York County’s rail trail spawns intriguing tales
The linkup of the county rail trail with York is only about seven years old, but already there’s a lot to talk about concerning the 20-plus-mile-long path through the heart of York County. http://ycwebserver.york-county.org/Parks/RailTrail.htm
Here’s some miscellaneous meanderings that might intrigue:
— Users seeking to get on the trail from Dallastown/Red Lion and other points east should try the somewhat secluded, but beautiful Glatfelter’s Station parking area.
This site is historic because it’s near where the now-massive Glattfelder clan first settled in York County in 1747. http://www.glattfelder.org It’s closer for motorists coming from many points east than the Seven Valleys and Hanover Junction parking lots, and it’s within a couple of miles from Howard Tunnel, the old train tunnel that’s a must-see site on the trail. It’s also within three miles of another must-see site — the Hanover Junction station. And in between, these two sites, there’s the welcome Serenity Station stop for a sandwich and root beer.
— Speaking of the tunnel, it’s worth another visit if you were one of those folks, like myself, who were jolted in the trail’s early years when kids jumped screaming out of the alcove in the tunnel’s middle… .
The recessed area was originally intended to give an outlet for pedestrians to get out of the way of oncoming trains. In recent years, it has been gated to keep hiders from scaring users.
— And speaking of the Hanover Junction station, trail users at one time could purchase items at a small gift shop there. Last time I visited, the shop was gone.
No problem with that. I was amazed during several visits a few years ago to see that most Civil War-related memorabilia sold was linked to the Confederates, trinkets adorned with flags and all. Who were the good guys and who were the bad guys on June 27, 1863? The guys in gray — the mounted White’s Comanches — damaged the station and telegraph lines that day.
Simply put, White’s men weren’t nice guys. They were scary, seasoned killers.
Indeed, America’s veneration of rebel generals and troops is inexplicable.
Anyway, today, Hanover Junction station serves as a small museum, very well done.
Next post: It’s been 10 years since a runaway train made its spooky trip past that same train station.
