Recently in American Revolution Category

Jean Bonnet Tavern stands along the Lincoln Highway, west of Bedford in Napier Township, Bedford County. The attractive stone landmark stood on the site since before the American Revolution. The National Register of Historic Places site was named after a 18th-century owner. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.) Also of interest: Who were York County's most influential citizens? and This working list details presidential visits to York and Adams counties and With all those stills, the York County hillbillies?.

This blog often teases over the fact that all roads lead to York, Pa. - that there's a York County link to everything.

The theory was tested in a recent visit, which included a wonderful dinner, at Jean Bonnet's Tavern in Bedford County, two hours from York County.

The restaurant/inn's history justifiably makes much of farmers meeting on its grounds in the 1790s to protest the federal government's Whiskey Tax. Then troops, sent by U.S. President George Washington, camped there on their way to quell the rebellion in western Pennsylvania... .

This cartoon, found in Jim Lewin and P.J. Huff's book, "Lines of Contention: Political Cartoons of the Civil War," is indicative of the regular scrutiny Abraham Lincoln and his polices drew from his political opponents. For example, The York (Pa.) Gazette, a Democratic weekly newspaper was a shrill opponent of the Republican president. Also of interest: Imposing Thanksgiving statues greet York Post Office users and Did York's Thanksgiving proclamation indeed create America's first Thanksgiving? and Pre-World War II Thanksgiving holds lessons for York countians today.

History buffs in York County - and there are many of them - often associate Thanksgiving with the American Revolution. (See Thanksgiving and war below.)

But there's a local historical angle to Thanksgiving and the Civil War, particularly York County residents' disappointingly low view of Abraham Lincoln's justified, high-minded Thanksgiving proclamations.

All this is rolled into the following piece, which I wrote and appears as today's York Daily Record/Sunday News editoria, headlined "A bi-partisan Thanksgiving"... .

York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News photographer Jason Plotkin captures workers as they recently put up metal poles to hold a new plywood extension atop Holtwood Dam spanning the Susquehanna River. The work is designed to increase the hydropower capacity at the dam, one of four across the Susquehanna in and around York County. Rocks often covered with water (see photo below) are exposed as part of the work on the dam linking York and Lancaster counties. Also of interest: Who was Norman Wood (of bridge fame)? and Holtwood Dam thrust into the news once again and Where exactly is the Susquehanna River's Holtwood Dam?.

The Susquehanna River has been in the news for years for a variety of serious reasons.

The Continental Congress sweated a raiding party of British horsemen so seriously that they measured the river's depth along its length in an attempt to figure where any attack would come from. That was during the Revolutionary War when the river separated York County-based delegates from the redcoats in Philadelphia. In the Civil War, the Union army burned the bridge between Wrightsville and Columbia to keep the invading Confederates from crossing.

Rafts of logs tied together swept down the river during high water on their way to market in the Chesapeake Bay.

High water swept away bridges and low water made steamboat navigation difficult.

A canal was dug to make the river valley navigable, but the dams needed to feed water to the ditch stopped shad migration.

All that is serious and place the river as a key part of regional history.

But the fun stuff is just as interesting, however improbable.

Two examples:

The Cookes house, one of York County's oldest structures, is shown in a photograph from about 1890 to 1900. New owner Michael Helfrich is laboring to learn more about the history of the historic house, on the bank of the Codorus Creek in York City. Also of interest: Two hundred years after Thomas Paine's death, the pamphleteer is due a marker in York and Worker saved key historical surveys from Glatfelter pulping machine and York's housing stock not that revolutionary.

A major mystery surrounds the Cookes House, the 1761 stone structure that is easily overlooked to the rear of Martin Luther King Jr. Park in the western part of York.

Did Thomas Paine live and work there when the Continental Congress met in York in 1777-78? ... .

Digging to find evidence of Revolutionary War prisoner-of-war Camp Security began near the Schultz House in Springettsbury Township, Pa., and continued outward. (See additional photo by the York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News below.) Also of interest: Camp Security memories tucked inside memoir and Story revives memories of oft-forgotten York County POW camp in World War II and York-area developer: 'I think we have gone way above and beyond to preserve Camp Security'

Digging for Camp Security artifacts on the grounds of Springettsbury Township's Schultz house will soon conclude.

The verdict thus far: No remnants of Camp Security.

But at least that dig apparently will allow dig overseers to rule out the acreage surrounding the Schultz House as part of Camp Security's primary footprint... .

In this York (Pa.) Daily Record file photo from 2005, June Grove is seen in Brogue's St. Luke Cemetery. Her ancestors are buried there along with Revolutionary War veterans George Keener, 1757-1841, John Stermer, 1760-1855, Henry Tome, 1754-1846. Background posts: 'Painting pastor's' work survives devastating southeastern York County blaze and On York County parks, Susquehannocks and carved river rocks and How many Amish have crossed the bridge from Lancaster to York County?.

