Going to market a longtime York County pastime.

John Horner is an Adams County farmer who expects to be the last of his line working land that has been in his family's hands for more than 200 years.

The farm might remain a farm, thanks to its placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

But it received that status after labor-intensive and tedious paperwork... .

Sherry Dunbar is a green-coffee specialist at Starbucks' East Manchester Township roasting plant. She smells unfiltered coffee before sampling it. She is a professional coffee taster, and quality control specialists like Dunbar must approve all beans from around the world before they get the Starbucks stamp. Another Starbucks plant to service the southeast U.S. is expected to open in 2009. Background posts: York County farm vs. factory tension relieved in overnight raid, Images explain changes in York County factories, farms and York County agrarianism vs. industrialization, Part I.

The sign at the Starbucks in Chinatown in Washington, D.C., stated: "Brewed at York Plant, roasted 5/13/08."

You've seen them and probably wondered: What's the "York Plant?" ... .

During a visit to the area last week, David Whelchel stopped at the monument to his great-grandfather Lt. Gen. James Longstreet at the battlefield in Gettysburg. Whelchel is married to a York County native. Background links: Local Civil War Roundtable gets new digs, Noted writer to blog on local Civil War scene and Unsung farmhouse loud symbol of a shaping moment for York.

Jubal A. Early commanded the 6,000-plus Confederates who overran the York area and reached the banks of the Susquehanna River in Wrightsville in late June 1863.

He was part of Richard Ewell's corps.

James Longstreet was another of Robert E. Lee's corps commanders (A.P. Hill was the third.)

Longstreet's men never made it farther east than Cemetery Ridge during Pickett's charge, also known as Longstreet's assault, during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Had Longstreet's men broken through and won the battle, they might have kept going east to York County on their way to capture Harrisburg, the prized Northern state capital... .

York native Mark Innerst's 'Old Shakey' - the Walnut Street Bridge in Harrisburg - has appeared as part of the "Visions of the Susquehanna" traveling exhibit. Plans are under way to find such paintings a permanent York County home. Background posts: Exhibit captures decades-long flow of wide Susquehanna, Susquehanna River helped mold part of Pa.'s southern tier and Columbia's clock museum set presidential timepiece exhibit opening.

Part of the "Visions of the Susquehanna" collection of art could wind up in York County's Long Level.

Curator Rob Evans and the Lancaster-York Heritage Region are seeking to place pieces from the traveling exhibit into a visitor's education center, part of the Susquehanna Heritage Park... .

Two of York County's most influential leaders shake hands at York's Susquehanna Commerce Center's opening in 2005. Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff President Louis J. Appell Jr. and York Mayor John Brenner celebrate the occasion. Background posts: Influential citizens, Part I, Who is Bob Kinsley? and First York City Latino councilman temporarily state's top appointed Dem.

York Daily Record/Sunday News readers came through with dozens of recommendations for the most influential people of York County.

The newspaper staff and editorial board added some of their own and came up with a list that is certain to draw scrutiny.

We pondered particularly what to do with Jim Grove, the far-right activist who is effective in the courts in protecting First Amendment rights, even if his abrasive techniques in practicing free speech impair his messages more than promote them. You'll see how we handled his nomination below... .