Research into the often-asked question: “Why is a Graveyard along Eastern Boulevard at Stone Ridge Road?” revealed a surprise. It was generally known, that the graveyard accepted burials from churches, which stood directly across Stone Ridge Road. However the burial ground origins go back further; to at least 1830 when
Rick van Vliet shared a 1946 letter his father received from Frank Zercher, the father of Sgt. Robert W. Zercher of York, PA; a downed American WWII airman who was aided by the Dutch Resistance. Rick’s father, Willem F. van Vliet, was a member of the Dutch Resistance, which aided downed Allied airmen by keeping them out of harms way in Holland; not easy, as Dutch civilians were being subjected to the terror of forced labor by the German military.
In 1872, the Northern Central Railway established a picnic area near Howard Tunnel. During summer seasons, scheduled and special steam trains transported organizations to and from these Tunnel Grounds; which were improved year-after-year into a first-class one-day destination for groups with a minimum of 20, however up to as many as 600.
Bill Eaton has an interest in the present location and the wording on a Memorial Plaque originally affixed to the scoreboard installed by York-Hoover employees at Memorial Stadium in York. Within collections of the York County History Center, a 1948 article, with photos, was discovered in “The York-Hoover Herald,” a monthly publication by and for the employees of York-Hoover Corporation, which answered many of his questions.
York Corporation employee Robert W. Zercher became a Ball Turret Gunner during WWII in which a downed B-17 bomber led to his tragic murder by the Nazi SS.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park along South Penn Street in York was dedicated on May 16, 1970. That evening Boston Celtic great Bill Russell spoke to a gathering at York High, following an appearance at the dedication. It was a coup in getting Bill Russell to attend; he
Interesting finds associated with Philip Livingston monuments in York evolved from a common family history query. Two signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried in York, PA; native son James Smith and New Yorker Philip Livingston. Philip’s prominent monument in Prospect Hill Cemetery notes: “This monument erected by his
President George H. W. Bush is first cousin, seven times removed to Philip Livingston; a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Philip Livingston is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, in Manchester Township, York County, PA. I created this chart several years ago for one of my family history talks to
George A. Wood is the only York County African-American killed in action during WWI. His grave in Spring Garden Township is unmarked, although he had a headstone at one time. His grave was not marked by a small American Flag this past Memorial Day; I wonder if it ever was?
Ervin Sheffer is among the 24 WWI York County Veterans buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France (complete list at end of post). Corporal Sheffer was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions in the taking of Hill 253 during the Meuse-Argonne region offensive, occurring the