Information in a post on fellow blogger Joan Concilio's Only in York County site gives a possible explanation for why the Chanceford Township village of Brogue is often called The Brogue.

The short answer is that it was a shortened version of someone saying "I'm going over to the Brogue Hotel," a landmark there for years.

But where did the village name of Brogue come from?

June Grove knows more about the Chancefords (which includes Lower Chanceford Township) than anyone... .

Two York County natives, Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr., pictured here, and his wife, Ann, were killed in this week's Washington, D.C., metro crash. Background posts: All York County celebrities posts from the start and All York County people posts and All York County war posts.

The collision of two Metro trains in Washington, D.C., this week claimed the lives of two former York countians, Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr and his wife, Ann.

They graduated from York Catholic High School in 1965.

A York Daily Record story (6/24/09) reported that David Wherley, retired commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, was a prominent official after the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks.

"He dispatched planes in the airspace over Washington, D.C., armed with live ammunition, according to his brother, Clark Wherley of York," the newspaper reported... .

This graphic from the "Recapture the Riverfront" booklet shows Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The Cookes House, where Thomas Paine reportedly stayed, sits to the left of Penn Street in the west corner of the park. It's now in private hands. Background posts: Helen Reeves Thackston's name lives on and Worker saved key historical surveys from Glatfelter pulping machine and York's housing stock not that revolutionary.

Carl Huber's recent e-mail raises a good question.

The 200th anniversary of pamphleteer Thomas Paine's death is coming up.

Are there any historical markers in the York area observing his time here during the American Revolution?

The short answer is that there are none... .

A Revolutionary War prisoner of war camp grew up near the present 204th Street in New York City. York County history spokesman believe a local camp, Camp Security in present-day Springettsbury Township, was constructed in similar fasion. Terraces used in such camp are visable today, the spokesmen say. (Photo courtesy of New York Historical Society.) Background posts: The Four Bloggers write and PS Harrisburg grad school: 'Set my feet even more firmly on the path into the world of Fraktur' and Opportunities in York County to feed your sense of discovery.

When fellow blogger and York Sunday News columnist June Lloyd tackles a topic, you know you're getting the latest, best research on an issue.

The former York County Heritage Trust archivist has put up several posts linked to current events that merit a lengthy look: ...

Several years ago, artist Lindsey Keeney gave this view of American Revolution prisoner-of-war Camp Security in present-day Springettsbury (Pa.) Township. British prisoners were detained inside the 15-foot stockade, and some would have lived in huts on the hillside. Background posts: Camp Security: 'The camp consisted of log huts and a large stockade' and POW Camp Security site: 'There's a lot of history waiting to be discovered' and Old house boasts all kinds of historic hooks.

Developer Tim Pasch has introduced a housing plan for land once covered by POW Camp Security called "The Plantation."

So the debate over the hallowed ground - reportedly the last American Revolution POW site not yet developed - boils down to this:

- The developer has located the Camp Security site and won't build on it.

- Preservationists say the camp site has not been identified, and 30-plus acres of open space simply won't cover it... .

This replacement sign now stands near the former site of Camp Security, an American Revolution prisoner of war camp, in Springettsbury Township. Background posts: POW Camp Security site: 'There's a lot of history waiting to be discovered' and Signs point to York, Pa., 'Prize of the Confederacy,' and other York/Adams Civil War wonders and Windows into York blog offers Springettsbury's Schultz House datestone update.

Vandals meant the theft of a sign in 2007 marking the site of a former British POW camp for bad.

But Friends of Camp Security reacted for the public good... .

William Henry Harrison is one of number of presidents whose funeral train stopped in York. (To see a list of other visits by presidents or presidental candidates, click here.) Background posts: Barbara Bush at Crispus Attucks: 'It's something they will remember the rest of their lives' and Isabel Small led procession of women who made wreath for Abe Lincoln's coffin and Bill Goodling: Jerry Ford might have been the most important president he served with.

Gen. William Henry Harrison, candidate for the U.S. presidency, visited York in 1836 and received a welcome befitting the "Hero of Tippecanoe."

In 1841, a train carrying Harrison's body - President Harrison's body - stopped in York, where a solemn audience honored the memory of the man who died in office... .

This painting of Baron Steuben is one of 16 commissioned as part of the 1927 observance of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in York. That placed him in the pantheon of luminaries honored in York, site of the Continental Congress during its nine-month visit in 1777-78. (See photo below.) Background posts: Famed Anglican William White ministered to Continental Congress in York, Declaration signer's marker mounted in obscurity and Lawmakers shared in American Revolution's adversity.

Baron von Steuben has long been a major figure in York County history.

The drillmaster largely credited with turning around the moribund Continental Army shivering at Valley Forge received his commission in early 1778 from Continental Congress, then meeting in York Town.

