November 2008 Archives

Dave Herman of the Kinsley Education Center shows the old trolley kiosk that sat for years in York's Continental Square. Kinsley is renovating the kiosk and found that its copper roof could not be saved. The cost of a new roof will be $8,000. The door, windows, glass and some of the framework at all originals. (See video by the York Daily Record/Sunday News' Paul Kuehnel below.) Background posts: Hanover trolley bed work seen as 'springboard to accelerate future phases of the trail', Research offers insights about York County's trolleys and From war bonds to pets and people .

Last time we looked into the old trolley kiosk, Teapot Dome, it was in the shop.

Well, it's still in the shop awaiting funding to replace an $8,000 copper roof.

A recent York Daily Record/Sunday News story on its status brought comments typical of those who look at such costs either as a waste of money or an investment in our heritage... .

An errant motorist ran into this steel bridge on Ridge Road at Bentz Mill Road in Washington Township in the northwestern tip of York County, causing the bridge to collapse. York Daily Record/Sunday News photographer Paul Kuehnel captured this unusual photo. Background posts: PennDOT not selling the Brooklyn Bridge but lesser structures on market , York County photo collection adds to historical record and Once popular Ganoga Bridge now lightly used York County landmark.

Take another of the picturesque steel bridge off of the books in York County.

A driver who allegedly had too much to drink struck a half truss bridge over the North Branch of the Bermudian Creek near the Adams County line recently.

Truss bridges are the Tinkertoy type with overhead steel beams... .

This First Thanksgiving marker is a bit off the street in downtown York unlike the other dozen markers that relate to the Continental Congress' visit to York in 1777-78. It's located in a park that offers a bit of sanctuary to the lunchtime sandwich crowd, located between M&T Bank and the East Market Street Parking Garage. Background posts: Where was Thomas Jefferson when Congress met in York?, American Revolution was a young man's fight and York Town Square's American Revolution category .

York County has put forth many interesting claims to fame over the years, some of which are hard to prove: York Fair is the nation's oldest. York was the Detroit of the East. York was the nation's first capital.

Another one of these is that the first national Thanksgiving was spawned from York. There's something to the nuanced claim, but not enough to make it a consensus outside York County... .

These distinguished gentlemen served as the board of directors of Delta's Peoples National Bank in 1930. The Depression was hard on banks in York County, too, as several rural banks failed. Charles Arthur Bloomfield gave this scorecard for bank failures in York County during the Depression: eight failures and nine reorganizations. Background posts: Events in 1777 helped tip Revolution toward patriots, Easter stories of sacrifice & selflessness and Bad economy turned York Safe and Lock toward lucrative defense work.

Tough economic times are taking some of the excitement away from today's Thanksgiving festivities.

Some of those facing the tough end of the economy might feel that there's no way out.

History helps show us that we've faced gloomy times before as a nation and have come out the other end generally for the better.

Consider the points made in this Thanksgiving Day editorial (11/26/08) in which I reflected on a moment when the world seemed to be piling on:

This is the cover art for blogger Scott Mingus' forthcoming "Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Gordon Expedition." Here, artist Bradley Schmehl captures the burning of the Wrightsville Bridge in late June 1863. Mingus is one of many productive members of the York County historical community. Background posts: Solomon Meyer 'forsook the publishing business and betook himself elsewhere', Best of yorktownsquare.com, 2007 and Resources for York/Adams history junkies increasingly posted on Web.

'Local history scene is a busy one' said the headline on my recent York Sunday News column providing a sample of good work going on in York County's historical community.

The column went beyond all the books and publications that people are putting out... .

Yet another book is out on York County in the Civil War. This is the second book in recent years specifically on the battle, that ended in more than 300 blue and gray casualties. Background posts: The Four Bloggers write, Signs point to York, 'Prize of the Confederacy,' and other York/Adams Civil War wonders and George Armstrong Custer - and his horse - left legacy in York County.

Scott Mingus reviews John T. Krepps' new book on the Battle of Hanover at his Cannonball blog.

"A Strong and Sudden Onslaught" is the latest in about a dozen books exploring York County and the Civil War published since the turn of the millenium.

Such York Town Square posts as The Four Bloggers speak attempt to explain this Civil War book surge.

