York Town Square

- Linked in - Oct. 22, 2009.

- Linked in - Oct. 27, 2009.

- Linked in - Nov. 3, 2009.

York, Pa.'s Weaver Organ and Piano Co.: 'Guaranteed to give permanent satisfaction'

2009-11-06T14:32:48Z

This image was used to promote Weaver Organ and Piano products made in York, Pa. This card appears to be 1920s vintage. (See sales pitch set to verse on the card's back below.) Also of interest: Junior Curators exhibit: The name of Lefty York of York, Pa., lives on and The organ: 'It is a whole orchestra in itself' and All Made in York posts from the start.

Dan Meckley III's father was an exec at Weaver Organ & Piano Co. for years before its closing in the 1950s.

So history-minded Dan III has made sure the York community has a musical legacy of that venerable's company's products at the York County Heritage Trust's Historical Society and Agricultural and Industrial museums.

Recently, Dan put forth advertising cards - actually, miniature handbills - touting the company's organ and pianos, made at its four-story factory on North Broad Street.

Some of the cards are targeted to families, who kids would make prospective users. Others were targeted to upscale market. Those in his collection addressed women suggesting that they were decision-makers on the purchase of pianos and organs... .

]]>
The back of the handbill (above) used to promote Weaver Organ and Piano.

One card implies a lifetime guarantee: "Endorsed by the World's Leading Musicians, Highest standard of excellence. Guaranteed to give permanent satisfaction."

Here are some interesting notes from Dan, George Sheets' "Made in York" and my "In the Thick of the Fight," about pianos and organs and Weaver:

- The company was found in 1870, and Weaver peaked in 1929 with production of 45 pianos a day, made by a work force of 200 people. Products included player, grand and upright pianos.
- Player pianos were a primary form of home entertainment before radios displaced them.

- Facing the growth of radio makers and a Depression-era economy, Weaver retooled its unsold inventory of player pianos for resell as regular pianos.

- Ivory for use as keys was shipped to York in thin strips, where they were cut to length. Salepeople left behind the tips of elephant tusks, as calling cards.

- World War II actually caused a sales increase because the military ordered pianos, painted olive drab, for use as USO's and military installations around the world.

- When the company closed in 1959, only 18 American piano makers were still in business. At one time, about 280 companies made pianos.

- The Weaver building stands today on North Broad Street. Will it be developed into condos or housing, as has been the case of so many other big brick factories around York?

Marley Gross's first car sold in Spring Grove: 'I traded it back from the original owner'

2009-11-05T12:34:05Z

Spring Grove, Pa.'s, Ford dealership - then owned by Pierce Stambaugh - was a mainstay in its downtown in this 1934 photograph. Marley Gross Ford, which occupied that site for decades, just recently closed its doors. Also of interest: Spring Grove museum displays horse gas mask and more and A leading York County name: 'Keeping it in family is the Glatfelter way' and Is this a York County farm truck or is it just a wagon with a motor?.

There goes another small-town or old-time automobile dealership.

This time, it's Marley Gross Ford in Spring Grove.

The passing of these dealerships is corresponding with the growth of businesses that handle numerous brands in several towns or even across state lines. Apple Automotive Group is an example of that.

This change is not necessarily bad. It's just different... .

]]>
A 1940s-era cash register served Marley Gross until it closed its doors recent. York Daily Record/Sunday News photos.

Marley Gross is, in part, a victim of the dimming American automotive scene. A York Daily Record/Sunday News story (11/2/09)reported that the dealership was facing limitations in shipments from Ford, which was closing plants. It could either sell the dealership or carry a thin inventory.

According to "The Spring Grove Years, 1882-1982:

At one time, Spring Grove played host to George Elicker's Chevrolet, Scripps-Booth and Nash dealership. Ralph L. Kemper's Spring Grove garage sold Buick, Dodge, and Peerless automobiles. Those garages opened at a time of immense growth in the American auto industry - in the years immediately before World War I.

P. Stambaugh and Son, a forerunner of Marley Gross, was the earliest, setting up service in 1910. Actually, it was located between Dover and East Berlin before building a Spring Grove garage and dealership in 1921 - Marley Gross's current building at the corner of Jackson and Market streets.

A noteworthy part of Stambaugh's business in those years was that it also sold Allis Chalmers and New Holland agricultural implements.