A new biography of Steuben is at the bookstores with York mentioned prominently in several places.

Paul Lockhart's "The Drillmaster of Valley Forge" confirms many points commonly accepted by local writers, including myself in "Nine Months in York Town."

Henry Laurens, president of Continental Congress, was one of a handful of candidates to serve in that body for the entire nine-month period it spent in York County. That service exacted a heavy toll on the South Carolinian. Background posts: Where was Thomas Jefferson when Congress met in York?, Laurens believed to be the first American to be cremated, Who were these congressional visitors to York Town, anyway?

I've written about the sacrifices of Continental Congress president Henry Laurens before.

But for some reason, they seem particularly acute this time of year when his bout with gout during Congress' visit in York was particularly intense.

So I made them part of today's Christmas Day editorial appearing in the York Daily Record/Sunday News:

This post card view shows the "The Little Courthouse" sitting in its longtime home in Farquhar Park. It's sometimes called the "Statehouse," but that name is misplaced. The original Statehouse sat next to the Colonial Courthouse in York's Centre Square for about 50 years. Background posts: Display marks how York County courthouses evolved, Going to market a longtime York County pastime and Charles Dickens' coach from York to Harrisburg: 'A kind of barge on wheels'.

The trolley kiosk, affectionately called Teapot Dome, that sat in York's Continental Square for years has drawn plenty of attention recently as it is undergoing renovations.

It's involved in a similar journey taken about a decade ago by its longtime Continental Square partner, the Little Courthouse... .

This trolley in York's Continental Square is shown in the last year that such electrified cars ran in York County. York County's trolley system was already shaky entering into the Great Depression and did not make it through the 1930s. Background posts: York-area picture book not your typical coffee table publication, Smoketown a popular York County name in a century ago, and It couldn't happen in York County? Women were trampled in Depression-era labor unrest.

York County is probably no different than many heritage-minded places in trying to separate out areas in which it is historically different or even world famous.

In a previous post, Did York's Thanksgiving proclamation indeed create America's first Thanksgiving?, I explored one such claim.

I tried to give context to the claim that the first national thanksgiving occurred in York during Continental Congress' visit here. The summary point on this one is that no national consensus exists that recognized this local claim.

Just by way of contrast, a consensus can be found that the first battle of the American Revolution occurred in the Lexington-Concord outside Boston.

In a York Sunday News column (12/7/08), I dealt with another local notion: The Great Depression pinched but drew no blood in York County... .

For years, this marker designated the site where Jonathan Jessop developed the York Imperial Apple. With construction of Apple Hill Medical Center on that site, the state Horticultural Association-sponsored marker has been moved inside the medical complex. It sits in obscurity today in the area, quite naturally, of the center's coffee shop. Background posts: Who were York County's most influential citizens?, Research needed to unearth Underground Railroad in York County and 20 questions and answers to prove your York County smarts.

The 1968 book "Greater York In Action" tells the oft-repeated story about how the York Imperial Apple came into being.

In the 1820s, Quaker orchardist/clockmaker Jonathan Jessop received a seedling from a Hallam-area tree that had produced apples that kept all winter on the ground under a blanket of snow.

Jessop grafted a stem from this seedling onto another tree on his Springwood Farm in York Township.

He carried the tree to the Friends' Yearly Meeting in Baltimore and from there members brought the tree to Virginia.

The apple original was known as Jonathan's Fine Winter and later was changed to "Imperial of Keepers" and "York Imperial."

So Jessop became largely known for his role in development of Imperial apples.

That's where this story, which no doubt needs verification and corroboration, has stood for years... .

This First Thanksgiving marker is a bit off the street in downtown York unlike the other dozen markers that relate to the Continental Congress' visit to York in 1777-78. It's located in a park that offers a bit of sanctuary to the lunchtime sandwich crowd, located between M&T Bank and the East Market Street Parking Garage. Background posts: Where was Thomas Jefferson when Congress met in York?, American Revolution was a young man's fight and York Town Square's American Revolution category .

York County has put forth many interesting claims to fame over the years, some of which are hard to prove: York Fair is the nation's oldest. York was the Detroit of the East. York was the nation's first capital.

Another one of these is that the first national Thanksgiving was spawned from York. There's something to the nuanced claim, but not enough to make it a consensus outside York County... .

In 2007, a truck crashed into a wall behind where the York County Heritage Trust's Linda Neylon is standing, forcing the landmark to close for repairs. The repaired historical site opened a couple of weeks later. Background posts: York's housing stock not that revolutionary, Hillary Clinton's rally site in York a little odd and Proposed 'Creation of a Nation' museum name glib, but lacks grounding.

Shortly after a driver motored into the 200-plus-year-old wall of the Golden Plough Tavern in 2007, York County Heritage Trust workers gathered shattered logs and scraps of wood with an eye toward restoration.

