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 2009
Those in uniform with York County links who die in line of duty should be remembered
Event-goers examine hand grenades mounted in a 1941 Willys Overland General Purpose Vehicle. The Jeep was among the military and police vehicles on display outside the York Police Museum on the first block of West Market Street in 2004. Police … Continue reading
Conewago crossing near Manchester a hot spot, literally, for years – Part IIII
The Gazette and Daily reported a raid of a bawdy house in the Conewago Heights area between Manchester and York Haven in 1918. Preparing for the raid was the easy part. Bringing the proprietors into custody proved to be much … Continue reading
Wildflowers at Shenk’s Ferry glen sprouting despite centuries of encroaching civilization
Bowman’s Hill (New Hope, Pa.) Wildflower Preserve reps enjoy Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve in Lancaster County recently. Backgrounds posts: York County still home to unvarnished beauty, On York County parks, Susquehannocks and carved river rocks and With hot controversy cooled, … Continue reading
Orange Car on York’s Roosevelt Avenue: Workers sometimes shoveled fruit out of box cars
The Orange Car’s name, seller of fresh fruit, has been on the former Western Maryland railroad station, since 1938. Background posts: Collector searching for Western Maryland Railroad memorabilia and Jackson Township, Arm & Hammer’s proposed new home, again in the … Continue reading
Lessons from York County, world history: Pandemic flu preparations crucial
This mural at the Windsor Township Commerce Bank branch shows the scene as troops go off to the Great War – World War I – at the Red Lion Ma & Pa Railroad station in 1917. About 200 of the … Continue reading
Delta Welsh homecoming offers opportunity to learn about culture of slate miners
Glenn Grove of Delta is a member the Welsh choir Cor Rehoboth and a tour guide of Welsh burial markers made of slate. Here, he walks through the Slateville Presbyterian Church cemetery. ‘Er Cof’ is Welsh for ‘In Memory.’ Background … Continue reading
Cassandra Small’s, James Latimer’s Civil War letters from York will ‘never be forgotten’
Cassandra Small, daughter of leading York County merchant P.A. Small, left behind the most complete and revealing first-person account of the Confederate occupation of York. (See photo below of a Small played by a living historian.) Attorney James Latimer (see … Continue reading
York writer explores myths about Gettysburg native and big league southpaw Eddie Plank
Eddie Plank, a Gettysburg native, won more than 300 games in his Major League Baseball career, the first lefthander to do so. Plank ended his career with 327 victories. He entered the majors in 1901 and retired in 1917. He … Continue reading
Great War hero and pneumonia victim Jeannette Zinn of York: ‘She made the supreme sacrifice’
York native Jeannette Zinn died while serving with the YMCA in war-torn Europe in 1918. Background posts: From war bonds to pets and people and Spanish flu epidemic in York: ‘People died one right after the other’ and Easter in … Continue reading
Landmark Modernaire Motel built in Lincoln Highway’s heyday
The Modernaire Motel, built in 1949 to serve Lincoln Highway motorists before the Route 30 by-pass went in, sits at a prime spot on East Market Street at Mount Zion Road. Patrons used to enter the motel, according to Lincoln … Continue reading
