York Town Square

Also below: Check out Fissel’s one-room school

Then & Now: Students are silhouetted against pictures of Civil War-era residents at the York County Heritage Trust as Justine Landis, right, describes the people of York from that period. People looking to understand their community to serve it better often avail themselves of programs and exhibits at the Trust and numerous other local historical groups dotting York/Adams. (See separate educational iconic photo below.) Background posts: Mayor of York, Pa.: ‘We are no longer unprotected’ – 15/31 iconic photos, Interesting Web site dedicated to American country schools and Looking for a local history research topic?

Two more photos in York Town Square’s series of iconic images – images that tell a story about York County and its history:

The Heritage Trust’s presentation on the Civil War, particularly prominent blacks of that period, combines two overlooked subjects in the study of York County’s past.
Until recently, York County’s Civil War accomplishments have been overshadowed in the York-area by the American Revolution and World War II. The Heritage Trust’s Civil War exhibit erected about five years ago helped interpret the war – both York’s surrender and its moments of indisputable achievements. And black people, often overlooked in past interpretations of York County history, appear here as part of the community that persevered through a long war.
For a virtual tour of the York County Heritage Trust’s permanent Civil War exhibit, see Civil War comes to York County.
And another iconic photo on a different topic:

The J. David Allen & Son photograph shows the differences a century makes in school construction and educational opportunities. It pits a one-room school in southern York County, complete with outhouse, against the sprawling BASCO Associates’-designed Susquehannock Junior/Senior High School, background. The old building is Fissel’s school, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Posts in this series:
– 400 years ago, John Smith explored Chesapeake Bay – 1/31 iconic images
– Declaration signer James Smith tops York County patriot list – 2/31 iconic images
– Going to market a longtime York County pastime – 3/31 iconic images
– William C. Goodridge: From slavery to success story – 4/31 iconic images

– Rebs’ short York visit creates long memories – 5/31 iconic images
–Artist Horace Bonham captured everyday life – 6/31 iconic images
–York County farm vs. factory tension relieved in overnight raid – 7/31 iconic images
– York County stood firmly behind Allies on all fronts in WW II – 8/31 iconic images
– Downtown thrived in post-WW II York – 9/31 iconic images
– After WWII success, Farquhar sells assets to out-of-town outfit – 10/31 iconic images.
– Sears, York County Shopping Center in the middle of things – 11/31 iconic images
– Three Mile Island emergency indelibly written into memories – 12/2 iconic images.
– People of varying religious groups founded York County – 13/31 iconic images
– President Reagan: ‘Harley is back and standing tall’ – 14/31 iconic images
– York’s mayor: ‘We are no longer unprotected’ – 15/31 iconic images
– Grange Hall represented past way of York County life – 16/31 iconic images.
– York County Honors Choir product of proud moment – 17/31 iconic images.
– Meeting of riot victims brought hope for racial accord – 18/31 iconic images.
– Property rights foundational factor in Lauxmont dispute – 19/31 iconic images.
– New baseball diamond serves as York cornerstone – 20/31 iconic images
– Season 2 of York’s campaign to come back – 21-23 of 31 iconic images
– York on knees as its men storm Normandy beaches – 24-25 of 31 iconic images
– One image illustrates two long-neglected subjects in York area – 26-27 of 31 iconic images
– Images explain changes in York County factories, farms – 28-29 of 31 iconic images
York County still home to unvarnished beauty – 30/31 iconic images
Latinos most recent migrant group to call York County home – 31/31 iconic images

To see the full series of iconic photos in a special York Daily Record/Sunday News publication, click here.