- Tragedy at Codorus Creek: Man drowns in sewage in Depression-era York County
The Great Depression hit York County hard. One man died by drowning in sewage in Codorus Creek suicide.
- Gettysburg’s George Spangler Farm: Stories of the wounded and dying
About the families of those who suffered at the George Spangler Farm after the Battle of Gettysburg and their families back. And a look at the Spangler family, descendants of the namesake farm.
- York-born Arthur Evans, gay rights advocate, enjoyed banquet of life
Arthur Evans, center in this 1970 picture, born in York, was known nationally as a human rights pioneer, author and activist. Yet, few in York County have heard of his life and times.
- York stands alone in riding through Confederate lines to surrender in Civil War
Civil War historian Scott Mingus found that York’s leaders stand alone in riding through Confederate lines to surrender the town in late-June 1863. Here, owner Ray Langeheine stands outside the farmhouse in Farmers where the surrender took place.
- In York, rebels demand mounds of dollars, food, supplies. Who paid? Who didn’t?
Confederate Gen. John B. Gordon accepted York’s surrender. Once in town, his commander, Jubal Early issued a heavy requisition on York.
- Thomas Jefferson slept here: Hanover’s Sign of the Horse Tavern
Thomas Jefferson’s trip through York County on his way to writing the Declaration of Independence is a moment to remember. He passed through the county on his way back home from Philadelphia, too.
- A foul canal’s restoration: Codorus Greenway designed to turn creek into park
Local efforts are underway to right York County’s historical wrongs by cleaning up Codorus Creek, transforming it from ‘Inky Stinky’ into an accessible, healthy, and beautiful greenway.
- When Latinos came to York County: They brought their own cooks
Landmarks from York’s Latino history, all one on place: A mural depicts the Latino story in a block named for pioneers Edwin and Delma Rivera. Behind the mural, the second standalone Spanish American Center stands, now a bilingual church. In the background, the two-story white building served as the center for the Latino community in 2008 and for about a decade afterward. All these landmarks stand in and around the South Queen Street neighborhoods where early Latinos settled in York.
- York’s Continental Square: Makeover to invite folks to come there and stay a while
York’s Continental Square, long a hub and gathering space, is getting a makeover.
- Renowned author Rita Mae Brown remembers York County in her writings and visits
When Camp Security needed to raise funds several years ago, leaders turned to renowned author Rita Mae Brown to return to York County, where she spent her early years.
- Hometown History, Season 4: Jamie and Domi’s YoCo Backstory
Historian Jamie Noerpel & Archivist Domi Miller are conversational. They’re fun. They’re passionate about local history. Without flinching, they take on challenging stories about York County’s past. Their base is the northeastern York County village of Newberrytown. That’s where they live. And they move to sites around YoCo to talk about their native county. They are the co-hosts of Hometown History.
- Slavery happened in York County, too
Longtime York County families might have ancestors who enslaved Black people. Some of those families who held people in bondage are buried in Bupp’s Church Cemetery in Springfield Township, as is the case in scores of cemeteries in the county. Generally, those who were enslaved and their descendants were buried in all-Black cemeteries spread throughout the county.
- How one meeting cut through years of York County police dissension
It only took one remark to break the long-held tension between York County police and the Black community, and it was one based in humility.
- Fighting drought in York County: Hire a rainmaker or dig a lake
In a season of dry weather, this land bridge – likely and old road – emerges from the depths of Lake Marburg at Codorus State Park in southwestern York County.
- Creatives & recreationists: Galleries & outdoors replacing old brick factories
The old Keystone Color Works combines the ideas of creatives – a past maker of dyes for wallpaper – and recreationists – the rail trail is next door – that are helping to fuel York County’s economy.
- Restorations line up with anniversaries: York County’s historical & cultural renaissance
One of many cultural or historical restoration projects or new builds going up around York County: When the King Family of King’s Mill fame built this house, it was known as the Mansion House. Later, it became Schmidt & Ault’s mill offices. Today, it’s part of York College’s Knowledge Park and it’s known as the Diehl House at Schmidt & Ault.
