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: November 2009
Linked in with neat York County, Pa., history stuff – Nov. 21, 2009
Before today’s west-end Hannah Penn Middle School was built, this school, also Hannah Penn, stood across from Penn Park. And before this York, Pa., school became a junior high, it was York High, replaced by today’s William Penn High School … Continue reading
York countians skilled in growing hogs – both those with hooves and with tires
Harley-Davidson workers examine a tentative agreement between the company and the union at the York (Pa.) Expo Center. (See colorful Harley mural below.) Also of interest: York workers traditionally have made big, heavy things and York County chainsaw artist about … Continue reading
Who was Phineas Davis of York City school fame?
Phineas Davis’ coal-burning locomotive “The York,” in the foreground of the West Market Street mural, points to the transition in the 1800s from York County, Pa., agrarianism to industrialization. (The photo used by the artist of this mural is posted … Continue reading
Public getting views of Cookes House, the 1761 stone house in York, Pa.
The Cookes house, one of York County’s oldest structures, is shown in a photograph from about 1890 to 1900. New owner Michael Helfrich is laboring to learn more about the history of the historic house, on the bank of the … Continue reading
Linked in with neat York County, Pa., history stuff – Nov. 18, 2009
Allen J. Smith, seen here inside his restoration, shows the caboose he worked on for years so that, ‘It’s better than new.’ The rail car wil be moved from New Freedom to Wellsboro and Corning Railroad in Tioga County. (See … Continue reading
Harve Johnson becomes the ninth man to sit on death row from York County
In 1995, Mark Spotz spits during his arrest after a killing spree, which started after an argument over a gerbil. Spotz was convicted in April 1996, of the Feb. 2, 1995, carjacking and shooting death of 41-year-old Penny L. Gunnet … Continue reading
With Main Street in Stewartstown covered, historical group compiling photos of side streets
The Stewartstown Historical Society is looking for photos of side streets in the southeastern York County, Pa., borough. This is a rare shot of such street, showing the intersection of present-day Route 851 and West Pennsylvania Avenue in Stewartstown. This … Continue reading
Even milkweed pods have place in York County – World War II – history
Milkweed pods are opening about now around York County, Pa. They’re largely ignored nowadays, but in World War II they were coveted. Also of interest: All World War II posts from the start and World War II torpedo, bomb loader, … Continue reading
York County’s Wildcat Falls former peaceful Susquehanna River picnic venue
The Wildcat Falls Hotel is marked as such in this undated photo. The falls (see photo below) was a popular picnic destination. Its water rushed down a York County, Pa., hillside across the Susquehanna River from Marietta in Lancaster County. … Continue reading
Linked in with neat York County, Pa., history stuff – Nov. 13, 2009
This nameplate is affixed to a York, Pa.-made World War II vintage bomb/torpedo loader acquired by the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. To see a photo of this American Chain and Cable-made truck, visit: Torpedo loader turns up in Tennessee museum. … Continue reading
