Felton, the town that Ma & Pa built: The boroughs of York County series, No. 1
Felton Station Mill was an important agribusiness in the southeastern York County, Pa., borough of Felton, and the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad helped farmers get produce to market. Also of interest: See this birds-eye view of Felton and Felton landmark: ‘The mill at one time was gossip central’ and Old Ma & Pa Railroad trestle may again carry passengers – on bicycles – some day.
First in a series of occasional posts on York County’s 36 boroughs … .
The Ma & Pa Railroad put Felton on the map.
Felton Station was a major stop between Muddy Creek Forks and Red Lion on the winding railroad that connected York and Baltimore. In addition to the railroad, the borough benefited from its location near two streams: Muddy Creek Forks and Pine Run.
Formed from: Chanceford, North Hopewell and Windsor townships.
Origin of its name: It comes from a man affiliated with a group of financiers who planned the Ma & Pa Railroad, originally the York and Peach Bottom Railway.
In the news: Felton was in the news just this week when a raging fire took out three row homes, displacing 9 people. Earlier in the year, owners said its Civil War-era mill was coming down… .
The thing that strikes you about Felton: George Prowell wrote about the town in 1907: “The Borough of Felton lies in a beautiful little valley, along the upper waters of Muddy Creek.” Today, the borough’s location remains beautiful and bucolic, essentially the same as 100 years ago when Prowell was writing.
Population in 2000 – 450. (York County census numbers.)
Size in square miles: .7 (York County population size.)
Founded: May 8, 1899 (York County founding dates.)
Early business: Thomas G. Cross began mercantile business in about 1850.
Assessment of Felton in 1999, on its anniversary: The Rev. Daniel Donmoyer: “…(T)he heart of Felton beats strong because there are real people here, looking for each other, and looking for each other as life moves on.”
To learn more: Booklet – “Centennial Celebration, 1899-1999, Felton, Pennsylvania.”
Archives:
– All York Town Square posts from the start. (Key word search by using “find” on browser.)
– Of course, you can always search for York Town Square post on Google.
Sources: George Prowell’s “History of York County,” “Gazeteer of York and Adams Counties”