The dealership passed on to Carl Beasley in 1945, then to Peter Peterson and later Snyder and Gross in 1972.

The Daily Record/Sunday News story reports that the first car Gross sold as an owner, a 1972 Ford Galaxie Country Sedan, now sits in the basement of the dealership awaiting restoration.

"Some years later," he said, "I traded it back from the original owner."

That's how those small-town dealerships did business for so long - selling cars to generations of faithful, family members.

Check out these updated lists of pioneering York County minorities, women

2009-11-04T12:30:41Z

With a landslide win Tuesday night, Kim Bracey became York, Pa.'s first black mayor and third woman to hold that office since 1887. Also of interest: Mattie Chapman, first black elected county official profiled, Pioneering women in state politics and 10 years ago, York's exclusive Lafayette Club became less exclusive.

The election of Kim Bracey as the first black person to hold the mayoral seat in York City and Chuck Patterson as the first black person to sit on the bench in York County calls for an updating of the list of political and community firsts.

Patterson also became the second person of color - and the first male - to win countywide office. Mattie Chapman gained election to the post of prothonotary in 1975.

Here are updated lists of pioneers, plus an updated list of York mayors since 1887, when York became a city:

]]>
Friends and campaign workers greet Chuck Patterson, York County's first black judge, Tuesday night. For a photo gallery from election night, visit: http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_13596485.

York City School District
First Latino school board president: Jeanette Torres
First Latino school board member: Vilma Garcia-Jones
First Latino school superintendent: Carlos Lopez

First black school board member: W. Russell Chapman.
First black female school board member: Doris Sweeney
First black school board president: Douglas Smallwood
First black school superintendent: Frederick D. Holliday
First black female superintendent: Tresa Diggs
First black homecoming queen, William Penn High School: Linda Woodward

York City
First appointed female mayor of York: Jessie M. Gross
First female candidate for York mayor (1973 Dem primary): Genevieve Ray
First elected female mayor of York: Elizabeth Marshall
First elected black mayor of York: Kim Bracey.
First black chief of police: Thomas Chatman
First black male member of city council: Roy Borom
First black female member of city council: Carol Hill-Evans
First black candidate for mayor: Ray Crenshaw
First black female candidate for mayor: C. Kim Bracey
First black city controller: Charles B. Walker
First Latino York City Council member: Abe Amoros

York County
First black elected York County county official/row officer: Mattie Chapman, prothonotary
First black elected male county official: Chuck Patterson.
First female county commissioner: Lorraine Hovis
First female York County Common Pleas Court judge: Sheryl Dorney
First black York County Common Pleas Court judge candidate (2005): Chuck Patterson
First black York County Common Pleas Court judge: Chuck Patterson.

Legislature
First female state representative: Jane Alexander, 1964

Other community positions
First black member, York College board: Bobby Simpson
First black member, York County Chamber of Commerce Board: Bobby Simpson
First black chairman, York County Chamber of Commerce: Vernon Bracey
First black member, Lafayette Club: Vernon Bracey
First black member, Country Club of York: George Ruffin
First black nurse, Memorial Hospital: Mary E. White
First black York Hospital board member: Joseph Douglas
First black Wellspan board member: Daniel Elby
First female member, York County Bar: Mary Jane Yohe (1949)
+++

Mayors of York:

Daniel K. Noell, 1887-1893.

George W.S. Loucks, 1893-1896.

Charles W. Brandt, 1896-1899.

Frank Geise, 1899-1900.

Robert Gibson, 1900-1902.

Milton Gibson, 1902-1905.

J. St. Clair McCall, 1905-1908.

Jacob E. Weaver, 1908-1911.

John R. Lafean, 1911-1916.

E.S. Hugentugler, 1916-1928.

Jacob E. Weaver, 1928-1932.

Harry B. Anstine, 1932-1942.

Harvey Werner, 1942-1944.

John L. Snyder, 1944-1948.

Felix Bentzel, 1948-1952.

Howard Eyster, 1952-1956.

Fred A. Schiding, 1956-1962.

John L. Snyder, 1962-1969.

Jesse M. Gross, 1969-1970.

Eli Eichelberger, 1970-1974.

John D. Krout, 1974-1978.

Elizabeth M. Marshall, 1978-1982.

William J. Althaus, 1982-1994.

Charlie Robertson, 1994-2002.

