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: August 2009
Mining a rich vein of southwestern York County’s religious history – Part I
The United Brethren Church built two-story cabins when it opened the Heidelberg Township (Pa.) campground in 1896 for churchgoers to stay overnight or weekly. Penn Grove Campground later operated as Camp Pamadeva and is known today at Penn Grove Retreat. … Continue reading
E-mailer’s query: When did miniature golf come to York, Pa.?
A teen tries to guide her putt past the horse statue at Putter’s Paradise in Manchester (Pa.) Township. An e-mailer to York Town Square wondered when miniature golf arrived in York County. (See additional York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News file … Continue reading
The late Ernest Lefever, native York countian, came under national spotlight’s glare in D.C.
The New York Times obituary about York native Ernest W. Lefever gave insight concerning a controversy involving Lefever during the Reagan administration. Other posts of interest: York County high school grads teach lessons in achievement on national stage and York … Continue reading
York County artists, actors and athletes to star in exhibit
In this York Sunday News photo from 1958, York (Pa.) Little Theatre’s Jean Farlow makes noted screen actor Cameron Mitchell appear 40 years older for his part as the William Jennings Bryan character in “Inherit the Wind.” A photo of … Continue reading
Illegal cockfighting common in 19th-century York and Adams counties
The last line in this multi-deck newspaper headline tells of the days of cockfighting in the York and Adams counties area. Michael Vick’s activities indicate that the sport of animal fighting hasn’t gone away. Other posts of interest: Famous York … Continue reading
Reader looking for info on Manchester’s long-closed Rentzel’s Farm Implements
Jann Rentzel Lehman is looking for information – particularly pictures – about her great-grandfather’s York County, Pa., business. Here’s her query: I was wondering if you could locate any information on my great grandfather, Jacob Rentzel’s Farm Implements and Phosphate … Continue reading
7-decade-old Harley plant in York has produced much more than motorcycles
AMF York produced the Ski-Daddler, a power sled, which the company indicated was popular at that time. “Ski-Daddler is used for racing, exploring, carries skis and is a great asset to all ’round winter sports fun,” the York (Pa.) Chamber … Continue reading
The York/Adams day that birthed memories of falling stars and silkworms
This story, from an unspecified paper as found in Jere Carl’s scrapbook at the York County (Pa.) Heritage Trust, spins together a strange tale about the night when the sky over York and Adams counties seemed to be falling. Background … Continue reading
Is the 10th anniversary of York County’s 250th anniversary significant?
The Murals of York program was well under way at the time of the 250th anniversary of York County (Pa.) in 1999. So the Murals of York committee commissioned its painting as a summary of the main events that made … Continue reading
York Airport memories spawn even more recollections about old York-area airfields
An York County (Pa.) Agricultural and Industrial Museum exhibit features a model of York’s first airport in Fayfield, along Haines Road. Museum-goers can see the exhibit and other information about early aviation in the county at this York County Heritage … Continue reading
