York Town Square

Part of the USAToday Network

Civil War site to add former World War II POW housing: Linked in with neat York County history stuff – Sept. 7, 2011


The National Park Service in Gettysburg, Pa., is seeking to secure land and a structure that is more famous for its World War II history. The Hanover Evening Sun reports that the art deco-styled Gettysburg Armory housed German prisoners during World War II. The armory is on the boundary of the Gettysburg National Military Park. The building has been empty for about a year. Pennsylvania Army National Guardsmen gather in a new center on South Mountain. For details, visit: Armory and 3-acre parcel would be added to the Gettysburg Battlefield.

Neat stuff from all over (I love to hear from readers):

– Roy Flinchbaugh commented on my reference to York County’s far-flung trolley system in a recent York Daily Record column:

“It was indeed that, but it was even farther-flung than that. My mother (born in 1899) used to tell of taking the trolley when she was a girl to visit relatives in Reading. The trip necessitated a transfer in Lancaster. The trolley took the bridge across the Susquehanna at Wrightsville (only the pylons remain of that bridge now, although it was still being used by the railroad to link York and Lancaster when I was going to F&M back in the late ’40’s)”

-Sue Shiflett is living in Florida and is looking for a copy of the York High Tatler for 1939.

“I think there was only one book for each graduating year even when they graduated the midterm classes,” she wrote.

She’s looking for a used book dealer who might have one or can find one.

The York County Heritage Trust archives might have one as a reference that can’t be checked out. As for used book dealers, Sue might try Jim Lewin of the York Emporium.
If you can help Sue in her Tatler quest, comment below or contact her: sue.shiflett@yahoo.com.
Pennsylvania Dutch courses: Lowell Brown from the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society emailed about an upcoming intermediate course in the Pennsylvania German dialect at the Historical Society starting September 15.
“(If you don’t know Butch, he’s an experienced and energetic instructor. Go to www.lmhs.org to watch him on TV.) Whether you want to build better relationships with your Amish neighbors, are getting in touch with your Lutheran or Reformed heritage, or enjoy the novelty of speaking an obscure language, you will be impressed by how much you can learn in ten weeks,” Lowell wrote.
Recommended web post: A Gannett columnist credits the York Daily Record for its original headline on the day after the 911 attacks, 10 years ago: Sept. 11 attacks changed American culture
Forum of the day: Exchangers are discussing York’s famous music groups.