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
A historic York walking tour of the Sovereign Bank stadium area
These ornate iron pieces atop the York Elks porch are the type of fine metal work adorning the organization’s 233 N. George St. building. (See related image below.) Background posts: York County … ‘A smorgasbord of architectural styles’ and York … Continue reading
York County’s cigarmaking days: ‘I remember that people stripped tobacco in their pantries’
This video, part of the York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Remember” oral history series captures the cigarmaking industry – a major employer in small towns throughout York County. Background posts in ‘Remember’ series: In the shadow of disaster: York County and … Continue reading
Bias-related incidents, YorkCounts quality-of-life indicator: ‘A concern in York County’
State police horses separate a woman yelling at white supremacists during a January 2002 disturbance in York. Neo-Nazis and other racists traded insults with city residents, anarchists and anti-racist protesters in the aftermath of race riot trial verdicts. Police largely … Continue reading
Spanish flu epidemic in York: ‘People died one right after the other’
This clip from The (York, Pa.) Gazette and Daily observes what happened on the war front “over there” in World War I. It shows part of a roll call of the 195 or more York countians who died, including George … Continue reading
DJ to The Drifters and Charlie Thomas of York, Pa.: ‘You guys have a hit record’
Charlie Thomas, a York resident, and his group of 50 years, The Drifters, will perform at 8 p.m. today at Eichelberger Performing Arts Center in Hanover. For details: 637-7086 or www.theeich.org . Background posts: Cameron Mitchell, Craig Sheffer, Dixie Chick … Continue reading
Plaques offer historic insight into ‘The Swamp,’ before Sovereign Bank Stadium drained it
Students at the Second Arch Street Public School are ready to celebrate May Day in 1952. The old one-room school, then used as a church, was torn down to make way for the children’s play area of Sovereign Bank Stadium. … Continue reading
President William McKinley’s funeral train disappointed, captivated York citizens
This clip, from the York Gazette on Sept. 17, 1901, tells about how President William McKinley’s funeral train passed through York without stopping, which was the original plan. Background posts: McKinley, Nixon, Johnson, Obama family trees have York County roots … Continue reading
World War I bond drive: Spanish ‘Flu bug, no more than Hun, was not going to tarnish York’s perfect patriotic record’
The Fourth Liberty Loan drive during World War I was under way in York County and so was the Spanish flu, as this newspaper ad states. Background posts: Single shell killed two York countians in World War I and Well-known … Continue reading
Sports books focus on York High Bearcat boys and York Catholic Irish girls
The William Penn Senior High School boys …. … and York Catholic’s state title runs are detailed in forthcoming York Daily Record/Sunday News’ books. For details on these books or accompanying DVDs, visit www.inyork.com/booksales. Background posts: Will Autumn Lau gain … Continue reading