The landmark's side was badly damaged, but the truck's driver missed not only the statue of Marquis de Lafayette on his way from the street but also significant artifacts inside the building.

Simply put, it was a clean break... .

Anglican William White (1748-1836), rector of Christ Church in Philadelphia, and Presbyterian George Duffield served as chaplains to Congress during that body's stay in York Town. Here, William White is seen in a panel painted in connection with the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1927. He stayed with a Lutheran pastor named Kurtz in York. Background posts: Research topic: 18th-century helicopter could have aided pastor, Declaration signer's marker mounted in obscurity and York church gained new cupola by 'stealth' .

Anne Eckert Johnson was born in Gettysburg but lives in Richmond, Va.

She is seeking information on the Kurtz family that goes back generations in York County.

Here's a recent request: ...

This panel of Mad Anthony Wayne celebrates his visit to York County during the Continental Congress' visit in 1777-78. This colorful portrait, owned by the York County Heritage Trust, was posted outside (see below) during the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1927. A program to celebrate the anniversary of the Articles is set for 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Colonial Courthouse replica, 157 W. Market St. Details: 848-1587. Background posts: Don't know much about York County history? Part I, 'The Commons' plays host to wonderful vintage photos and When did York's square change from Centre to Continental?

Sixteen colorful paintings, measuring about 3.5 feet by 6 feet, decorated downtown York during the 150th anniversary of the Articles of Confederation in 1927.

They were very much forerunners of the 18 Murals of York that today sprawl across the sides of buildings around York... .

In 2005, Hershey Foods made limited-edition York Pink Patties - York Peppermint Patties with a pink center - in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At one time, the candy was made in York, of course. But no more. But it is still used as a reference point about York. Background posts: Don't know much about York County history?, Was York's surrender justified? and Events in 1777 helped tip Revolution toward patriots

Michele Norris is a National Public Radio interviewer who has helped to deliver four conversations with York countians about the 2008 presidential election.

Those conversations, titled: 'The York Project: Race & The '08 Vote', are adding insight about America's views on this year's presidential race.

On the NPR Web site, Norris explains why York was chosen... .

Sovereign Bank Stadium rises from "the Swamp" in May 2007. That's the former York railroad station in the foreground and Small Field at top. Background posts: Film weaves threads of York, baseball, stadium and neighborhood change, POW Camp Security site: 'There's a lot of history waiting to be discovered' and Small Field missed a shining moment but could again claim a ray of York County's spotlight.

Writers, including this one, have noted the irony of a baseball team named Revolution playing in a ballpark Sovereign Bank Stadium that touts a monarchy. Such a stadium name in York, proud of its role in aiding and abetting American revolutionaries, adds to the fun.

And one could argue, perhaps loosely, that patriots fought the Revolution to prevent Britains imposition of eminent domain on the Colonies. Sovereign Bank Stadium backers used eminent domain to secure land for the ballpark... .

This painting, owned by the York County Heritage Trust, was one of 16 that became part of the 1927 celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in York County. Given the war conditions, scarce food and high costs might have meant that the woman and toddler were not as nourished as they appear in the painting. An upcoming York College class will study food, disease and their impact on early York County. Background posts: "York's Central Market sells steak ... and sizzle," and Demolished Red Lion Grange Hall still tells tale of changing York County and Lighthouse marks site of landmark Dover Township soft pretzel stand.

York College is offering a course on how food, health, disease and accidents affected the life span of York countians.

The course, titled "Voices from the Past: A History of York County, 1730 - 1930," picks up pioneers as they first legally settled west of the Susquehanna River and follows their ancestors until just before the Great Depression... .

Rickey Cox shows a model of a planned memorial to honor Vietnam War veterans at a York Revolution game in 2007. Dallastown sculptor Lorann Jacobs designed the model and is shaping the monument. Background posts: Of local Jewish WW II group: 'It's a skeleton post. I'm it.', War memorials stand proudly in towns throughout York County, and Wrightville's overlooked attractions.

York County's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee is looking for a few good men - and women.

While fund raising for a Vietnam Memorial at the York Expo Center continues, the committee is putting forth plans to unveil the statue.

Committee members are looking for vets from the Vietnam War-era - circa 1962-1975 - to extend invitations to the unveiling ceremony... .

Local American Revolution war vet Henry Miller became York's first chief burgess in 1787. York would not have a mayor until Daniel Noell was elected to the position when the borough became a city in 1887. As a leader in early responders the York Rifles, Miller is gesturing to a target on the side of building, touting his unit's marksmanship. This is one of a group of American Revolution panels occasionally displayed by the York County Heritage Trust. Background posts: York's Yankee Doudle went to Boston, York's mayors since 1887, Scores of American Revolution posts.

An e-mailer raised a good question:

"Where was the original Town Hall of York located in the 1700's?"

