Names of York: P. Joseph Raab
More in the ongoing series on the Names of York.
Place: P. Joseph Raab County Park in North Codorus Township
Who was it named after? P. Joseph Raab was a former York County Commissioner who, in 1968, recognized the need for the preservation of open space and recreational areas and was instrumental in the founding of the county park system.
Fun fact: Raab created the first park in the York County parks system in the late 1960s – Rocky Ridge. He reached an agreement with the Kondor family for $800,000. Raab, a farmer and orchardman as well as commissioner, wanted the county to have a park system similar to one in place in Reading.
Source: York County Department of Parks and Recreation
Bonus fun fact: Despite Raab’s leadership in forming the county park system, the park bearing Raab’s own name wasn’t established until 1993. That park didn’t have permanent road-front access until 2002, when Waste Management donated 47 acres surrounding the park during the ceremony seen here. Photo is by Christopher Glass.
Do you have a suggestion of a place in York County named for a person? If so, post a comment! I’m going to work my way through some likely ones, such as schools and parks, but I need other suggestions too!
