Due to York County’s crossroads location, its residents have had access to many experiences during the past few hundred years. We were not nearly as far off “the beaten path” as we are sometimes made out to be. For instance, children in more remote areas could read about exotic animals,
We look at covered bridges, or memories of the now mostly extinct bridges, as picturesque remnants of the past. But they were not built to be charming. They were vital links in the transportation system. The walls and roof were added to protect the bridge from the elements, preserving its
I never tire looking at the drawings of York folk artist Lewis Miller (1796-1882). His illustrations depicting town and rural life during the first half of the 19th century are so detailed. He wrote captions, most just a few sentences, but some quite lengthy, adding more insight into the daily
I know Easter was several months ago, but I was just researching other subjects on the 1940s newspaper microfilms at York County Heritage Trust, and I came across many stories about Easter egg hunts of about 70 years ago. Some were large and some small, for preschoolers and/or older children,
I can always find something of interest in the old newspapers on microfilm at York County Heritage Trust. Sometimes the little items from across the county are the most interesting. Here are a few from the July 1, 1887 York Gazette: “LUCKY FIND—Lillie Senft, one of the rag sorters in
Only a few more days left to catch this year’s York Fair–food–top entertainers–food–animals–food–crafts–food–harness races–food (you get the picture). York County Heritage Trust Library/Archives has file boxes full of information, photographs and postcards of the York Fairs of the past, all shared by generous donors for us today and for future
Can you imagine droves of cattle on Market Street? That was evidently a fairly common sight a hundred years ago. According to the June 18, 1907 York Dispatch article below, excitement ensued when one steer cut loose: STEER ON RAMPAGE ENTERS BARBER SHOP West End Tonsorial Artist Interrupted While Shaving
Lewis Miller drawing of 1804 York horserace I was intrigued to see that the famous stallion Smarty Jones will be staying just a couple of miles from me for a while. Ghost Ridge Farms, 860 Dietz Rd., York (between Longstown and Freysville in Windsor Twp.) is holding a public open
Chicken judging at York Fair, 1947 Time again for the York Fair. This year I hope to get there to sample in person two things I have included in posts the past year–harness racing and Bury’s hamburgers. It’s been a while since I’ve had one of those great baked potatoes
Yorkers did not lack for entertainment. Traveling performers and theater groups of all kinds made regular stops in York. The draw of the menagerie was usually the assortment of exotic animals, but the one the came to town in May 1843 added lots of drama to the animal acts. The