Mail call: Memories of the West York area from a ‘boomer’
Today’s reader letter comes from Rose Dayhoff of West Manchester Township, who shared a lot of fun memories from the West York area.
She writes, “I remember W. Market St., starting at Richland Ave., heading west. First, Earl Ness’s Gas Station filled with vending machines and all kinds of snacks on racks. Ice cream bar too! Next a block down was Franklin Discount store, with its creaky wooden floors. It was 2 stories of shopping fun.” (You might remember that we talked about Franklin Discount in some length before, back in May, in January, and last December.)
Rose continues, “Across the street, before the railroad tracks, was Jim & Nena’s first pizza shop in the York area, where Hess’s Gas Station is now. Down next to the York Fairgrounds was the West Side Hospital. Across from the hospital was Robert Hall’s clothing store. Next to Robert Hall’s was a hamburger joint. I forgot the name, maybe someone else will know.” Any ideas?
She adds, “At the West York Reliance Fire Hall, every Friday night it was sock hop night. Fun! At the corner of Highland was and still is York Fish and Oyster wholesale seafood! The West York Hardware Store was on the next corner. I remember Babe Keller’s Bar and Restaurant. Also Lazzara’s Furniture Store beside Babe’s and Sharp’s dry cleaning where you took 2 steps down to enter. On Friday nights, all the kids from West York High went to Latucca’s Sub Bar for food and fun. Don’t forget their grocery store on the premises too!”
“Ernie Heffner’s Funeral Parlor was on the next corner. Also Sara Ellen’s Ceramic Shop. I took classes there! Burger King was across the street, which is now an auto parts place. Let’s not forget Dunkin Donuts 2 doors down. Dairy Queen was in there someplace. Also A&P grocery store was where Super Shoes is now. Friendly’s was near and the Pfaltzgraff store, which was on top of the hill before you got to Route 30 bypass,” she said.
And Rose concludes, “I’m sure lots of people remember the White Swan, Lincoln Drive-In and U.S. 30 Race-o-way. I know I missed a lot of other places. So come on, ‘WY Boomers,’ bring on those memories!”
Please do! I’d love to hear more.
Who remembers Wantz Jewelers on Highland Ave, near the West York In?
The burger joint was called Jim’s Burgers. He had a pretty big menu. My mom loved his cheese steak subs. Sometimes we would get his “bag of burgers” for $2 and a couple orders of fries. That’s 5 burgers, good burgers too. Fed us easily one night.