- Beleaguered Congress in York: ‘I will not quit my post’
Continental Congress experienced highs, lows and the rigors of life on a frontier when they made York the national capital for nine months in 1777-78.
- York County’s Surrender House: A quiet farmhouse in the village of Farmers
This Paradise Township farmhouse emerged from obscurity for a moment eight score years ago for a short day that merits a long chapter in York County’s story.
- A walk to wonder: Taking in Penn Street’s challenges and promise
In the mid-1700s, the neighborhood west of the Codorus was tagged Bottstown. Mr. Bott wanted his town to compete with York, over there to the east. But York got the head start, annexed Bott’s town in the 1880s and, over time, drew much of the city’s investment. Now there’s a plan that features the best things about Penn Street, an important neighborhoods on the Codorus’ west bank.
- Civil War religious objectors faced a ‘crisis of conscience’
Four generations of the Stayer family, descendants of Adam Stayer, conscientious objectors in the Civil War.
- Their segregated sanctuary prospered – and then disappeared
People escaping bondage could stand on Yellow Hill and gaze across the Mason-Dixon Line, a mere 20 miles away, and whisper to themselves “I’m free.” A form of self-imposed, collective emancipation.
- Courthouses indicate what York County likes
York County Courthouse scorecard: Two demolished. One almost knocked down and then expanded – it would have been replaced with the structure in this rendering. One bland courthouse built.
- Tough work for mother: Raising 12 kids on a York County farm
York County used to be covered in farmland. Now, those agricultural acres are shrinking. Here is a story of one man’s life and the tough mother who raised him and his 11 siblings.
- Delta & its region: Slate roofs & slate foundations
These craftsmen show how to split slate quarried from a long ridge in the Delta-Peach Bottom region of York County.
- Native Lands: Short peaceful path crosses longtime place of conflict
This drawing, from a 1720 Herman Moll map, shows the Susquehannock village in York County located in what is today’s Native Lands County Park.
- When teacher James L. Smallwood came to York County
In 1931, a segregated Black school was named in honor of longtime York educator.
- Hometown History, Season 3: Jamie and Domi’s YoCo Backstory
The next episode of Hometown History’s Season 3 will focus on York County’s agricultural past.
- Montez Parker: Seeks equality as new normal in hometown of York
Rhoda Hawkins is one of many people remembered as important in the lives of Codorus Street residents. She operated a shop on Codorus Street.
- WWII vet moved from York City Cemetery to Indiantown Gap
William Shelton, a WWII veteran, was interred in York’s City Cemetery because he could not afford a proper burial. He was moved to Indiantown Gap in 1985 with full military honors.
- Gettysburg rail station hosted Lincoln’s coming and going
P.S. Weaver, a Hanover photographer, captured this scene of the exhumation of the bodies of Union soldiers who died in the Battle of Hanover. This scene comes from the German Reformed Church’s cemetery. The worker in the vest is presumed to be freedman Basil Biggs, a noted Adams County veterinarian.
- Black & Latino history studies: Logjam breaks in York County
From left, Bobby Simpson. Ray Crenshaw and Dan Elby – three builders of Crispus Attucks Community Center, a York organization that is in the “character-building” business.
- DIY work in old York cemeteries, unsung memorials and weedy lots
See a community need? Consider doing it yourself as Tom Davidson is doing in claiming the iconic Modernaire Motel sign for display in York County Agricultural and Industrial Museum in York.
- Feuding over a baby’s death: When people can’t afford a gravedigger
When Margaret Williams died – an infant from a poor family – no one was there at York’s potter’s field to dig her grave. A dispute erupted between the undertaker and the gravedigger.
- Florence Gipe viewed as ‘brilliant and strict with new ideas’
Florence Gipe made a mark locally, moved to Maryland where she helped build nursing education nationally and returned to her home county to continue her contributions.