A quick answer is that York would not have needed a town hall until after 1787, when it became a borough with Henry Miller as chief burgess... .

A large crowd listens to big band music over the weekend at Dills Tavern, part of Dillsburg's175th anniversary festivities. The tavern serviced the plentiful passengers on the Harrisburg and Baltimore Turnpike, as they passed through the notch in the mountains. Background posts: Franklintown second cousin to neighboring Dillsburg, Flag expert: 'I was interested in my nation's heritage', Dillsburg's Jane Alexander pioneering county woman in state politics

The York Daily Record/Sunday News story (8/23/08) called Dillsburg York County's
"wild child."

The 175th-anniversary celebration over the weekend was, indeed, a bright moment in the northwest York County borough.

The wild child comment brings to mind the most celebrated wedding of a townsman - or townswoman.

Anne Dill, 24 years old and the beautiful widow of a descendant of the town's founder, married the distinguished clergyman and Declaration of Independence signer John Witherspoon... .

This panel, part of the Murals of York series, shows the Central Market, one of at least three murals that celebrates York County's agricultural prowess. The murals can be used as an effective tool to teach county history. Free walking tours of the murals, courtesy of the York County Heritage Trust, are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Tuesday through Saturday until Aug. 30. The tours start at the gift shop behind the Colonial Courthouse, West Market Street, York. Background posts: Don't know much about York County history? Part I, Part II, and Civil rights heros stand out at Bradley exhibit.

The Murals of York can served as a classroom teaching tool.

That's what I told teachers recently in a continuing education course on York County history, offered through Millersville University.

I then provided an overview of county history using the murals, as described in the following York Sunday News column, to be published on July 25: ...

The Murals of York can be used as artifacts to tell a story about the York area. Pictured here is the York Fair mural on the side of the East Market Street parking garage across from the Yorktowne Hotel. There's a certain irony of this particular mural as a celebration of agriculture being located on the side of the garage, overlooking a parking lot. For the last 25 years, York County farmland has been gobbled up to provide housing for commuters from Maryland and elsewhere. Background posts: 20 questions and answers to prove your York County WWII smarts, Resources for York/Adams history junkies increasingly posted on Web, 20 questions and answers to prove your York County smarts, Part III.

When about 20 York County teachers became my students in a recent Millersville University summer continuing education class, I cast about for tools make local history come alive.

I put together a true/false quiz designed to summarize some of the themes of my two-hour primer. (I used it more as a mental execise than a test.)

See how you do, and don't be surprised if my answers resemble sound bytes. Follow the links to go deeper:

Camp Security, in present-day Springettsbury Township, probably resembled this British prisoner-of-war encampment in Charlottesville, Va. Some prisoners from this camp moved to Camp Security in 1781 when Cornwallis' redcoats moved northward into Virginia. Later, other prisoners from Cornwallis' surrendered command at Yorktown, Va., were detained there. Background posts: York County has done its share in playing host to POWs, Camp Security offers beauty, history and First history trail stop: Camp Security.

Even as a jury awarded Peter Alecxih $17.25 million for Highpoint, another prime piece on the preservationists' list made the news.

That's the Springettsbury Township acreage that was site of Camp Security, a British prisoner of war camp in the American Revolution. It's been placed on another high-level list of most-endangered historic sites... .

These two views show York's Continental Square looking south. That's the Hartman Building, later Futer Bros., at left and the Colonial Hotel, right. Actually, the bottom view is dated. Futer Bros. has closed, and the new owner has removed the siding in renovating the building. Background posts: Contractor: Keeping old Futer Bros. building's integrity not hard, but costly,
'Skyscrapers' have shaped York's skyline since 1850 and Cobblers: 'There's still a need for us'

Read 19th-century documents and York's Centre Square often pops up.

But it's known as Continental Square today.

When and why the change?

William C. Goodridge, a former slave who became a respected York businessman, was an influential 19th-century figure in York County. He is on a short list of top newsmakers in York County in the past 250 years. Background posts: List of luminaries from Dover lengthens, How come so few in York know about S. Morgan Smith?, Samuel Small tops community contributor list.

On Sunday, we'll post a sampling of 25 of York County's most influential residents. Actually, there are 26.

The suggestions came from members of the public, York Daily Record/Sunday New staff and the newspaper's editorial board.

As a warm up, we post here a list from "Never to be Forgotten" of a group of 30 influential residents from York County's past... .

The York Daily Record/Sunday News has produced several special Web and print publications, including a York County Women's History section. (Allow extra time for it to load.) See below for links to other projects. Background posts: A short test of your women's history knowledge, A short test of your black history knowledge and 20 questions and answers to prove your York County smarts, Part III.

