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Codorus Navigation Company operated canal boats, pulled by a few mules, to transport goods along the Codorus Creek; between downtown York, PA and the Susquehanna River, across which, connections could be made with the Pennsylvania Canal System.

October 13th Springettsbury History Night features Codorus Creek

The October 13, 2021, History Night in Springettsbury Township will feature the Codorus Creek, which forms the northwest boundary of the township. Stephen H. Smith will provide the presentation, exploring the Codorus Navigation Works. Ruins from those Works were discovered and photographed by Mike Spyker.

Township residents and the local community are invited to join the Historic Preservation Committee at the Springettsbury History Night event on October 13, 2021; in the York Area United Fire and Rescue Conference Room, located at 50 Commons Drive, York, PA 17402, at 7:00 P.M. Enter at the rear of the building. Parking many be limited at the station, so please, if possible utilize car-pooling, or park along Commons Drive, being mindful of emergency vehicle access.

The submitted photo illustration imagines the early 1800s, in the days before railroads, when waterways and canals were a dominant means of transportation. The Codorus Navigation Company operated canal boats, pulled by a few mules, to transport goods along the Codorus Creek; between downtown York, PA and the Susquehanna River, across which, connections could be made with the Pennsylvania Canal System.

Time Line of early Transportation Systems, via Water and Rail; connecting York County, Pennsylvania to neighboring counties and states. (S.H. Smith, 2021)

The majority of the navigation works locks and towpath were located in, what is now, Springettsbury Township. Learn about the construction and placement of the dams, locks, and towpath. Mills and forges along the Codorus Creek will also be explored; since much of the navigation works utilized adaptations of their previously built dams.

History Nights are held the second Wednesday of April, July and October. They feature a presentation on an aspect of Township history including photographs and stories of life in Springettsbury Township. The Historic Preservation Committee invites community members to share their stories.

Aviation in Springettsbury was the topic of the initial History Night on July 14th, 2021; where my presentation covered 40-years of aviation stories related to the township, and township resident Dave Heltzel shared the aviation exploits of his father, Robert Heltzel, who was one of the pilots for J. David Allen.

The YouTube video of Springettsbury Township History Night on July 14, 2021 is accessed through this link.

Click on this LINK for a yorkblog.com Full View of the photos and illustrations in this post.

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