When I was growing up in Chanceford and Windsor townships, we did our much of our weekly shopping for groceries in Red Lion, but we traveled to York for serious shopping. I was quite familiar with Bear’s, Bon Ton and Wiest’s department stores, as well as the more specialized shoe
A Facebook friend asked about the history of Victor’s Italian Restaurant on Ogontz Street, knowing that the building was a former church. I looked through the York County History Center files and City Directories as well as online sources. Several newspaper articles on Victor’s in the YCHC restaurant file recapped
For over a month I have been putting together a slide show on York’s square in commemoration of the 275th anniversary of the laying out of York in 1741. The information on the square at the York County History Center Library/Archives, an abundance of maps, drawings, photographs and clippings, is
Nearly a year ago I wrote a York Sunday News column and several blog posts about the travels of the 19th century cigar store figure, Punch, up and down and all around the northwest quadrant of York’s Continental Square. Punch is now on display at his current home, the York
You might have recently read in the York Daily Record concerning proposed improvements and beautification of the Codorus Creek through part of the city. Wouldn’t it be great if this time something comes of it? Seemingly innumerable similar proposals have been put forth over the years, plans drawn up and
Even small newspaper items and advertisements can give clues on life in the past, such as these ads from the May 7, 1857 York County Star and Wrightsville Advertiser, These two are for Wrightsville businesses, Reuben Simpson’s barber shop and Daniel T. Lehman’s restaurant, but other ads in this issue
York officials were getting a bit testy with the condition of York bridges, according to the May 15, 1908 York Gazette. The streets were the responsibility of the city, but maintaining the bridges over the Codorus Creek was the county’s obligation. The newspaper reports the following discussion: “Mr. Caumer then
Ploughing George Street Along with spring comes potholes, and we grumble about the condition of streets and roads. The Lewis Miller drawing above might make you feel better. South George Street might develop the inevitable pothole now and then, but at least it’s level…and paved. The caption reads:
Lewis Miller drawing of York’s square in 1799. I recently posted a Lewis Miller illustration of “wicked boys” taking a wagon apart and reconstructing it on the roof of the market house in 1804. I was asked where that market was. Click here to read that post. It was
You think road construction causes problems for motorists now? The following news article, from the October 19, 1928 York Gazette, might make you appreciate modern techniques.