- York in 1786: A riot to reclaim Jacob Bixler’s cow
After a series of arsons by York’s Black population reportedly in protest of a sentence of a Black woman, local authorities place restrictions on the travel of York’s Black population. The document shows how they communicated those restrictions.
- Wrightsville: One town, Three Civil War heroes
The Civil War came to York County, evoking wrenching decisions. Moments to stand or cave. Wrightsville was home to at least 3 heroic moments.
- York’s Ladies Aid Society: Formed to take on crisis in war
Trained as a teacher, York’s Mary Cadwell Fisher became a skilled nurse amid immense medical needs in the Civil War.
- Graveyard at York’s First Presbyterian: ‘When the very stones cry out’
In 1965, the Black congregation at Faith Presbyterian Church in York, seen here with its Community House, merged with white parishioners at nearby First Presbyterian Church.
- St. Paul (Lebanon) Lutheran Church: Faith and resiliency for 200+ years
A study of St. Paul (Lebanon) Lutheran Church in the Felton area shows a resilience that has sustained the congregation for more than 200 years.
- Hanover & York: A new start after centuries of disunion?
The Adams County Arts Council unveiled a popup exhibit featuring the Ukrainian symbol, the sunflower.
- Russian heritage infused in Crostwater Distillery
Victoria Close used to bullied for being a “commie.” Now, she’s a successful business owner. All because we learned how to let go of stereotypes.
- Dr. Robert L. Ellis delivers York County’s first blood transfusions
Dr. Ellis saved the life of a woman in labor by successfully administering the first blood transfusion in York County. That transfusion procedure represented a pivotal moment in county medical history.
- Unsung York County Civil War sites to visit
Some Civil War sites in York County are well known, but others are in remote areas and take legwork to find. This Paradise Township site, a Jacob Altland farmhouse was the site of the surrender of York to the Confederates in late-June 1863.
- Codorus Creek: Millers rush to court to stake liquid gold claims
Kraft Mill was one of three southwestern York County mills involved in a water rights fight with a water company in 1910.
- Hometown History, Season 2: Jamie and Domi’s YoCo backstory
Fundraising is underway to place a monument on an otherwise unmarked York City Cemetery, York-area’s potter’s field.
- Horn Farm: This old York County place fights adversity
The story of Hellam Township’s Horn Farm reflects the high and low points that are part of farming.
- Daisy Myers: ‘Sticks ‘n Stones … but words will never harm you’
When the Myers family moved to Levittown in 1957, they faced hostility in this all-white community. Later, the Myerses were welcomed in York.
- York College professor fishes for toxins
Calling attention to YoCo’s water pollution through research and activism.
- York County one-room schools: When students drank water from the same ladle
Public education in York County mostly took place in more than 350 one-room schools between the 1834 and post-World War II.
- The influential artwork of Lorann Jacobs
Creating bronze sculptures for public works used to be a space for mostly men. Now, women like Lorann Jacobs have entered the industry, and they’re making bold statements with their art.
- Preserving, documenting, demolishing York County
In the past 10 years, three Stewartstown-area structures,faced uncertain futures. One was saved. The other two were demolished. But the stories of all three teach lessons.
- Mashing the Johnny Appleseed Legend
The legend of Johnny Appleseed oversimplifies the complexities of apple cultivation. One Adams County family explains all that goes into growing that delicious red fruit.
- Drumming: It used to be prohibited for Native Americans, now it’s celebrated
Between 1879 and 1918, thousands of Native American children were forced to abandon their cultural practices. Now, Indian Steps Museum will honor these traditions at their annual Pow Wow festival.
- Goodridge House: Early photography, Underground Railroad intersect here
Glenalvin Goodridge began the family photography business in 1847 and his brothers, William O. and Wallace, followed. The Goodridge brothers operated the business for 75 years, for most of that time in East Saginaw, Mich.
- Where York’s Philadelphia & Newberry streets meet
Since its beginning, York County has served as a crossroads. Settlers would pass through here to go to all points of the compass. Centre Square, later Continental Square, illustrated here, was the epicenter of pioneers seeking their fortune. Yet, other intersections have been the scenes of activity, We’re exploring those here.
