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: October 2010
Would York County, Pa., back Abraham Lincoln’s presidency today?
This graphic showing the 1860 election results in York County, Pa., comes from G. A. Mellander and Carl E. Hatch “York County’s Presidential Elections.” It shows the local electorate supported candidate Abraham Lincoln’s opponents. (See results for 1864 election below.) … Continue reading
About York, Pa. 100 years ago: ‘Isn’t that the city that doesn’t have a public library?’
Former York countians living elsewhere and many current York County, Pa., residents who have not been into Martin Library since its most recent renovations might be delightfully surprised at its grand entrance, shown here in this York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday … Continue reading
Window in memorial to Beauchamp H. Smith: Beautiful First Moravian Church in York, Part 10
This stained glass window at York, Pa.’s, First Moravian Church is one of 31 designed by noted York County artist J. Horace Rudy. This is another in a series on those windows. Also of interest: All Rudy stained-glass window posts … Continue reading
York County, Pa., reader does detective work on The Gazette and Daily’s Boys and Girls newspaper
York, Pa.-area resident Paul Neiman received this birthday card on his 9th birthday, in December 1939. Also of interest: York County newspaper gets new wardrobe, some nips and tucks and 1874 York Daily: Is it worth anything? and Newspaper’s founding … Continue reading
York, Pa., without the Yorktowne Hotel? Unimaginable.
The Yorktowne Hotel has anchored East Market Street since 1925. But a sheriff’s sale looms casting concern about its future. Also of interest: World War II-era air raid siren discovered atop Yorktowne Hotel and What did Tiny Tim and Richard … Continue reading
Retailers in York, Pa., in late 1960s hedged bets on downtown by opening suburban stores
Gregory’s menswear occupied this North George Street for decades after moving there in 1939. Its former building is being renovated into apartments – the Codo 28 project – and its former storefront is being marketed as a coffee shop. Also … Continue reading
Do you remember when York County milkmen made home deliveries?
Jay Crist of York County, Pa.-based Rutter’s dairy, demonstrates how milk deliveries were made in a standing position. York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News photographer Paul Kuehnel, who photographed this demonstration on a restored 1925 truck in 2006, explained that a … Continue reading
Part II: Historic Brookside Park carousel building v. powderpost beetles: The bugs are winning
‘A Century of Reflections,’ tells about the first 100 years of Dover Township, Pa.’s, Brookside Park. The park has been in the news recently because its marquee building, a carousel house, has been found with powderpost beetle infestation. The book … Continue reading
Can you locate this York County town? Linked in with neat York County, Pa., history stuff: Oct. 23, 2010
Here’s a hint about the location of this village. That’s the Codorus Creek running along the valley at left. For the answer, see below. This view come from fascinating York County’s Assessment Data & Mapping page. This useful website offers … Continue reading
York, Pa.’s downtown: ‘This once bustling hub is becoming bustling once again’
This shipping crate would have been delivered to York, Pa.’s, Diehl Candy Company by real horsepower. York countian Jean Fix brought this “Romance Chocolates” crate to businessman William Swartz’s attention recently after reading news reports of renovations to the 28 … Continue reading
