A couple of months ago I wrote a column on the basket makers of Bullfrog Alley. Many of them seem to be the same families that were known as York’s Gypsies. Just about all these people came to York from southwestern Germany around 1840 to 1860. They settled around East
Just because they didn’t have automobiles doesn’t mean streets and roads were free of accidents in the 19th century. The accounts below appeared on the front page of the November 19, 1884 edition of the York Daily under the heading “Driving Accidents”:
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
When you think about it, cars are easier to control than horses; your Ford Mustang isn’t going to get spooked by a train. The December 4, 1877 York Gazette reported two accidents, one quite harrowing, near Smith’s Station in Heidelberg Township. Not being as familiar with the southwestern part of
I know it’s not York Fair season, but we’re just coming out of Jimmy Stewart (It’s a Wonderful Life) season, so this blog is somewhat timely. Years ago, probably when the Gazette and Daily became the York Daily Record, their mid-20th century clipping files were donated to the Historical Society
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
I’ve already told the story of Edman “Ned” Spangler, son of a York County sheriff and one of the so-called “Lincoln conspirators.” With all the recent to-do about the John Wilkes Booth bobble-heads that were on sale several Lincoln-related sites (insensitivity at its highest), I wanted to share another Booth
Where was everyone? It was perfect weather for the fair this evening, but the crowd seemed mighty sparse. Granted, there was no big-name act on the grandstand, but there were bands playing for free, the harness races were free, the newborn calves were cute and the food was good. Speaking
York Fair time again—where did the year go? Time again to have a Bury’s hamburger at one of the two or more stands that claim they make the real thing. I think they are all run by relatives of the original Bury brothers, so I am guessing that they can
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