John Brenner, 2002 - present

Kim Bracey, 2010 -

(Sources for information about Mattie Chapman and the "firsts" above: James McClure's "Never to be Forgotten," "Almost Forgotten," various newspaper accounts. Also, Georg Sheets' "Lawyers and Leaders.")

Linked in with neat York County, Pa., history stuff - Nov. 3, 2009

2009-11-03T11:39:00Z

Amy Staub submitted this photograph for publication in the new book Capture York. It shows her grandfather, Franklin Armold, and his wife, Lillian while out for a motorcycle ride in the 1920s. Also of interest: All presidential visits from the start and Washington Township, Jefferson Borough, Madison Avenue. How about an Obama Street in York County? and Yo, Yoe never was Yohe.

Years ago, Sam Snyder, Yoe borough council president, garnered a box of letters at a York County auction.

The writer?

Chester Alan Arthur.

That turned out to be Chester A. Arthur, future president of the United States... .

]]>
Amy Staub's grandfather rode with this group in the 1920s, in this photograph, also from Capture York.

The York Daily Record/York Sunday News (11/3/09) reported on the finding, telling what it means to a New York museum. (If President Arthur visited York County, it has not yet been documented.) Read Auction find has presidential power.

- York Town Square readers know this blog tracks those with local roots who make their mark nationally. The idea is that journalism tells about their accomplishments today, and history may remember them in the future. To find those who have achieved in filmmaking, visit http://www.imdb.com/BornWhere?York,%20Pennsylvania,%20USA. Just change the name of the town to Hanover etc. to sharpen the search.

- Mayor John Fetterman is trying to reinvent Braddock, Pa. He's also from York County. Atlantic magazine has recognized him as one of its Brave Thinkers.

- Fellow blogger and York Sunday News columnist June Lloyd always does a thorough piece on anything she writes about. Check out her short history of local canneries at York County Canneries Go Back a Long Way .

- Forum pick: To share and receive info about former Yorker and unsung World Series slugger Vic Wertz, visit: The Exchange.

- Linked in with neat York County history stuff - Oct. 10, 2009.

Linked in - Oct. 22, 2009.

- Linked in - Oct. 27, 2009.

- Linked in - Nov. 3, 2009.

Torpedo, bomb loader, made in York, Pa., turns up in Tennessee museum

2009-11-02T13:23:21Z

This artist's rendering shows the original ACCO Chain plant in York, Pa., built in 1916 and 1917. Peerless Chain Co. in Minnesota purchased ACCO, then in York Township, in 2006. The building now housing York's Cable House apartments was part of the East Princess Street manufacturing complex. Also of interest: Jeep prototype has York County WWII roots and York-made vehicle welcome to retirement home in York, Pa. and All Made in York posts from the start.

York County - and the stuff made here - just shows up everywhere. For example, in Sevierville, Tenn., in the foothills of the Smokies.

The Tennessee Museum of Aviation has acquired a World War II bomb and torpedo truck, a small bomb loading machine, that was made in York, Pa. (See photo below.)

The truck was dated 1943 and manufactured by Manley Manufacturing, a division of American Chain and Cable, widely known as ACCO.

The following is taken off the vehicle's data plate:

]]>

U.S. NAVY
Bureau of Ordnance
BOMB & TORPEDO TRUCK
Mark 2 -Mod.3
Capacity 2500 LBS.
Date 1943
s/n 2141902
Wt. 1108 LBS.
MFD by MANLEY MFG. DIV.
American Chain & Cable Co. Inc.
YORK, PA

ACCO, a manufacturing force in York County for decades, was sold to Peerless Chain Co. of Winona, Minn., in 2006.

At that time, ACCO was down to 40-50 employees at its York Township plant.

Georg Sheets' "Made in York" noted the wide use of ACCO chains in World War II as part of the rigging that handled cargoes - including bombs and torpedoes - on Navy ships.

The book also mentioned the bomb and torpedo truck of the type secured by the Tennessee museum.

"The Manley Division of ACCO worked with the U.S. Navy in developing a portable bomb hoist and bomb trucks. Cranes made by ACCO were also used in shipyards to move ships of all sizes."

Drawing courtesy of York County Heritage Trust

York, Pa.'s, Vic Wertz made baseball history - but there's a catch

2009-11-01T10:23:39Z

The New York Giants' Willie Mays makes what has become known as "The Catch" of York County native and Cleveland Indians Vic Wertz's long fly ball in the 1954 World Series. Mays amazing play overshadowed Wertz's stellar performance in that series. Background posts: Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties? and York County sports a miniature Cooperstown and Story answers much about great athlete Hinkey Haines, including origin of his nickname.

