YorksPast

Part of the USA Today Network

1860 Buildings 31-40 in East Region of Springettsbury Township

SouthEast Region in what is now Springettsbury Township; from Shearer’s 1860 Map of York County, PA & Penn Pilot Aerial Photo, from Sept. 15, 1937, of Same Area (Annotations by S. H. Smith, 2014)
SouthEast Region in what is now Springettsbury Township; from Shearer’s 1860 Map of York County, PA & Penn Pilot Aerial Photo, from Sept. 15, 1937, of Same Area (Annotations by S. H. Smith, 2014)

Within this illustration, I’ve pointed out ten 1860 buildings and their corresponding location on a 1937 aerial photo. Since this group of ten is closely spaced, here is an enlarged view of the key section of the 1937 aerial photo:

DetailE31to40

I’m working my way around Springettsbury Township, ten buildings at a time, until all buildings from 1860 are visited. The present commercial corridors are being visited first. See the post: Springettsbury Township building tally during 1860, for my specification of the four regions.

Other posts in this series include:

Shearer’s 1860 Map of York County contains the owner/occupant of most buildings; for example (e31) is D. Witmer. Additional information on D. Witmer can be found by consulting the 1860 Census of the United States; where one discovers this is David Witmer, a 48-year-old farmer. David Witmer was also a Preacher; I previously wrote about the One-Room Schoolhouse, along Stonewood Road, that was named for him.

The results after consulting 1860 Spring Garden Township census records are shown below. Spring Garden Township records must be used because Springettsbury Township was formed from the northeast part of that township on April 20, 1891. The order of visitation, of the census taker, often provides assistance on who are neighbors and the tabulation of “value of real estate” separates the landowners from the renters or tenants:

StCensusE31to 40

Five of these 1860 buildings still stand, as residences, at these addresses:

  • [e31] – 4160 Old Orchard Road
  • [e33] – 530 Stonewood Road
  • [e35] – 512 Stonewood Road
  • [e36] – 504 Stonewood Road
  • [e37] – 4038 Old Orchard Road

Deed and early family history research concerning the history of these properties is ongoing. My goal is to get community involvement. If anyone has a story associated with past owners of these properties, please post a comment.

The residence at location [e37] was built sometime between 1847 and 1857; it is presently located at 4038 Old Orchard Road and at the moment is for sale. The posted description of the property is as follows:

A stately presence; this Circa-1857 Brick Home sitting proudly on 2.72 Ac of private, secluded grounds has been completely renovated combining old world charm w/modern luxury. Original Pine floors, 18” deep sill windows, extensive molding, transoms & built-ins. Brick Summer House w/cedar roof, vaulted ceilings. Exquisite grounds w/2 spring fed ponds. 3-car garage.

The following aerial photo of the exquisite grounds surrounding the pre-1860 brick home, is a testament to the possibilities of keeping older structures; while building modern housing developments around them.

Aerial Photo of part of the Grounds at 4038 Old Orchard Road, York, PA (From Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices listing site: http://www.homesale.com/p/99/10258762?mlsids[]=10258762)
Aerial Photo of part of the Grounds at 4038 Old Orchard Road, York, PA (From Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices listing site: http://www.homesale.com/p/99/10258762?mlsids[]=10258762)
Reading the HEADLINES; A Quick Index to ALL YorksPast Posts