Here's an updated list of recent publications that touch, in full or in part, on York County in the Civil War:

West York's Brandon Real looks for running room against Littlestown this season.The senior holds several YAIAA rushing records. Background posts: Who is rightful owner of the area's basketball scoring record?, York County Tech sports: 'If they took something like that away it really would destroy the school' and 'When people are looking back into Pa. basketball history ... it's great'.

Has West York's Brandon Real scored the best season ever for a YAIAA running back?

York Daily Record Sean McLernon has posed that question in a Line Up Card blog post.

Here's a quick look at Real's stats, according to McLernon and newspaper reports:

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Cyrus Griest, an agent in the Underground Railroad and his wife are buried with other abolitionist Quakers in the Menallen Friends Meetinghouse, Adams County. Quakers in Adams and York counties were known to aid fugitives traveling along the Underground Railroad. Background posts: York's Goodridge House listed as site on Underground Railroad network, Research needed to unearth Underground Railroad in York County, Part II and Amanda Berry Smith: 'God's image carved in ebony'.

Debra Sandoe McCauslin is doing much to put facts behind Underground Railroad legends.

Her most recent efforts have produced a book exploring Yellow Hill, a black community in Adams County that served as a destination point for fugitives who had crossed the Mason-Dixon Line in an attempt to gain their freedom... .

Re-enactor Byron Wildasin was among members of the 16th Pennsylvania, Co. G, to support renovations to Hanover's Lincoln monument. The markers tells about the president's stop in that southwestern York County town on his way to deliver the Gettysburg Address. Background posts: York newspaper about Gettysburg Address: 'Mr. Lincoln made a joke or two ...', Historical marker may soon point to Jefferson square's famous visitors and Abandoned Codorus railroad not just any abandoned railroad.

Abraham Lincoln's links to York County are many and too often overlooked.

His train, sans Lincoln, passed through here on his way to the White House after his election. (He had taken another train to D.C. because for security reasons.)

Four years later, his funeral train, with Lincoln, stopped in York on its nation-wide tour.

In between, he changed trains at Hanover Junction, south of York, on his way too and from Gettysburg to deliver his famous address.

And along his way to and from Gettysburg, he passed through York County's countryside, steaming through Jefferson, Smith Station before pausing in Hanover... .

Welsh miners from the southeastern York County village of Coulsontown worshipped at the nearby Slate Ridge Presbyterian Church. Clearly, some of the slate they mined found its way into the church's cemetery as headstones (the darker markers), rather than the primary use for the stone - roofing shingles. (See additional photos below.) Background posts: Delta-Peach Bottom slate shingles: 'Nothing works as good as this' , Southeastern York County made for Sunday drive and Site filled with wealth of York County geological info.

When settlers legally moved into York County after 1730, they often constructed their homes out of the most-readily available building product.

Mostly, that was wood, and many of the log homes still standing around the county have long been covered with protective siding. But of course, most 1700s and 1800s log structures are long gone or are disappearing even today.

This strange site greeted motorists and other observers recently in southeastern York County. Background posts: Black soldiers from York County served in 'Glory' unit , Pentagram, 666 markings desecrate church and Stewartstown's historic rail station: 'Hopefully, we get things going soon' .

New Park's Jim Marsteller, has provided another visual treat.

Using his trusty Nikon, he captured a old prop plan on a flatbed truck.

"Not real sure where this plane is going, but have a good idea," Marsteller wrote in an e-mail... .

U.S. Mint sculptor-engraver Don Everhart created this design for the new Lincoln dollar. Background posts: Engraver's work keeps his name in circulation, Is Civil War-era cash buried around Hanover? and Engraver's image: Going to market a longtime York County pastime

Last time Don Everhart made the news, the former York countian had designed a John Quincy Adams presidential coin.

This time, he helped make the new Abraham Lincoln dollar, as the following AP/York Daily Record/Sunday News story attests:

In 2007, a truck crashed into a wall behind where the York County Heritage Trust's Linda Neylon is standing, forcing the landmark to close for repairs. The repaired historical site opened a couple of weeks later. Background posts: York's housing stock not that revolutionary , Hillary Clinton's rally site in York a little odd and Proposed 'Creation of a Nation' museum name glib, but lacks grounding.

Shortly after a driver motored into the 200-plus-year-old wall of the Golden Plough Tavern in 2007, York County Heritage Trust workers gathered shattered logs and scraps of wood with an eye toward restoration.

The landmark's side was badly damaged, but the truck's driver missed not only the statue of Marquis de Lafayette on his way from the street but also significant artifacts inside the building.