I've written before about York native and major league baseball player Vic Wertz.

All he did was hit .500 in the 1954 World Series in which his Cleveland Indians lost to the New York Giants.

He returned from a bout with polio to hit 32 home runs.

Late in his career, he broke his ankle and came back to play on.

But it was that World Series and Willie Mays' over-the-shoulder grab of Wertz's long fly ball that relegated Vic Wertz to baseball's "almost-great" list.

But this post really isn't about baseball.

In a York Sunday News column (11/1/09), I compare Vic Wertz to his native York County, Pa., a kind of human metaphor for this south central Pennsylvania county ... .

]]> See what you think about these excerpts:

When I think of Vic Wertz's story, I think of York County.

It's a region that's overlooked and underrated and undervalued because it's overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbors -- Lancaster and Gettysburg and
Baltimore and Harrisburg.

Its people can do great things -- and Wertz did, indeed -- but it's subsumed by those of greater accomplishments or standing or history.

Wertz gained a spot in the Michigan Hall of Fame, but 266 home runs, 1,692 hits and .277 batting average never gained the attention of the coveted hallowed Hall in Cooperstown.

He was overshadowed by the likes of Willie Mays and others with more flash, stats, talent -- and fortune.

The story of this solid professional is the story of his home county.
+++

The late sportwriter Jim Hubley wrote in a York Daily Record that the comeback from polio and a broken ankle were indicative of Vic Wertz:

"Wertz was indeed a fighter," he wrote.

In this respect, his home county should strive to emulate its native son in its bid to move its considerable assets from under the shadow of its neighbors.

The context here is that leaders are engrossed in finding ways to move York County's accomplishments, resources, landmarks and people higher on the tourism, heritage and economic development list.

Like Vic Wertz, the county might indeed remain "almost great" but, like Vic Wertz, it shouldn't be for lack of effort.

To read the full column, visit: York ballplayer made history -- but there's a catch.

To share your memories of Vic Wertz, visit this thread on The Exchange.

York Hospital's, WellSpan's beginnings: 'A man named Small acted upon a not-so-small idea'

2009-10-31T11:05:20Z

York Hospital started sprawling along the hillside south of York, Pa., from its earliest days after its move from West College Avenue in 1930. That move marked its 50th year of operation. Now, the hospital's parent is reaching into Harrisburg. This week, officials at WellSpan said they would explore a merger with PinnacleHealth of Harrisburg. This photograph comes from longtime York Hospital surgeon Ray Kehm's book "The Birth of a Surgeon." Also of interest: Doctor wrote about oxygen use to aid 'average country practitioners' and Spanish flu epidemic in York: 'People died one right after the other' and Civil War hospital: A master's thesis waiting to be written and West Side Sanitarium, later West Side Osteopathic and later Memorial Hospital born in The Avenues in York.

"One winter day in December 1879, a man named Small acted upon a not-so-small idea and began the serious planning that would before long culminate in a hospital for York, Pennsylvania."

So began the preface of Florence La Rose Ames' "That Sovereign Knowledge," a history of York Hospital's first 100 years.

A hospital was needed in post-Civil War York County... .

]]> "Although still a country town," she wrote. "York had a population of 16,000 and was ready for a centralized place to care for it sick."

Samuel Small, the man credited with the not-so-small idea, answered the need for a hospital to serve the general public. He spearheaded construction of a three-story, 12-bed building on College Avenue.

Small, York's leading 19th-century philanthropist, was accustomed to executing big ideas. He sparked the York Collegiate Institute, forerunner of York College, the Children's Home of York and the York Benevolent Association, among other community work.

And Small was no newcomer to hospitals and their work. He and the volumnious Small family had been involved in the U.S. Army General Military Hospital that operated at York's Penn Park during the Civil War.

"Thus the sprawling, twenty-acre York Hospital that today dominates the city and its environs from a commanding hilltop on South George Street, and that serves approximately a quarter million people, had is inauspicious beginning," Ames wrote in 1990.

Those 12 beds have now grown to 558. The hospital, which along with Gettysburg Hospital operates under WellSpan's big tent, employs more than 3,400 people.

