York Town Square

Graffiti on wall of the Shady Dell barn is frozen in time, 20 years after the Shady Dell, a south-end York, Pa., teen hangout closed its doors. Fortunately, memories of the Dell remain fresh via former Dell Rat Tom Anderson’s website: Shady Dell Music & Memories. Also of interest: Part I: Shady Del Knight in worldwide search of honorary Shady Dell rats linked to old York, Pa., teen hangout and Part II: Shady Del Knight in worldwide search and York’s Shady Dell for sale: ‘People don’t like to see their past vanish’ and York-area full of memory-spawning landmarks and Interstate lined out Melvin’s swan song.
Tom Anderson, aka Shady Dell Knight, always brings information about the Shady Dell that drives you back in time, whether you ever hung out there or not.
Here’s his third-year report about his blog, the Dell, music and the hangout’s longtime operators, John and Helen Ettline: … .

Empty nest Dell house looking from rear of house (the snack bar area) toward the front.

“The past year has been exciting and rewarding. The roster of followers has grown by leaps and bounds and now includes honorary Dell rats of all ages in England, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, India, Australia, Brazil, Canada and across the USA.
“A major part of the blog’s success has been the interaction and participation of the readers. Many have submitted lists of their favorite songs along with the memories linked to them. Three original Dell rats of the 1960s have become regular contributors of songs and stories. The three, Jerre Slaybaugh, Ron Shearer and Greg Gulden, warmed hearts around the world when they wrote testimonials about Helen Ettline for my Mother’s Day post and for John Ettline for my Father’s Day post.
Earlier this year owner Toni Deroche donated exclusive photos of the Dell as no Dell rat had ever seen it – the way it looked in the 1920s when it was built – completely cleaned out and empty. (See photos accompanying this post.)
In the months since Toni’s last update workers have been putting the finishing touches on interior renovations, upgrading the plumbing, installing drywall, flooring, carpeting, tile, light fixtures and new paint. The 87 year old three story brick structure that once served as a restaurant, ice cream parlor and bakery is being modernized and transformed into an idyllic residential dwelling, thereby enhancing its resale value. Upon completion of the work Toni Deroche will once again drop in as my guest blogger, take readers on a virtual tour, and unveil the latest exclusive pictures of the brand new Shady Dell.
As Shady Dell Music & Memories moves into its fourth year I will be presenting my exclusive interview with surviving members of the Soul Clinic, the well known York based R&B band of the 1960s that drew members from other notable local bands, released a record, and shared a stage with many of the top acts in soul and rock music. Year four promises to be another great one filled with fun and surprises, laughter and learning, music and memories.

Empty nest Dell house looking from front of house toward the rear. These empty rooms once housed the restaurant booths (foreground) and the snack bar (background).
Additional posts on the Shady Dell or White Oak Park (The Dell’s northside counterpart) or the Shady Dell:
Shady Del Knight unmasked: Rat pack leader keeps alive memories of old south York, Pa., teen hangout
–Just try to resist this memory-tugging photo of White Oak Park.
–Stadium will be site of The Oaks music reunion
–Wanted: Old photos of teen hangout.
–Memorabilia from ‘the Oaks’ hard to come by.
–Memories of The Oaks pile up.
–Memories of The Oaks pile up – Part II.
–The Dell: ‘It was like family’.
–White Oak Park welcomed Blaw-Knox workers .
– Shady Dell was home away from home for many York County teens in ’60s.
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. For example, if you search for yorktownsquare and Shady Dell, you get this.