Simply put, it was a clean break... .

Jim Marsteller took this photo of Centre Presbyterian Church in New Park. Fawn Township residents believe that the church is an accurate gauge of life in the town. 'Things are going on all the time, every night of the week,' he was quoted in a caption for this photo appearing in the Weekly Record in 2007. 'Always something to do at church to spend time with others in our town and praise the Lord at the same time, together as a group, as a community.' Background posts: Stewartstown Railroad: 'Truly a unique entity in the state, and possibly, the nation' , Old Shrewsbury house disappearing hand-hewn log, square nail at a time and 'Yesteryears' southern York County sites - Part II.

Local architectural expert Scott Butcher knew for some time about the wonderful style of Centre Presbyterian Church, within a literal stone throw from the Maryland Line in New Park.

So he made the long trip from York to see the Dempwolf-designed, 1880s-era rural church building and received a treat... .

The woman in this photo, courtesy York County Heritage Trust, is believed to be Isabel Cassat Small. She was the wife of businessman Samuel Small and a philanthropist in her own right. Background posts: Reader doesn't understand some things about York County, Old P.A. and S. Small building fit better than successors and Freedman kisses earth as canalboat crossed Mason-Dixon Line.

Samuel Small, 19th-century York businessman, is at the top of the community contributor's philanthropy list.

I pointed this out in a York Sunday News column (11/17/08), as I've done on elsewhere on this blog.

But Isabel Small, Samuel's wife, was an overlooked and integral part of the Small philanthropy machine, as outlined in the following gleaned from my "East of Gettysburg" and George Prowell's "History of York County:"

Vilma Garcia- Jones, working with U.S. Census in 2000, tosses goodies to school children outside the York Post Office as part of activities to raise public awareness about the census. Background posts: Delma Rivera, 'Legacies,' Part II, York Spanish Council organized 33 years ago and A short test of your York black history knowledge - Part II.

The e-mailer was blunt.

On your list of firsts, why have you skipped over the name of Vilma Garcia-Jones, the first Latina to serve and be elected to the York City School Board?

First off, Vilma Garcia-Jones, who died in February 2002, was the major proponent in York County for the Latino community in the 1990s.

That was a time of great growth in the Spanish-speaking population in York, particularly those coming from Puerto Rico. And as the forceful exec at the Spanish American Center, Vilma Garcia-Jones was in the right position to serve as community spokeswoman for that community... .

Butch Reigart of Columbia, Lancaster County, portrays der Belsnickel. The character was prototype of Santa Claus, abeit with a paradoxical well-intentioned mean streak. Background posts: York County group preserving Pennsylvania Dutch language, heritage, PS Harrisburg grad school: 'Set my feet even more firmly on the path into the world of Fraktur' and Hex book: How powwow doctors plied their craft.

"It was always fund on Christmas to have a visit of the 'Belsnickels.' They burst into the scene all dressed up and scattered popcorn and candy on the floor for us kids to get. If any of the older folks tried to pick it up, the Belsnickels would hit them over the back with a whip... ."

That quote from a York countians found in Georg Sheets' "Facts and Folklore of York County, Pennsylvania," pretty well sums up the carrot-and-stick approach of der Belsnickel, a forerunner to a much kinder and gentler Santa Claus... .

Anglican William White (1748-1836), rector of Christ Church in Philadelphia, and Presbyterian George Duffield served as chaplains to Congress during that body's stay in York Town. Here, William White is seen in a panel painted in connection with the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1927. He stayed with a Lutheran pastor named Kurtz in York. Background posts: Research topic: 18th-century helicopter could have aided pastor, Declaration signer's marker mounted in obscurity and York church gained new cupola by 'stealth' .

Anne Eckert Johnson was born in Gettysburg but lives in Richmond, Va.

She is seeking information on the Kurtz family that goes back generations in York County.

Here's a recent request: ...

This panel of Mad Anthony Wayne celebrates his visit to York County during the Continental Congress' visit in 1777-78. This colorful portrait, owned by the York County Heritage Trust, was posted outside (see below) during the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1927. A program to celebrate the anniversary of the Articles is set for 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Colonial Courthouse replica, 157 W. Market St. Details: 848-1587. Background posts: Don't know much about York County history? Part I, 'The Commons' plays host to wonderful vintage photos and When did York's square change from Centre to Continental?

