Former York countian’s Web site nearing 100 posts on old teen hangout Shady Dell
Downtown York, as it looked during the heyday of the southside Shady Dell – and counterpart White Oak Park on the northside – in the 1960s. (See photo of The Dell below.) The 1960s was a bustling time for the hangouts – and York’s downtown. For more about York in the early 1960s and before, check out: Bustling downtown. For more about the Dell, see below. The photographer appears to have been standing high up in the Futer Bros. building, across the square. Also of interest: 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 Del Knight, e-mailed to note that his Web site “Shady Dell Music & Memories” is packed with stories and information about the southside York teen hangout.
And it will celebrate its first birthday next month.
This site lead-in summarizes how Anderson, who grew up in York County, is populating the site:
This photo is featured on the site “Shady Dell Music & Memories.” The privately owned property is along Starcross Road in Spring Garden and has been for sale.
A lighthearted and loving look back at the glory days of the Shady Dell, the historic haven for teenagers in York, PA, and the magnanimous couple that created it, the late John & Helen Ettline.
Here are excepts of Tom Anderson’s e-mail:
By July 20th, I will have published more than 100 articles about the Shady Dell, its long-time owners and operators John and Helen Ettline, the music of the Dell’s golden era, and about my experiences growing up in York County during the 1950s and 1960s. Over the past twelve months I have learned much more about the Dell and the Ettlines than I ever knew before. With the generous help of the Ettline family, I have gathered many interesting facts and stories to share with my readers. In addition to the Ettlines, there are other people that I wish to acknowledge. I would like to thank Dell owner Toni Deroche and her family for their enormous contributions. The Deroches have provided me with Dell news updates, an abundance of factual and anecdotal information, and a stunning series of exclusive photographs of the Dell as it looks in the new millennium.
Tom Anderson has enough fresh material to the site operating through the end of 2010.
Here’s hoping it’s going strong at 2020.
Additional posts on White Oak Park or the Shady Dell:
–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 .
