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Property rights foundational factor in Lauxmont dispute – 19/31 iconic photos

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Peaceful Lauxmont, site of much controversy, overlooks the Susquehanna. This photograph came from the vantage point of the equally controversial Highpoint. Both prime patches of real estate were part of York Safe & Lock owner S. Forry Laucks’ country home. Background posts: Lauxmont breeds queries of great import – or little, Forry Laucks, Lauxmont sparked debates and York Safe & Lock faltered after owner’s death.

Continuing the series of telling York County, Pa.’s, history through images: … .


In clear view: The plan to convert the privately owned but financially beleaguered Lauxmont Farms, overlooking the Susquehanna River, into a county park attracted months of controversy and helped unseat two county commissioners in 2007. Separate controversy surrounded the nearby Highpoint.
Behind the scene: Lauxmont is one of the largest farms remaining in York County. The land has attracted a two-pronged, interlocking debate. A high view of private property rights runs deep in York County’s soil, stemming from the days of heavy government taxation of whiskey and even the number of window panes on houses. And the agrarianism vs. industrialization debate that started in the 1800s is at play over this most desirable piece of unbroken farmland left in a county suffering from sprawl.
Further details: For a summary of the Lauxmont dispute, visit http://ydr.inyork.com//ci_4787901
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

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The view from Highpoint.