Check out some of these new Web sites from the York Daily Record/Sunday News and inyork.com guaranteed to appeal to history and news junkies:

This turbine, also known as a runner, was manufactured at Voith Siemens Hydro's West Manchester Township plant in 2006. (See related photos below.) Background posts: Glatfelter, Smith top industrial legacy list, Voith turbine runner legacy of former pastor/entrepreneur, York made big, heavy things - and was immensely proud of it.

A student in my OLLI class at Penn State York wondered why S. Morgan Smith, an industrial giant in the late 1800s, isn't better known today.

The short answer is that no company with Smith connections bears the name of the Moravian-minister-turned-entrepreneur today... .

Dem presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will hold a rally at the intersection of West Market and Beaver on Saturday in York, Pa., seen at the 9 o'clock position in this drawing. (See more about this drawing below.) Background posts: Downtown thrived in post-WW II York - 9/20 iconic images, 'It's something you can't experience at a store in the mall' and President Buchanan's fall reflected his presidency.

The Hillary Clinton campaign's pick of intersection for its York rally is a little weird.

That's not a particularly distinguished city intersection, at least in 2008... .

This drawing gives an idea of the size and scope of Camp Stewartstown, the World War II German prisoner of war camp in southeastern York County, Pa. Now, the former camp is a park and baseball field next to the Presbyterian Church in Stewartstown. Background posts: 'Yesteryears' chock-full of southern York County, Pa., sites, York County has done its share of playing host to POWs and German prisoners from two wars came to York County.

The late Eugene Blevins, of Blevins Orchards, once recalled picking apples on his family's farm with a dozen German POWs from Stewartstown.

"They were ordinary guys," he said. "I liked them. But some of them cut swastikas in the apples. We just threw them away. No point in making a big deal about it."

That one story shows the ambivalence of those living in the area the POW camp filled with German prisoners in the summer of 1944-45.

Mike Argento told this story and others in capturing the Stewartstown scene those summers, in a well-written piece running in the York Sunday News April 14:

Gov. Sir Edmund Andros adorns the cover of the book "Walter Wharton's Land Survey Register, 1675-1679." Andros was an official of New York province at a time that Pennsylvania and Delaware fell under his jurisdiction. The documents that served as a basis for this book were saved by an alert worker at the Spring Grove, Pa., Glatfelter paper plant. Background posts: Vandals strike house where Thomas Paine reportedly labored, Fourth-generation member of Glatfelter paper family dies, Glatfelter family history is as clear as ... paper.

On the ongoing quest to post York County, Pa., references from across the world:

An obscure book crossed my desk the other day, "William Wharton's Land Survey Register."

It contains a reference to Spring Grove's Glatfelter Paper Company... .

This part of York, Pa.'s Lafayette Club is lined with past club presidents' photographs. Ten years ago, the club admitted its first black member. Recently, the organization played host to a fundraiser for York-based Underground Railroad Museum. 10 years ago, York's exclusive Lafayette Club became less exclusive, Part I, Artist Horace Bonham captured everyday life (6/20 iconic images) and Leonard Pitts: Sometimes, history hurts.

A recent letter to the editor from Crispus Attucks Association praised East Market Street's Lafayette Club for playing host to a fundraiser to support an Underground Railroad museum.

That letter in the York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News is pregnant with meaning... .

Confederate soldiers lower the large American flag in York's Centre Square on June 30, 1863, after the town's fathers had surrendered the day before. The rebels marched uncontested into the undefended Pennsylvania town. Immediately after settling in, Gen. Jubal Early's rebels requisitioned food, supplies and money. The town complied with everything but the $100,000 requisition, delivering only about $28,000. Background posts: Carnegie to Farquhar: '... I am ready to go out and enjoy myself' , Pro/Con: Should York's leaders have surrendered to the rebels? and Unsung farmhouse loud symbol of a shaping moment for York.

Another in a series of images that point to events or moments that help define York County... .

In summer 1776, James Smith signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Pennsylvania Constitution. The York, Pa., lawyer also served in the Continental Congress during that body's visit to York County after British troops forced members from Philadelphia. Background posts: 400 years ago, John Smith explored Chesapeake Bay - 1 of 20 iconic images, Where was Thomas Jefferson when Congress met in York?, and Who will lead York in the future?

This painting of James Smith is another in a series of iconic images of York County, Pa. Smith lived and died in York County, joining New York's Philip Livingston as the two signers of the Declaration buried in York County soil... .

Taken from microfilm, this is the first edition of The Pennsylvania Gazette published in York Town - York County's first newspaper. The weekly newspaper published from December 1777 to June 1778 before packing up and moving back east when the British evacuated Philadelphia. After the press left York Town, nine years passed before another newspaper was printed in the county. Bartgis and Roberts began publishing The Pennsylvania Chronicle and York Weekly Advertising in 1787. Solomon Meyer began publishing Die York Gazette in 1796, the first German-language newspaper in York and the first time two newspapers were published at the same time. The Pennsylvania Gazette was circulated to information-hungry readers throughout the 13 states. Background posts: Newspaper's founding date h ard to pin down and Journalism goes back to the future.