WellSpan's tent covers 40 locations in the region and counts 8,000 physicians, employees, volunteers, board members and auxiliary members. Those numbers could grow. It is now considering a merger with Harriburg's PinnacleHealth.

Health care around York is, indeed, a not-so-small idea.

Sources: Florence La Rose Ames' "That Sovereign Knowledge," www.yorktownsquare.com, www.wellspan.org.

'Columbia, Marietta, Wrightsville' book feeds your sense of discovery

2009-10-30T11:26:42Z

Visitors pose at York County, Pa.'s Wildcat Falls, an unsung landmark on the west bank of the Susquehanna River. Frederic H. Abendschein, in the recently published "Columbia, Marietta, and Wrightsville," wrote: "A popular summertime destination, both local and out-of-town tourists would take a ferry from Marietta to cross the Susquehanna River over to the York County side to reach the falls and the nearby hotel." This photo came from that work, from the presses of Arcadia Publishing. (See additional photos below.) Also of interest: The things you learn from reading local history and Opportunities in York County to feed your sense of discovery and Absorbing photo and overlay shows locations of six Susquehanna bridges.

For years, York County's Wildcat Falls, north of Wrightsville, was a getaway for people on both sides of the Susquehanna River.

People would arrive at the falls via ferry, crossing the river from Marietta. They would cross over the stream near the falls on a narrow wooden bridge and use stairs and handrails going up the hillside parallel to the falls.

They would dine on a nearby deck and enjoy the cool breezes... .

]]>
Visitors dine near Wildcat Falls. Cleon G. Bernteizel contributed this photo for use in the book.

The Lancaster County town of Marietta and the section of York County across the river from it always had a kinship that went beyond the falls. For example, the Marietta Gravity Water Company gathered water from the west bank hills and piped it under the river for use in Marietta.

This rich information and absorbing photographs of the Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville region comes from Frederic H. Abendschein's book whose title bears the name of those river towns.

Abendschein and Arcadia Publishing do a good job of bringing back memories in this photo-laden book. But the work also informs those who have never spent much time near the river.

In short, Arcadia and other such publishers are doing a good job of creating and re-creating a sense a community - a sense of place - via their series of books.

In York County, for example, Arcadia titles explore Shrewsbury, New Freedom, Glen Rock, Hanover, York College, and a bunch of other York County sites. To see the titles, click here.

These books aren't in-depth treatments of their subject but effectively feed a sense of discovery - a desire to know more about our history-rich area.

They bring a sense of serendipity. Will they reveal landmarks that are new or yet unexplored by the reader?

Wildcat Falls fell into the unexplored category for me, a challenge I plan to address.

The book's cover features Columbia Malleable Casting Corporation workers at Second and Linden streets in Columbia. Molds they will use to produce iron castings are in the foreground of this Columbia Historic Preservation Society photo.

York County, Pa. made big, heavy things - and was immensely proud of it, Part II

2009-10-29T10:51:30Z

When this Evening Sun in Hanover, Pa., photo was produced in 2008, about 16,000 pounds of potato chips per hour rolled off the lines at Utz Quality Foods' High Street plant in Hanover. Pending approval by the Federal Trade Commission, Snyder's of Hanover will acquire cross-town snack food producer Utz Quality Foods. Also of interest: Chipmaking of the potato kind has deep roots in York County and Who makes the best potato chips in York County, Martin's or Utz? Or someone else? and York Barbell's tall, heavyweight lifter has long helped put York County on the map.

I've written previously that York County manufacturers have historically made BIG, HEAVY THINGS.

York Barbell, of course, is Exhibit A, almost by definition.

Some lines of the old Pfaltzgraff pottery were known as stoneware and plates are rock-like in weight - wonderful rocks, I might add.

York Safe & Lock made vaults and other such equipment whose bulk kept their contents safe... .

]]>
Snyder's of Hanover, on Hanover's east side, is acquiring west side chipmaker Utz.

Bradley Lifting made large blocks that could hold even larger hooks.

Caterpillar made big machines here, and of course, Harley made big, throaty bikes, not those whiny, little, pastel hummingbirds that dart through traffic.

But Harley-Davidson and others make of BIG, HEAVY THINGS are struggling.

And news came last week that two snack food makers - yes, snack foods as in fragile potato chips - would merge to become perhaps York County's largest manufacturer.

The proposed deal - Snyder's of Hanover's acquisition of Utz - would make for potential employment of more than 4,000.