- Hometown History, Season 1: Jamie and Domi’s YoCo backstory
Historian Jamie Kinsley and archivist Domi Miller explore York County people, places and issues in this new video series: ‘Hometown History.’
- “Access to Justice”: The mantra of liberty for the Golden Venture
When the Golden Venture ship struck the coast, close to 300 Chinese jumped to reach the American shore. 55 of those immigrants were detained at York County Prison for four years – with no charges filed.
- Continental Square: It’s late June so prepare for a big moment
June in York’s square: You can almost predict that pivotal events will happen where Market and George streets cross. This replica courthouse stands today a couple of blocks west of the original York County Court House, where big stuff, indeed, did happen.
- York College: First a fence and then a hand across it
For some, the fence erected at York College in 2008 represented a dated idea of separation. The college has since reached across the fence into the downtown with at least two projects.
- YDR in York County: Unsung owner saved newspaper
When Jimmy D. Scoggins purchased the York Daily Record in 1973, he faced a problem: How do you produce a modern newspaper in a turn-of-the-century building?
- East Market parking garage: It has a York story to tell
The East Market parking garage was built to combat retail loss to York-area suburban centers. It promised the same convenience and safety.
- Sears in York County, Pa: How it influenced a community
Sears’opened in 1928, and this store – its second – would serve as its longtime downtown home. Sears would operate at two other locations in its 90-year run in York.
- A soldier’s escape: Healing PTSD in nature
After returning from WWII, Earl Shaffer struggled with depression. He found solace hiking, becoming the first person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.
- Highpoint: Big challenges demand bold actions
Construction scars on Highpoint are still visible, reminders that big challenges – preservation of York County’s sense of place – often demand bold actions.
- Elmwood Mansion: Witnessing constant change
A person peering through those familiar Elmwood pillars in the past 165 years would have seen an evolving York County. This picture shows the Elmwood farmhouse before it was moved in 1905.
- Urban farming: Thriving agriculture in the city
Even though the census data may miss them, many Hispanics farm in York. This urban farm provides fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables to inner-city residents.
- Rural Newberry Township: Freedom seeker shot at Underground Railroad station
Joseph Garretson’s Northern York County home is important to the county’s Underground Railroad story. It was the site of the first known shooting of a freedom seeker in the county.
- For 25 years, NENA’s grassroots work has strengthened York’s neighborhoods
Grassroots organizations like NENA gain momentum because they are directly connected with the people.
- Parkway Homes: Despite hardships, generations of leaders have emerged
Leaders have emerged from the Parkway Homes and other public and affordable housing in York County for years. Retired WGAL anchor Ron Martin is one of the achievers who grew up in Parkway.
- Bond building: When badly needed, York shone here
This building, York’s Bond building, has seen many uses. But in a little over a week in April 1970, this East King Street building hosted an event that would influence York for decades.
- 95 acres in Dover: Land ethics in play on this farm
With more and more development, the importance for land preservation and agriculture is on the rise.
- Bermudian Valley: Seeking peace in the York County’s cloister, Part II
In the 1700s, Washington Township’s Bermudian Valley hosted a settlement with ties to the Ephrata Cloister. A cemetery reminds us of this community.
- The Gazette and Daily: Under siege in the 1960s, York newspaper starts from square one
Under siege in the 1960s, The Gazette and Daily in York started from square one with a front page editorial. The newspaper drew the wrath of Republicans when it refused to accept advertising from GOP presidential candidate Barry Goldwater.
- York County’s cloister: Seeking peace in the Bermudian Valley
In the 1700s, Washington Township’s Bermudian Valley hosted a settlement with ties to the Ephrata Cloister.
- Crispus Attucks Community Center: A ‘character building’ organization
Community leader Dr. George Bowles helped in the formation of the Crispus Attucks Community Center in 1931
- A hidden space: The potter’s field in North York
Over 600 people are buried in the City Cemetery located in North York. However, there are no headstones for this potter’s field. Instead, they rest in nameless graves, forgotten yet together.