Sixteen colorful paintings, measuring about 3.5 feet by 6 feet, decorated downtown York during the 150th anniversary of the Articles of Confederation in 1927.

They were very much forerunners of the 18 Murals of York that today sprawl across the sides of buildings around York... .

This gazebo on Reservoir Hill overlooking York has been the scene of many events, including wedding parties and folks with jacknifes who deface this historic structure by carving in initials. Background posts:
This Smoketown now rests on York County lake floor, Mile-a-minute weed's York County origin questioned and Rainmaker's visit indicated much awry in York.

The gazebo atop York's Reservoir Hill is an obscure landmark that deserves to be discovered.

It just stands there day after day, a local reminder of the internationally acclaimed 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia... .

Wrightsville's Gene Crumling only had a cup of coffee in the major leagues, but fans from all over still remember the former catcher. Background posts: Before the York Revs came the Hanover Raiders, York County sports a miniature Cooperstown and Old York lefty remembered young Brooks Robinson .

Former major leaguer Gene Crumling has regained the limelight twice since September.

The 86-year-old normally lives in obscurity around York County.

He threw out the first pitch in the York Revolution's first playoff game in September - representing the county as the oldest living former major leaguer.

Then the Wrightsville High School grad made the York Daily Record/Sunday News' front page in a profile to preview Eastern York High School's greatest athletes, part of a 22-part newspaper series on York County's prep performers.

Crumling had 12 at-bats catching for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1945... .

York Safe and Lock's S. Forry Laucks, second from right, is shown in this clipping from 1906. He was part of the initial slate of officers of the York Manufacturers' Association. They are, from left, John C. Schmidt, president of Standard Chain Co. and Schmidt and Ault Paper Co.; Thomas Shipley, York Manufacturing Company; Laucks; and Francis Farquhar, A.B. Farquhar Co. Background posts: The old-time York County community bank: 'They know me by sight and voice', York, Pa. made big, heavy things - and was immensely proud of it and New Freedom station houses alien safe.

Some news accounts say that the current down economy is pushing up the sale of safes.

According to a York Daily Record story (11/9/08), safe business locally is steady but not explosive. The idea is that when the stock market is down, people want gold and other valuables in "safe" places.

Steady business was not the case in the Great Depression, at least not for York Safe and Lock... .

Dan Meckley's recently compiled memoir is available for viewing at the York County Heritage Trust's archives, 250 E. Market St., York. Background posts: TV show box set 'Terry & the Pirates' to be part of a museum exhibit someday?, Rambo run: One small stream ... so much stress and York Safe & Lock worker recalls chat with Hedy Lamarr.

"I have found trout fly fishermen to be of sterling quality," Dan Meckley wrote in his memoir. "As a group they can be ranked with skiers, squash players, sailors, martini drinkers, and Republicans."

As for worm fishermen?

"On the other hand, worm fishermen can be ranked with snowmobilers, snowboarders, racquetball players, power boaters, beer drinkers and Democrats," he wrote... .

The former Gettysburg Cyclorama building won't face the bulldozer's blade in December after all. Here, visitors experience the Cyclorama in its final days at its longtime post. Background posts: Gettysburg Cyclorama critics: Reviews ranged from 'huge dinosaur' to 'I was captivated', Poster highlights the life of a Civil War soldier and Old Gettysburg visitors center closes today; new site opens Monday.

National Park Service officials will wait to demolish the old Gettysburg Cyclorama building until a court rules on its fate.

A preservation group, Recent Past Preservation Network, has taken the government to court over plans to knock down the familiar round building that housed the Cyclorama from 1961 until recent years. The circular painting, moved to the new Gettysburg visitors center, was opened to the public in September.

According to news reports, the preservation group thinks the park service should explore alternatives before demolition. The park service maintains it sought all such options in 1999 in preparing a plan for the park.

One wonders what the hurry is to demoliish the building... .

East Prospect's Tracy Winter shows off an antique toy truck at a meeting of the Pennsylvania Dutch Heritage Group. The group meets from 1 to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at Providence Place, 3377 Fox Run Road, Dover Township. For details, call 266-2910. Background posts: Pennsylvania Dutch-speaking York County residents often conversed with German POWs, Classes offer rare op to learn Pennsylvania Dutch and 'Persons should not be too modest'.