That would make it nearly the size of York Corporation and other area factories during the peak industrial years of World War II. York Corporation, by the way, made big refrigeration units for Victory ships and other military uses, and its successors chilled the likes of The Chunnel and the World Trade Center.

Big stuff.

That snack food deal down in York County's southwestern part serves as another signal that the U.S. economy is moving from heavy industry to a service economy.

And there's a bit of what goes around, comes around here.

Agriculture fueled York County's economy from its earliest years until the post-Civil War Industrial Revolution.

Now the snack food giants and food processors - fueled by grain and potatoes and good from the soil - are primed to address an economy in which consumers use, well, one crunchy chip at a time.

For posts on stuff Made in York in history, click here.

For posts on York County's agricultural past, click here.

York County's Widow Zinn to Confederate Gen. Jubal Early in new Louisiana Tigers' book: 'Are you goin' to destroy us?'

2009-10-28T11:46:35Z

York County, Pa., Civil War author Scott Mingus has added another book to his growing list of titles: "The Louisiana Tigers in the Gettysburg Campaign, June-July 1863." This 315-page book covers this famous Confederate brigade during the during the Gettysburg Campaign, including its two-day stay in the York area. For locations to purchase the book, contact Mingus at scottmingus@yahoo.com. Civil War book: 'When flames brilliantly illuminated the sky over the Susquehanna River' and Books probing York County in the Civil War come in strong, sudden onslaught and The Four YorkBloggers write.

In his recently published "Louisiana Tigers," Scott Mingus tells the wonderful story of Gen. Jubal Early meeting the widow Zinn in western York County's Big Mount.

"Are you goin' to destroy us, are you going to take all that we've got?" she asked Early.

Early replied: "No madam, and to give you the best protection possible, I will stay with you, with my staff, and no one shall trouble you."

Early then visited one of his brigade commanders, John B. Gordon, at nearby Farmers.

When he returned at about 9 p.m., Mrs. Zinn had saved a supper of 15 varieties of food - meats, vegetables, coffee and milk... .

]]> Mingus wrote:

"While he was eating, Widow Zinn, no longer fearful, was instead very talkative, wanting to discuss the merits of Stonewall Jackson, among other topics. She gave Early a good clean bed, and the well-fed general enjoyed an excellent night's sleep."

Mingus and other recent writers in the present renaissance of interest in York County Civil War history accomplish more than telling this little-told story.

In covering the troops and their movements, they tell about everyday York County life of that period. And they tell about the lives of everyday people - women and people of color who have been so long overlooked.

So, get involved in the renaissance and be prepared to learn about the story behind the story.

Other books touching on York County and the Civil War or the Civil War period:

Scott L. Mingus' "Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Gordon Expedition, June 1863" a study, with driving tour, of the Confederation occupation of York County. Available via scottmingus@yahoo.com; http://scottmingus.webonsites.com; or York Emporium, 343 W. Market St., York, 846-2866. Other works: "Human Interest Stories of the Gettysburg Campaign, Volume I & II" and "Gettysburg Glimpses: True Stories from the Battlefield; and "The Louisiana Tigers in the Gettysburg Campaign."

- George Sheldon's "Fire on the River, The Defense of the World's Longest Covered Bridge and How It Changed the Battle of Gettysburg."

- Dennis W. Brandt's "From Home Guards to Heroes, The 87th Pennsylvania and Its Civil War Community."

- John T. Krepps' "A Strong and Sudden Onslaught, The Cavalry Action at Hanover, Pennsylvania."

- George A. Rummel's "Calvary on the Roads to Gettysburg, Kirkpatrick at Hanover and Hunterstown."

- Eric J. Wittenberg and J. David Petruzzi's "Plenty of Blame to Go Around, Jeb Stuart's Controversial Ride to Gettysburg."

- Scott Butcher's "Civil War Walking Tour."

- Lila Fourhman-Shaull's "A Walking Tour of Civil War-Era residents at Prospect Hill Cemetery, York, Pa."

- Mark Snell's "From First to Last, The Life of Major General William B. Franklin."

- John V. Jezierski's "Enterprising Images, The Goodridge Brothers, African-American Photographers, 1847-1922."

- June Lloyd's "Faith and Family, Pennsylvania German Heritage in York County Area Fraktur."

- My "East of Gettysburg, A Gray Shadow Crosses York County, Pa." and "Almost Forgotten, A Glimpse of Black History in York County, Pa." also join this group.