- Significant York landmarks: Victim to wrecking ball in 1950s-1970s
York’s City Market, demolished in 1963, was the most architecturally significant building to come down in the city in the 1950s to 1970s era.
- Faith Presbyterian Church: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. urged merger
Congregants, past and present, gathered in 2015 for the 50th anniversary of the merger of Faith Presbyterian Church in York with First Presbyterian Church.
- Carlisle Livestock Auction: A farming chapter ends
The Carlisle Livestock Market has sold its last chicken. For those still involved in agriculture, this will mean a change in how they do business.
- Gettysburg’s Spangler Farm: Field hospital testifies to battle’s human cost
The Spangler Farm, a restored Civil War field hospital, testifies to the horrors of the Battle of Gettysburg.
- Quilting as a symbol of independence
Jane Keenheel, born into slavery, stitched a quilt made from salesman suit swatches. Her legacy of resourcefulness inspires others today in the textile industry.
- Controversial York mayor’s East Princess Street business: Latino advocates now call it home
When Jose Hernandez and his wife, Gloria, arrived in York in 1958, they became pioneers in York County’s Latino community.
- Dover Area School District: ID movement reached high water mark in York County
The Eagle, Dover Area School District’s mascot stands guard outside the former high school, where 9th-grade students were read a description of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution in science classrooms.
- Farming by day, Underground Railroad by night
The Baptiste farm in Newberry Township served as an Underground Railroad stop, assisting freedom seekers in their journey to the north.
- House with the garden wall: Landmark home of this leading woman among York women
This home of Dempwolf design was the longtime home of York County activist Anna Dill Gamble.
- The Green Book: Struggling to find a place to stay while on family vacation
During the Jim Crow era of segregation, Black families experienced trouble finding places to stay while traveling. Hotels, departments stores, drugstores, night clubs, gas stations, inns, restaurants, and trailers refused service, simply because of the color of their skin.
- South of Shrewsbury: Berry Underground Railroad house
Today, Interstate 83 passes over this Underground Railroad site. The site has changed from a stop over the UGRR to a place under an overground expressway.
- York’s Centre Square Courthouse
In 1836, York residents experienced a rare event: A woman, Frances Wright, made a public presentation.
- Firefighters Memorial Garden
A garden outside of the old Weaver Organ and Piano building memorializes two fallen firefighters who lost their lives in 2018.
- The Brownstone: Owner built community in York
The David E. Small Post 369, a York organization of Black veterans, was named after a white man who dedicated himself to helping the community.
- A woman with one arm: How the Wallace sisters successfully ran their grist mill, despite a disability
Two female entrepreneurs, Mary and Eleanor Wallace, defied gender norms by operating a worthy business, even with one arm.
- Witnessing York: Introducing new digital site
York’s Penn Park served as a starting point for freedmen and later became a gathering place for civil rights vigils and protests.
- Healing President Lincoln: The curious case of William Henry Johnson
York’s Penn Park served as a starting point for freedmen and later became a gathering place for civil rights vigils and protests.
- Northwestern York County: Lynching, Civil War era
In the days following the Civil War’s Battle of Gettysburg, a violent moment was the talk of farmhouses around Warrington Township in northern York County.
- Penn Park: A place for new beginnings
York’s Penn Park served as a starting point for freedmen and later became a gathering place for civil rights vigils and protests.
- 116 E. King St.: The Parliament at center of visits that probe York’s story
Two visitors sought to add to York residents’ understanding about their home county.
- Prigg v. Pennsylvania: Quiet site for high court case
A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case surrounding freedom happened right here in York County.
- Hanover Square: Two nights of unrest
Racial confrontation in the square prompted tolerance reform.
- Lebanon Cemetery: North York’s historically black cemetery
Locals are working to uncover the stories behind the people buried at this resting place.
- Mount Pisgah Cemetery: Marker honors Susquehanna bridge defender
In Mount Pigsah Cemetery, a quiet, hillside resting place, rests the bodies of African Americans and Native Americans.