Q. What does the Pennsylvania Dutch phrase "Guder mariye" mean?

A. Good morning.

Q. And Wie bischt du heit?

A. How are you today?

Q. Ich bin zimmlich gut.

A. I am pretty good.

Q. Sitz dich anne un bleib e weil.

A. Set yourself (to there) and stay a while.

The Pennsylvania Dutch dialect and its related traditions are kept alive once at month in York County when the Pennsylvania Dutch Heritage Group meets in Dover... .

Scott Butcher has produced a coffee table book filled with photos about York. He will speak on York's architecture at the York County Heritage Trust's Second Saturday program, set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Agricultural and Industrial Museum. His $29.99 book is available via the York County Heritage Trust. Background posts: On Second Saturdays: 'It's really cool that the Heritage Trust started this program', Windows into York blog offers Springettsbury's Schultz House datestone update and Author: 'York's streetscape features almost every style and era of American architecture'.

York County author and fellow blogger Scott Butcher has produced a hard-cover photo book that stands out among such works in two ways.

First, drawing on his wide knowledge of local architecture, he gives detailed descriptions in his "York, America's Historic Crossroads" about the 300 color photos in this recently released book.

For example, he starts in with a description of the house of the owner of King's Mill:

This building at East Main Street and Railroad Avenue in New Freedom will soon house a museum detailing this southern York County borough's past. Among other things, the borough, founded in 1873, can boast of resting at the highest point on the old Northern Central Railroad between Baltimore and York. Background posts: Spring Grove museum displays horse gas mask and more, Birthday borough Dillsburg: 'Seems to be York County's wild child' and The American hobo comes to York Springs.

At the current rate, every borough in York County will have a museum or an active historical group some day.

That's a good thing.

Earlier this year, Dallastown opened its museum joining Wrightsville, Red Lion, Glen Rock and many other towns that publicly display their history.

Now New Freedom, right over the Mason-Dixon Line from Maryland, is opening a place to show off its historical artifacts... .

Thomas Chatman Jr. was a pioneering member of the York community, serving as York's police chief in the 1970s, the first black man to do so. He is pictured here in 2006, with his patrolman's photo in the background. Background posts: Mattie Chapman, first black elected county official profiled, Pioneering women in state politics and 10 years ago, York's exclusive Lafayette Club became less exclusive.

On the morning after Barack Obama gained the presidency, some might wonder how minorities and women have fared in gaining public office in York County.

The York Town Square post, First York City Latino councilman temporarily state's top appointed Dem, provides a list of minority and women achievers.

Thomas Chatman Jr. is among those atop the list.

He was the York police department's first black detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and chief. He and Amos Palmer also were the first black city police officers to ride in squad cars... .

Bill Goodling greets Sen. Joe Lieberman, left, during John McCain's stop in August in York. Background posts: York-based historian shakes hands with 8 U.S. presidents, Chief execs visits to York and Columbia's clock museum set presidential timepiece exhibit opening.

Of the five presidents who served during Bill Goodling's years in Congress, Gerald Ford is remarkably memorable.

'Jerry Ford may have been the most important (president) simply from the standpoint of being the kind of person that could bring the country together again after the Watergate experience,' Goodling said, at the time of the 19th District congressman's retirement from office in 2000.

'A lot of presidents talked about vetoing a lot in order to balance the budget,' Goodling said. '(Ford's) the only one that I can remember that actually did it. He probably vetoed more in his short time there than all of the other ones combined.'

George A. Goodling (right) congratulates his son, Bill Goodling, York County's new congressman in 1974. Bill Goodling served in Congress for 26 years before retiring. Todd Platts took his place to continue the Republican lineage from York County in the U.S. House. Background posts: LBJ: In small towns, girls are fonder; dinner pails fuller, Is York County part of Alabama? and Strange pairings could help raise funds in York.

In the General Election in 1974, a changing of the guard, of sorts, took place.

Son replaced father in the U.S. House... .

A two-story-high scoreboard posted on The Gazette and Daily's East King Street building kept sports fans and news junkies up to date on sports and news happenings in the days before radio and TV. One story suggests the scoreboard was recycled as scrap during World War II.

In this day in which CNN can instantaneously project Barack Obama's presidential victory to the world, it's easy to forget another day in which results dribbled in.

The York Town Square post Giving news, sports junkies their fix outlines how 100 years ago, a light atop a York building told of a presidential victory. That was the best form of mass communication... .