Linked in with neat York County, Pa., history stuff - Oct. 27, 2009

2009-10-27T11:16:07Z

Dwight Nadig captured the ceiling in the Farquhar Park gazebo in York, Pa. This photograph was published in the just-released "Capture York," a 128-page picture book of York County. Pediment Publishing and InYork.com published this work of 173 local photographers, who submitted 3,392 photos. Web users cast 165,126 votes for their favorite photos, which ended up in the book. For details, visit Capture York. Also of interest: York County book 'All in One Room' available for readers and The Four YorkBloggers write and York Daily Record's 'Remember' oral history series recalls many topics that touched York County.

Remember S & H Green Stamps issued by Sperry & Hutchinson?

The York Daily Record/Sunday News' "Remember" oral history series explored readers recollections of those days when stamps were in great demand.

Which raised the question.

If you still have S&H Green Stamps, are they worth anything?

"Remember" gave this answer:

]]> Yes. You can exchange old Green Stamps for merchandise, cash or trade them in for Greenpoints, a digital version of the Green Stamps program. Green Stamps are converted to Greenpoints on a one-to-one ratio. Mail stamps and order information to: S&H Solutions, ATTN: Green Stamps Processing Department, 1625 S. Congress Ave., Suite 200, Delray Beach, FL 33445.

Include your count of the stamps you're submitting, as well as your S&H member ID number (if you have one), plus your name, address and phone number. Stamps must be affixed to stamp books or to sheets of 8-by-11-inch paper.

And the company now offers S&H Greenpoints, a digital version of Green Stamps. Greenpoints can be earned online and at participating retail locations. Catalogues are available by calling 800-435-5674 or by visiting www.greenpoints.com/catalog/cat_Use.asp.

- Mark Platts of Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area has received the statewide Fisher Award, given out annually to local, state and national officials who contribute to the promotion and understanding of archaeology in Pennsylvania. Mr. Platts received the 2009 award for his role in preserving the historic sites of the last two Susquehannock Indian settlements, along the Susquehanna River in York County.

The Upper Leibhart site, dating to 1665, is now owned and managed as an archaeological preserve by the Archaeological Conservancy. The last village site, dating to 1676 and known as the Byrd Leibhart site, is now part of Native Lands County Park. Mr. Platts and the Heritage Area helped lead the community coalition that acquired and permanently preserved both sites.

- The Pennsylvania State Park System has won the prestigious National Gold Medal Award presented by the American Academy of Park and Recreation Management in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association.

The Gold Medal Award, presented every two years, is the highest honor a park system can receive. Three state parks operated within York County borders: Samuel Lewis, Gifford Pinchot and Codorus.

- Yorkblogger and author Scott Mingus will present a free presentation and talk tonight at Otterbein United Methodist Church, 3241 N. George Street in Emigsville. For details, call the church office at 717-764-0007. Mingus, author of a recent book on the Louisiana Tigers, tailors his talks to the locale in which he is speaking, using damage claims filed with the state in the aftermath of the Confederate invasion of York County in 1863. Those claims show the path of the rebel infantry and cavalry units when they overran the county in the days before the Battle of Gettysburg.

- Linked in with neat York County history stuff - Oct. 10, 2009.

Linked in - Oct. 22, 2009.

- Linked in with neat York County, Pa., history stuff - Oct. 27, 2009.

Judge Emanuel Cassimatis added to growing list of distinguished York countians recognized for community involvement

2009-10-26T11:47:12Z

York, Pa.'s Martin Library honored Emanuel A. Cassimatis for library and community involvement at a recent ceremony. The event also served as a fundraiser for the library's endowment fund, used to purchased new books. (See list of past honorees and Cassimatis' favorite books below.) The Cassimatises: 'Builders and Heroes,' Part I and William Penn Senior High School Hall of Fame honors a host of York County achievers and York's Martin Library asks community: What to do with those old doors?.

Retired York County Judge Emanuel A. Cassimatis was meeting with the president of Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of the International Tribunal of Children's Rights. It was the Friday following the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001.

During introductions, the president express his sympathy to Cassimatis, as a U.S. representative, for the tragedy.

"You know," he told the group, "we are all bound by a universal consciousness so that when something happens to one of us, it affects all of us."

Cassimatis told that story in receiving an award from Martin Library. This member of York's pioneering Greek family then summarized its meaning and what it says about community involvement... .

