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.
Tag Archives: York Fair
JFK joined TR as U.S. presidents who visited YF: Linked in with neat York County history stuff – Sept. 18, 2011
The York County Agricultural Society’s photograph collection shows presidential candidate John F. Kennedy at the 1960 York Fair. Notice the state troopers, who protected JFK, in the foreground. (See another post about JFK’s visit.) Teddy Roosevelt had also visited the … Continue reading
Joe Bury: How wartime conditions lessened quality of hamburgers
A York Fair patrons enjoys a Bury’s hamburger outside the iconic restaurant chain’s stand. Dave Gulden wrote in his book ‘York Fair: Family Fun Since 1765:’ ‘Hotdogs were abundant at the 1943 Fair. But the local hamburger baron, Joe Bury, … Continue reading
Bury’s burgers slathered with that red sauce: It is its own thing
The printing on this photograph shows the consumption of Bury’s Famous Hamburgers at the York Fair circa 1940. Bury’s burger stands remain a staple of the York Fair. In fact, there’ s a new Bury’s stand this year. Also of … Continue reading
Part II: From then until now, York Fair book tells about family fun since 1765
This image touts the York Fair in the days before Pearl Harbor. Dave Gulden wrote in his “York Fair: Family Fun Since 1765″ that the 1942 York Fair ended with a patriotic note. One hundred men were sworn into the … Continue reading
From then until now, York Fair book tells about family fun since 1765
The cover of Dave Gulden’s ‘York Fair: America’s First Fair From Then Until Now’ pretty well is indicative of its contents. There’s a lot of content about the biggest and the best and the unusual and, well, the freakish. The … Continue reading
Part II: York countians are proud of the York Fair, and there’s a lot to be proud about
No, this 734-pound pumpkin was not the largest in York Fair history. A fair spokesman recalled that one weighed in the upper 800 pound to lower 900 pound range. Such big pumpkins don’t become giants by chance. “A lot of … Continue reading
Bury’s Famous Hamburgers stand offers best burger in York Fair bout
This photograph ran in the York Sunday News right after New Year’s Day in 2000, and its caption noted that the last of the Bury’s 11 York-area restaurants closed in 1986. In a sense, Joe Bury’s popular hamburger stands out-McDonalded … Continue reading
York Fair produces affairs to remember
A father and son took brides last week at the York Fair. Interesting how love and the fair have gone hand-in-hand from the annual festival’s earliest days… .
