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: January 2009
Old Ganoga Bridge: ‘It is a highly unusual sight in York County’
This is one of two plaques that appeared at the two ends of Ganoga Bridge over the Conewago Creek near Strinestown in northern York County. Today, the plaques are safe at Boy Scout Camp Tuckahoe. But the bridge (see photo … Continue reading
Harley newsy in York: 3 strikes, 3 presidential visits, 300 jobs down
People leave Harley-Davidson’s Springettsbury Township, Pa.’s, plant on the day that workers learned that 300 would be cut from the work force. (See additional photos below.) Background posts: Presidential visit No. 3: Bush makes like Bono, AMF-Harley in York, by … Continue reading
Joe Paterno in York County: ‘I love presidents who don’t flinch’
Joe Paterno and President George H.W. Bush stumped at a Northern York County fundraiser for U.S. Senator Arlen Specter in June 1992. This shows part of the York Daily Record’s coverage of the event. Background posts: Presidents visit York, alive … Continue reading
Back when Gino’s was the York-area place to go and Baltimore Colts was the team to root for
Pro Football Hall of Famer Raymond Berry signs items at a January 2009 reception in York. Author Steve McKee includes Berry as part of his memories of the Baltimore Colts in his Da Capo Press book, “My Father’s Heart.” Background … Continue reading
Vets at Gettysburg’s 75th: ‘Some wore their military caps and medals on their tunics’
Vandalism at the Peace Light Memorial, one of Gettysburg’s most honored landmarks. Background: Donations help to repair damaged Gettysburg statues and Headline: ‘Beards on Parade at Gettysburg (Battle) Field’ and York County historical war deaths top 1,000. In a letter … Continue reading
How about a window-shattering ceremony to end icon of York County racism?
This old photo captures the presence of hooded Klansmen in Shrewsbury, a regular sight in small towns across York County, Pa., in the first half of the 20th century. Background posts: Meeting of riot victims brought hope for racial accord … Continue reading
Camp Security: ‘The camp consisted of log huts and a large stockade’
This replacement sign now stands near the former site of Camp Security, an American Revolution prisoner of war camp, in Springettsbury Township. Background posts: POW Camp Security site: ‘There’s a lot of history waiting to be discovered’ and Signs point … Continue reading
Philip King house jewel of old York paper mill site
A rusting fence surrounds the empty Smurfit and Stone building on Kings Mill Road in 2005. York College of Pennsylvania is acquiring the site, so those weeds are set for extermination some day. Background posts: Author: ‘York’s streetscape features almost … Continue reading
Washington Township, Jefferson Borough, Madison Avenue. How about an Obama Street in York County?
This photograph showing Sen. Harry S. Truman during his 1944 visit to York County, Pa., came from longtime York Daily Record columnist Jim Hubley’s “Off the Record.” Truman was in York for a political speech. As for street-level memories of … Continue reading
Old King’s Mill-Smurfit Stone site giving way to information age
Several years ago, the Smurfit-Stone site was cleaned up in preparation for the minor league ballpark that later became Sovereign Bank Stadium on a cross-town York, Pa., site. Here, demolition work is taking palce along Grantley Road in Spring Garden … Continue reading