]]> "I would suggest that it is this natural sense of communion we have with one another," he said, "that leads us to share our social capital with our fellow citizens."

The retired judge is now on a list of involved community workers recognized by the library. That list, which follows, is a who's who of community achievers in the past 15 years:

Jennifer Paup
May M. Hart

Otis B. Morse IV

William H. Kain

Helen Klinedinst

C. William Dize

Elaine Kirschner Laucks

R. Clair Frank

Walt Partymiller

Ruthe Fortenbaugh Craley

William A. Falkler

Mary G. Stephenson

Dorrie Leader

Lavere Senft

Zoe Meisenhelder

George D. Stough

Lynne Pfafflin Danyo

Luther and Ruth Sowers

Frances E. Keller

It was appropriate that the judge's name is now on the list. Some of those feting him told about his avid interest in books.

His favorites:

"Truman," David McCullough

"The Illiad," Homer

"American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic," Joseph J. Ellis.

"The Greek Passon," Nikos Kazantzakis

"An Unquiet Mind," Kay Redfield Jamison

"The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of the World Order," Samuel P. Huntingdon

Ohio Blenders silos in York's Northwest Triangle are not coming down easily

2009-10-25T09:05:40Z

The landmark silos at the Ohio Blenders York, Pa., complex are coming down and the Northwest Triangle project's condos, shops and office will go up in their place. That's the Codorus Creek, at right.(See related photo below.) Background posts: Map explains York, Pa.'s $50 million redevelopment area and York County agrarianism vs. industrialization and All farms and fields posts from the start.

The silos that mark Ohio Blenders can be seen as symbols of York County's agriculture.

So their demolition to make way for badly needed new and rehabbed buildings can be viewed as bittersweet, another storm to wash out carefully planted seeds in a longtime farm economy.

But those tall icons are not easily plowed under... .

]]>
After the ceremonies, workers effectively claw into the side of Ohio Blenders alfalfa sales complex.

A photo op linked to a news conference this week went awry. A construction machine, with York Mayor John Brenner at the controls, was deployed to claw into a grain-loading building next to the towers, a ceremonial act toward their demolition.

But the machine wouldn't start at first and mechanics had to open its hood, delaying the ceremony. Finally, Brenner, with the help of an operator, maneuvered the claw into the side of the building.

It was as if the deeply rooted silos had willed that they were not going to easily give an inch to a bunch of city slickers in suits.

Linked in with neat York County, Pa., history stuff - Oct. 24, 2009

2009-10-24T12:02:29Z

The York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News and MediaOnePa has released a new York County area picture book, "Capture York." The book is packed with user-submitted photographs. Melanie Wallace took this cover photograph. For details, visit www.captureyork.com. (See additional photo below.) Also of interest: Horse, buggy, one-room school make York County comeback. and The Four YorkBloggers write and Postcards tell story of York County community .

Here's a chance to see an Amish school up close.

The GFWC New Holland Area Woman's Club is hosting its 11th Annual 'HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES' Nov. 14,10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Lancaster County tour includes 8 homes and an Amish School. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 on tour day.

Proceeds benefit community and charitable organizations including ELANCO Library, Liberty Fire Co., New Holland Recreation Center, New Holland Park Summer Arts Program and the park playground, New Holland Rescue Squad, Garden Spot Soccer League, and Garden Spot Little League. For tickets and further information, call 717-351-9995.

- More neat stuff below. -

]]>
American Gothic? No, a photo from Capture York. Dianne Bowders submitted this circa 1914, taken from a family album. Notice the groundhog, killed on their Manchester Township farm.

Joe Stein, who always shares neat stuff about York County history, shared a link to some old postcards on eBay.

He points out that another way to see old postcards on there is to go to eBay and search for "york, pa postcards" no account needed.

- Gametimepa.com, a Central Pa. sports site with stories and photos from the York Daily Record/Sunday News and three other Central Pennsylvania newspapers, is developing a local sports history sports section. Visit that site at http://www.gametimepa.com/localhistory

- Blogger June Lloyd is in to the chips, potato chips, that is. With the sale of Hanover Utz chips to cross-town rival Snyder's of Hanover, here series on York County potato chips is particularly relevant.

- Linked in with neat York County history stuff - Oct. 10, 2009.

Linked in - Oct. 22, 2009.