Publishing houses producing York County newspapers in 1899 were defined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as factories. York County had three newspapers based in York City that year, however there were also nine newspapers published around the county. I’ll be presenting my talk “Countdown of the Top 50 York County
The Conewago Oil and Gas Company was chartered in 1889 to wildcat for York County oil and gas fields. A wildcatter is an American term for those who drill wildcat wells, which are exploration oil wells drilled in areas not known to be oil fields. Last weeks Wild Cat Glen
This image of the Glen Orchard lingers as a ghostly echo of Hellam Hills past. The photo ghosts an image of the Glen Orchard; onto a photo taken two months ago, at the exact spot where that hotel once stood. The Glen Orchard hotel sat in front of a high
The Dritt Mansion along the Susquehanna River at Long Level was the site of a lecture on the story behind the Revolutionary War powder horn of Captain Jacob Dritt. Last week’s lecture was part of the Second Wednesday Heritage Lecture Series at The Zimmerman Center for Heritage; a mansion once
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
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
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.
Most Yorkers remember Karl Ort with his legendary beard however the upcoming Second Saturday talk at the York County History Center will explore his earlier beardless days as a World War I pilot and commercial aviator. On Saturday October 13, 2018 at 10:30 AM, Karl Ort: Into the Wild Blue
In 1832 Phineas Davis built the “Atlantic” an improved version of his 1831 “York” locomotive for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. While the “York” was the first successful coal burning locomotive in the United States, the “Atlantic” was considered the first commercially successful locomotive; finishing its active life as a
Three public talks by Stephen H. Smith are scheduled over the next five weeks. This year, the majority of my talks have been to private groups following luncheons, so this is your chance for the general public to catch some of my newer talks. A synopsis and scheduling of all