A request from a local student for information on the York Daily Record/Sunday News and its predecessors reminds me of favorite quotes attached to newspaper patriarch Solomon Meyer.

Meyer, started Die York Gazette in 1796, a German-language newspaper that the Daily Record lists as its earliest ancester.

Meyer had a weakness that undermined many great men - a love for power and politics. His anti-Federalist views gained him a military patronage post... .

This U.S. postage stamp, issued in 1977, commemorates the Articles of Confederation, adopted in York in 1777. President George Bush referenced the Articles in his recent State of the Union address. Background post: Articles of Confederation don't get no respect, Part I, Events in 1777 helped tip Revolution toward patriots, Batter up, pass the hot dog: York relishes the Revolution and Where was Thomas Jefferson when Congress was in York?

Last time, it was an Associated Press story that disrespected the Articles of Confederation by leaving it out of a list of foundational U.S. documents.

This time, it was the President of the United States who slighted the Articles - in his State of the Union Address, no less... .

John Adams was in York in that crucial winter of 1777-78. But where was Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and George Washington? Background posts: John Adams changed mind about York, Who were those congressional visitors to York, anyway? and Declaration signer's marker mounted in obscurity.

A Philadelphia Inquirer story on the fact that only half of Thomas Jefferson's 20,000 letters have been published prompted a good question.

A York Daily Record/Sunday News staff member wondered: Did Thomas Jefferson write any letters from York as part of Continental Congress in the winter of 1777-78?

The short answer is: Thomas Jefferson wasn't one of the 64 members of congress meeting in York from Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778... .

Workers face a detailed job of shingling the Colonial Courthouse replica on West Market Street. The roof has been there for 31 years, since the courthouse was built. Background posts: From York, Pa. to inside the beltway, politicos got no friend, The first capital of the United States and Display marks how York County courthouses evolved.

It's a debate that captivated local history afficionados in 1975.

Was the orginal York County Court House, that revered place where Continental Congress met in 1777-78, square or rectangular? ...

This was the first graphic or photograph to appear with a York Town Square post, accompanying York Market House No. 5 - Carlisle Avenue Market, revisited in April 2006. Incidentally, that the present-day Dreamwrights building was built as a farmers market still surprises folks. Background posts: There were 5, count 'em, 5 York markets and Don't know much about (York market) history?.

The year 2007 saw visitors to this blog increase exponentially over the previous two years we've been posting.

We hope you are enjoying each day's history lesson. The numbers, increased commenting and e-mails suggest you are.

A list of best, first and most popular posts at this blog follows:

Sidney Poitier smiles while making his way to the podium at the Valencia Ballroom in 2002. Poitier was the guest speaker of The Junior League of York's "In The Spotlight" Speaker Series. For more on the Valencia, see below. Background posts: Original WSBA station hands mic to demolition team and Valencia Ballroom became cool place during Depression.

You're sitting in the living room surrounded by visiting loved ones.

And the talk perhaps turns to York County, its strengths, weakness and befuddling quirks.

And you want to show your smarts about this complex, often perplexing county, which boasts of a bottomless fund of history.

So began my most recent York Sunday News column:

So to help you strut your intelligence, we continue what we started last Christmas and come up with another 20 questions for you to pose (search on this blog for additional details) ... .

Dr. Maulana Karenga, widely known as the creator of Kwanzaa, graduated from York's William Penn High School. The widely published author was known as Ron Everett during his York days. Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating black unity. Background posts: Amanda Berry Smith: 'God's image carved in ebony' and Black playwright earning place in history.

Families gathering during the holidays sometimes like to show off their York smarts.

So we've included a quiz on York County's black history, followed by some inspirational quotes from achievers with York roots.

Look for an additional post on general history in York County on Monday:

Good luck in stumping your loved ones!

In a 2004 political event outside York's Colonial Courthouse replica, guest speakers and the crowd joined Carole King in a song dedicated to the John Kerry campaign - King's "You've Got a Friend." From left are City Councilwoman Toni Smith, actor/director Rob Reiner, King, actress Valerie Harper, County Commissioner Doug Kilgore and Mayor John Brenner. Background posts: Laurens kept Continental Congress together during Valley Forge winter and Events in 1777 helped tip American Revolution toward patriots.

The traveling band of celebrities in the 2004 U.S. presidential campaign unwittingly made a relevant choice of the Colonial Courthouse as a backdrop.

When Continental Congress met in the actual York County Court House in 1777-78, politics held sway.

But then, delegates were not troubled by Democratic and Republic ideologies but were often split according to whether they represented Northern or Southern colonies.

And just as today, this legislative body wasn't always effective... .

