The origins of Springettsbury Township Park stretches back centuries. In 1793, Jacob Strickler established a 44-acre farm straddling present Mount Zion Road; with the farm fields worked by Strickler descendants, continuously for over 100-years. Dr. Louis V. Williams conveyed those same 44-acres to Springettsbury Township in 1966, at the conclusion of a 10-year installment payment plan. Three years later, the farm fields were transformed into the initial nucleus of Springettsbury Township Park.
Joe Spagnolo shared some fascinating early history about the 1960s Wagner’s Diner, located along the Lincoln Highway, east of Hellam. A 1963 publication contains a photo of the downstairs bar, with the caption: “Wagner’s Saloon, run by John Wagner in Hellam, Pa., is the home of the country’s first Noggin Club.” These clubs quickly spread across North America. They owed their name and popularity to characteristics of Noggin beer mugs, produced with the proprietary, aluminum-based alloy metal, Armetale, developed in 1963 by Ralph P. (Bud) Wilton, Jr.
A question from Tim Ritter, caused his dad, Glenn, to reminisce about a 1960s go-kart track in Hellam Township; along the Lincoln Highway east of Hallam, located behind Wagner’s Diner. Glenn ended up sharing stories about go-kart racing and recreational go-karting in York County. Tim decided to share them with YorksPast, while inquiring about several facts his dad was not sure about.
Mill Races transported Valley Creek water to power everything from Grist to Saw Mills within Glen Rock. From 1837 until 1933, a covered Head Race was located under the present outdoor seating area of the pictured Glen Rock Mill Inn, delivering water to power the waterwheels within the mill.
A query from Katie Evans resulted in a flurry of e-mails leading to submission of historic photos of the North Pole Drive-In and The FLORIDA ROOM in Springettsbury Township.
The York County location of the Haines Home Made Ice Cream shop was a family history mystery to Joyce Evans.
Can you name the five Drive-Thru food businesses located on the lot of the former R. W. Bowman car and truck dealership? That was the question Bob Leiphart posed, upon seeing me taking a few photos last year of the soon be to demolished Gyro-X-Press at 55 Memory Lane; to
Between Bury’s Restaurant and neighboring Playland which opened first along the Lincoln Highway in Springettsbury Township? That stumped me; so I told the group to check a future YorksPast post for the answer. However the ensuing discussion, with an audience last week, included a comment indicating Bury’s had at least
An artifact of Bube’s Brewery’s 1908 YORK Ice Machine still adorns the walls of that Lancaster County establishment in Mount Joy. That YORK Manufacturing Company machine was an addition to a YORK Ice Machine, which Alois Bube previously purchased in 1893. The 1893 YORK Ice Machine was one of the
What are your memories of the Dutch Boy Drive-In along South Queen Street near I-83? That question was asked following one of my presentations last week. The query stumped me. The questioner produced a small advertising card and allowed me to take a photo. Follow-up research revealed that Drive-In was