Remember the Elks Monument in Penn Park, York, Pa.?
This Penn Park photograph comes from the Earl Shaffer collection, courtesy of the West Manchester Township Historical Society. Wonder if the Elk, sans head or not, is around somewhere? Also of interest: West Manchester book contains valuable gold coins and A West Manchester village center that up and moved and Hidden Loucks School reflects past way of York County life.
Earl Shaffer, the famed Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, also left a legacy of glass plate negatives.
Mel Miller from the West Manchester Township Historical Society e-mailed this description: …
“The house to the left is 306 South Water Street (Pershing Avenue). The house on the right between the rocks and the utility pole is the Barnett Bobb log house on the northeast corner of South Pershing Avenue and West College Avenue. Constructed in 1812, it was relocated in 1968 to its present location behind the Gates House/Plough Tavern. I would date the picture C1901.
“From the time of the Civil War until 1890, the Public Common was a neglected spot. In fact the southern part of it became a dumping ground for refuse. After the incorporation of the City of York, enterprising people saw the necessity of turning these fourteen acres into a park for the rapidly growing population. In 1890, A.B. Farquhar gave the sum of $1,400 for improving the grounds. Since the land had been given to the Borough of York by the heirs of William Penn, this public resort was named Penn Park. Shortly after the erection and dedication of the Solders and Sailors Monument June 15, 1898, the Order of Elks erected a rockery at a cost of $2,200. Vandals beheaded the elk in 1987, and, after receiving an estimate of $18,000 to repair it, the City of York decided to remove it.”
