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 photo came from the estate of John Denney of Columbia. Also of interest: 'Yesteryears' Stewartstown-area York County sites - Part I, 'Yesteryears' - Part II and German POWs: 'They worked cheaper than We did'.
The Stewartstown Historical Society is working on a new photo book, similar to the the 'Yesteryears' books it published a few years back.
The group is getting lots of photos but not many showing Stewartstown's side streets.
Early photographer Oram Bell took many shots of Main Street, but if he moved with his camera off the main drag, none of his work is known to exist.
Society member Doug Winemiller provided this information and photograph and went on to explain a rare photo of one side street, pictured above... .
"The date is 1910, before the current RR station and sewing factory (Fypon) were built - the structure behind the engine house was a mill. This mill was demolished several years ago, and Rutters is currently building a station on that site. This picture answered several questions about the intersection, and the location of the engine house (it proves that the engine house was moved to its present location). It also shows telephone lines, which may have belonged to the RR, and a house between two of the poles, center right, which we have yet to positively identify. This photograph also helped us to identify two other photographs in our collection."
This is just the type of photo the society is seeking out for inclusion in its book.
The book will also cover the Hopewell townships and Fawn Township, particularly one-room schools in those rural areas.
The historical society can be contacted by visiting its Web site.
Also of interest:
This picture is extremely interesting. I am glad that someone is trying to preserve history in Stewartstown. The town doesn't seem to care. I have learned that there are few structures that are historically unchanged--the movie theater, while still salvageable,is being allowed to deteriorate. Two buildings on the square, that I've been told, remain basically unchanged, are also deteriorating. This town has a fascinating history and we are letting it be destroyed.
I have just learned that the railroad, in the photograph, is the only railroad left in the United States, that survives with its original line and corporate structure intact--at least that is what I was told. I was also dismayed to learn that the Railroad may cease to exist because of an estate settlement problem. (I could not find out the details.)
The borough council doesn't seem to care, and apparently York County does not appreciate that the county has a unique historical railroad that could be a tourist asset, for the town, the county, and even the state, if it could be saved and restored. I have to admit, I did not realize the railroad had any historical significance. Were you aware of its unique status?
If I knew where to obtain funding, or had the financial ability, I would be willing to assist in bailing them out of their financial problems.
I realize that the economy is difficult, but if we do not endeavor to save our history, we are losing valuable assets. Kudos to the historical society for trying to make citizens aware of the history still surviving in the town.