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: September 2008
York community leader: ‘We didn’t have equal opportunity to achieve’
Voni B. Grimes graduated from York’s William Penn Senior High School mid-year in 1942. This is his graduation photo. Background posts: New book gives insight into Voni B. Grimes, Who are York County’s most influential people? and A short test … Continue reading
York’s Shady Dell’s in bad shape: ‘It still has a pool table and ice cream bar …’
The Shady Dell, longtime teen hangout in Spring Garden Township, was known throughout York County including an annual visit to the fair. The Dell has been closed for more than a decade and its buildings are deteriorating. Background posts: Shady … Continue reading
One-room school teachers of yore given limited time to court
Teachers in one-room schools in the 1870s had tall orders inside and outside of their classroom. Background posts: Interesting Web site dedicated to country schools, Can you identify this mystery school, believed to be in York County? and Two tales … Continue reading
This York Fair mural is fading from sight
This closeup of a cake is part of a York Fair panel, one of 18 that make up the Murals of York. This photo from 2005 shows that this 120-foot by 24-foot mural on the East Market Street Parking Garage … Continue reading
Small Field missed a shining moment but could again claim a ray of York County’s spotlight
The demolition of buildings in ‘the Swamp’ part of York in August 2006 to make way for the stadium opened a view of Small Field, right, background, across the Codorus Creek. At one time, Small Field was a stadium site … Continue reading
Navy SEAL Neil C. Roberts: ‘In this simple grave … lies a national hero’
The body of Navy SEAL Neil C. Roberts was laid to rest at Prospect Hill Cemetery in 2006, four years after he died in Afghanistan at the hands of al-Qaida. Background posts: Hammer-wielding Yorkers helped to nail kaiser’s noggin , … Continue reading
Young curators produce York Fair exhibit: ‘A Fair of Our Own’
That’s a display of a two-headed calf under inspection, part of a York Fair exhibit junior curators put together at the York County Heritage Trust, 250 E. Market St., York. Background posts: One image illustrates two long-neglected subjects in York … Continue reading
Memories about ‘The Oaks’ pile up – Part II
This image, appearing on the Class of ’66 White Oaks Reunion site, comes from an earlier era but shows the variety of ways that Manchester Township’s White Oak Park was used in its heyday. The building here is playing host … Continue reading
Bury’s Burgers secret sauce: ‘You won’t get that recipe’
Betty Bury Harmon,right, continues to sell her family’s namesake burger at the York Fair, one of two stands to do so. York County food-related posts: Before Geno’s made news in Philly, Gino’s headlined in York, From top dog and hot … Continue reading