When voters knocked Republican Congressman Chester Gross from office in 1948, Gazette and Daily's Walt Partymiller translated the vote into a cartoon. Background posts: York College prof to speak about York's 'Voices from the Past', J.W. Gitt: 'Just say it ... straight out' and Publishing legend Gitt vocal about nuclear power.

When longtime Gazette and Daily cartoonist Walt Partymiller died a few years ago, eulogists paid proper restrict for the man who everyone in town seemed to know.

One person paying tribute said that Partymiller never said a bad word about anybody.

Now, that's a tough reputation to bestow on anyone, much less a newspaperman who was full of opinions... .

The left-of-center Gazette and Daily was no fan of GOP Congressman Chester Gross, who was voted out of office in 1948. In fact, Gross had defeated the newspaper's owner, Democrat J.W. Gitt, for the congressional seat four years earlier. So, for Gitt, Gross's loss would have meant rough justice. Background posts: In York County and beyond, presidential races have produced rages through the ages, York cartoonist's work helps celebrate peace activism and Newspaper's founding date hard to pin down.

On Election Day, 2008, a large voter registration lead would make Republican incumbent Todd Platts the favorite over Dem Phil Avillo for the 19th district seat in the U.S. House. Indeed, early results show Platts is leading .

Sixty years ago, the race went the other way.

Sarah Palin was the last candidate to set foot on a York County stage in the election 2008 season. Here, she speaks to a crowd on Oct. 31 at the York Expo Center. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge is seen at right. (See photo of Barack Obama's visit to York below.) Background posts: Hillary Clinton apparently closer to middle than Obama in minds of York County Dems, York-area woodcarver made life-size JFK statue. But where is it now? and Bobby Kennedy spoke to Foremen's Club in York about labor racketeering.

The canon is sealed on candidate visits to York for Election 2008.

Chelsea Clinton was the first dignitary to stump way back in April when her mother was still a candidate.

Veep candidate Sarah Palin was the last, appearing Friday, Oct. 31. Joe Biden was the only candidate among the four presidential and vice presidential entries not to show.

Here's the complete list of visits by candidates or their families:

You've heard it.

Maybe you've even said it.

This is the most emotional U.S. presidential election ever. Or political nastiness surrounding this Obama-McCain race has never reached such lows. Or the media has never been more one-sided.

Well, I tried to bash these myths in a York Sunday News column (11/02/08). American politics have always been rough and tumble... .

Mary Breighner discusses a body found in a Peach Bottom quarry in 2004 with her boss, Coroner Barry Bloss. In 2008, Breighner said she retiring. Background posts: York's Wonder Women: The stories of four more movers and shakers, Witman murder among York County's most notorious crimes and Hex murder house visit offers surprises.

York County's Chief Deputy Coroner Mary Breighner talked about her pending retirement recently.

In so doing, she brought up a case that many have forgotten. But the longtime assistant coroner - she assisted Kathryn Olewiler before current coroner Barry Bloss - obviously remembers it well... .

York County School of Technology is not used to full houses at its home varsity football games. Here, a faithful few observe Vo-Tech's team as it faces off against Delone Catholic in October 2008. The program gained the spotlight for a moment in the early 1990s when two girls played football. (See below.) Background posts: Presidents visit York, alive and via funeral trains, Unusual valve gave steam whistle prominence in World War II and Northeastern last York/Adams public school to field football team.

Should perennial loser York County Technical School, known for years at York County Vocational Technical School, continue to field sports teams?

York Daily Record/Sunday News sports writer Frank Bodani probed that question as part of his 22-part Greatest Athletes series.

Tech athletic director Rob Caruso seemed to settle the question: ...

Adamsville United Methodist Church's Jon Butcher promotes the church's annual apple festival in this 2007 file photo. The church serves as the center of the York Township village of Adamsville. Background: Red Lion's towering Fairmont Park off the beaten track, York County cigars: 'They contained a vast amount of nicotine' and LBJ's, Lady Bird's visit a high point in Dallastown's history.

The village of Adamsville also has been called Pinch Gut and Arbor.

Its location, like its name, is also hard to pinpoint. Maybe it's near Red Lion. Maybe Dallastown. It's actually in York Township, somewhere between Route 24 and Route 214.

One hundred years ago - perhaps because it was near a lot of places - it was bustling with cigar factories and a dairy and a ballfield... .