I was surprised at the identity of the thieves who stole chickens, throughout eight townships, during a six-month crime spree in York County; during WWI. Among their victims was my grandfather Emanuel G. Barshinger; everybody called him Manny. I initially heard the story of the chicken theft a little over
What are your top three Dempwolf buildings in York County? My list includes the Fluhrer Building at 17 West Market Street in York. I had never considered that question until it came up several months ago, during a jury duty lunch break. From our table in Cherry Lane Park, everybody
The crew filming the ‘York Plan’ movie during 1942 utilized the Ritz Theatre as their testing laboratory for daily film screenings. The Ritz was one of the oldest movie houses in York, originally established in 1910 as the Scenic Theatre; then featuring a vaudeville act and showing several silent films
The H. J. Freezer Company post of Tuesday quickly resulted in nine questions from readers. That military apparel company in Spring Garden Township was granted the Army-Navy “E” Award, for excellence in production, on June 27, 1944. In addition to replying individually to the e-mails, I’m sharing the answers in
Soap Box Derby racing was conducted on the South Queen Street hill from 1952 until 1959. The gravity-powered racers started in Spring Garden Township; just below the Highland Road intersection with Queen Street. As the racers sped through the Rathton Road intersection they entered York City. The finish line of
Officially sanctioned Soap Box Derby racing began on York’s Madison Avenue in 1939. The gravity-powered racers started in Farquhar Park, sped across Roosevelt Avenue to the finish line at Hartley Street; a 730-foot course. The contestants were required to enlist a sponsor. The sponsor paid the cost of the official
Kit Lentz submitted two Melvin’s drive-in photos; which are new to me. Who can identify these five girls at the original drive-in location, next to Mill Creek; photo is probably from late 1940s or early 1950s? Melvin’s original drive-in was demolished in the late 1950s, with the construction of I-83.
Soap Box Derby racing in York raises questions. Did you ever build a derby racer in Junior High shop class? Do you know the sites of the three derby tracks in York? What happened to all those old Soap Box Derby racers? Can you name the Yorker that defeated all
In the span of 13-years Dempwolf Architects designed at least five buildings for Mahlon Haines in York County. The final buildings was the 5-story, 47-room Haines Hotel on the northwest corner of North George Street and West Philadelphia Street. Reinhardt Dempwolf had a recurring business association with Mahlon Haines. J.
The distinctive red roof of Memory Lane’s Huntleys drive-in was repurposed to the pictured hunting club in Centre County. Mike Eisenhart shared the photo and wrote: “My father-in-law, Curt Linsey, worked with the crew that demolished Huntleys on Memory Lane. He was able to salvage the red metal roof shingles