More stuff below: Factory tourism/Hex Murder/Tobacco culture
When York Town Square readers write, it makes my day. And I’m alway eager to learn when a reader reports that a history mystery has been solved. Lisanne Renner, gracerenner@verizon.net, emailed recently that a church under construction shown in this 2010 post turned out to be St. Paul’s Church in New Oxford. Lisanne is working on another ID: ‘I have one other mystery building, what looks like a school, built around the same time, and I believe it too was in Adams or York counties.’ So, if you can help identify this building, please contact Lisanne or comment below. (See second photograph below.) Also of interest: Who can ID this mystery school in southeastern York County?
Neat stuff from all over … .
An emailer with the handle of Meowmix had a question about the the Hex Murder of the late 1920s:
“A friend of mine mentioned that you spoke a few years ago to a retired teachers’ group.
“She told me that you spoke about the Hex Murders/Trial and the you wrote a book about it; you also had copies of the book with you to autograph and to sell.
“She was sure the title was “Trials of hex” – I can find that title by J. Ross McGinnis. (Actually I am reading that one right now!) I thought she might be confused with McG and McC, but she assured me that you also wrote a book.
“I checked the York County Library System’s web catalog, but I am not finding any titles listed by you that sound like the hex murder.
“Can you help me out with a title?”
My response:
“… I have not written anything expressly on the Hex Murder cases. You have the gold standard, Ross’ book. Arthur Lewis’ Hex is the other book, though not as accurate or compelling:
“However, have written extensively about the Hex murders on my blog: There are extensive stories and photos on there – almost a book’s worth!”
I answer all emails, but to answer one with Meomix in the address is one I turned around quickly.
A recent tweet: “Recent book from @TempleUniv professor includes section on #YorkPA factory #tourism ow.ly/e4aoz @JamesMcClure @yorkhistory.” The link leads to this Book Buzz post: York County factory tourism featured in new book by Temple professor Carolyn Kitch
Forum of the day: Residents in York Housing Authority buildings can no longer smoke on those properties. Do you agree or with this policy or is it a case of government overstepping its powers? Please comment below. Background: Tobacco usage: Rooted in York County.
17th painting: Yorkblogger June Lloyd tells about the painting of Lafayette in, yes, the now-closed Lafayette Club: Lafayette Club painting part of group of 17 showing Revolutionary War heroes. Let’s hope it finds a permanent home where the public can view it.
Another view of Lisanne Renner’s mystery photograph.
Welcome to York Town Square, 8 years of daily posts about journalism and history, topics that can easily become plodding and self important. My goal is to keep this blog fun and accessible. And I try to say something in each post. I welcome your comments and respond to every one you write. Please contact me at 
Send the lady to the Stewartstown Historical Society’s program on the “Trials of Hex”, October 24 at 7:00 PM at the Stewartstown Presbyterian Church. She can meet Ross McGinnis, who will be the speaker.
Doug, thanks for the pitch. I’m going to do a post on that soon./Jim