This is is a replica of the York County Court House, where Congress met in 1777-78 and adopted the Articles of Confederation. This action has led to the claim that York is the first capital of the United States. Background posts: Articles of Confederation's 230th birthday celebrated and Events in 1777 helped tip Revolution toward patriots.

I get queries dealing with the claim that York was the first capital of the United States fairly often.

For example, an e-mailer recently wondered:

"I'm curious as to whether you consider York to truly be the first capital of the United States, or simply the place where the nation was in essence birthed through the drafting of the Articles of Confederation."

It connects with discussion in a previous post about our fascination with "firsts."

Here's what I've written on the topic in the York Daily Record and in my "Nine Months in York Town" with my own views at the end:

The Civil War-era U.S. Army General Hospital became a major site for treatment because of its proximity to Virginia and Maryland, where many battles took place, and its location on a major rail line. Here, convalescents pose in one of the hospital wards at the Penn Park complex. The military hospital is an example of a York County history topic awaiting study. Background posts: Civil War nurse: 'Dogs of War in our midst' and Not all rebel wounded suffered after Gettysburg.

Many people use New Year's to kick off historical research projects.

My York Sunday News column Looking for a local history research project? probed several topics ripe for research focusing on York's Civil War-era military hospital.

The following is a sampling of topics from York County history awaiting further exploration or publication of existing research:

Ben Chen, who was smuggled to America aboard the freighter Golden Venture, later became owner of a Springettsbury Township restaurant. He was among a group of Golden Venture passengers, detained for about four years in York County Prison, who remains in the region. The Golden Venture detainees are part of a series of immigrant groups who have called York County home over the years or who stayed in York "for a while" then moved on. Background post: Tips for genealogical research and York's Chestnut Street fortress bad symbol of York's past.

Sue Chehrenegar was born in York County and later moved from the area.

She has relatives here still and retains a strong interest in her native county.

She is a writer and has penned stories on York County, including a recent short history of York for www.lifeintheusa.com ... .

Rivertownes PA USA helps promote Wrightsville, Pa.'s many attractions. Here, Claire Storm, Rivertownes' president in this 2003 photograph, surveys one of the town's stone kilns. Background posts: York County, Pa., Civil War hero grandmom of Gore Vidal, Wrightsville's overlooked attractions and Absorbing photo and overlay shows locations of six Susquehanna bridges.

Wrightsville is a lot like Dover.

More goes on in those turnpike towns than one would think... .

Don Lehman rings the bicentennial bell and announces events for the York community's Nine Months in York Town celebration in front of the Colonial Courthouse in 2002. Background post: Who were these congressional visitors to York Town, anyway?

This year marks the 230th anniversary of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation.

Every year, the community gathers at the York County Court House replica - the Colonial Court House - on West Market Street to observe the anniversary of the approval of America's first framework of government.

This year, the York County Heritage Trust-sponsored event is set for 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18 and it will be marked by:

The historical marker explaining York's Penn Park is one of at least nine roadside monuments are missing from York County. Background post: Columnist adds to sense of community .

The Camp Security marker isn't the only one missing along York County's roads.

A York Daily Record states that at least nine are missing from York County. About 200 of the 2,200 markers across Pennsylvania are missing. The number is hard to pin down.

It could be people want these state-owned signs for their rec rooms. Or sell them as scrap.

The missing historical marker that marked the spot of Camp Security is missing. The sign stated: 'Stockade built in 1781 by Col. Jas. Wood on land of Daniel Brubaker. British Troops of Burgoyne's army imprisoned here guarded by York County militia. The camp was about a mile to the south.' Background post: Camp Security memories tucked inside memoirs.

The presence of the missing Camp Security marker is a story in itself.

The marker is one of more than 15 American Revolution-related markers dotting greater York.

The prevalance of these markers underscores the area's rightful love affair with its Revolutionary War past. In contrast, the number of markers pointing to Civil War sites is one or two.

It could be three, but a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Web site says that a marker pointing to Gen. Jubal Early's march through the Weigelstown area is also missing.

Thus, these signs can be viewed as artifacts that, taken as a whole, point to the way the community sees itself. That surrender to the invading Confederates in those pre-Gettysburg days of 1863 is long remembered - or maybe intentionally forgotten.

But what is not as easily explained is the dearth of World War II markers... .

Melvin P. Livingston, a fourth great-grandson of Philip Livingston; and Elaine Livingston, a fifth great-granddaughter of Philip Livingston, read a short biography of the signer of the Declaration of Independence during the unveiling of a plaque in the Prospect Hill Cemetery in 2005. Declaration of Independence signer Philip Livingston died in York in 1778. Declaration signer's plaque mounted in obscurity

When Continental Congress delegate Philip Livingston died in office in York, he was laid to rest in the German Reformed Church Cemetery, later occupied by Woolworth's.

Years later, the New York delegate's body was moved to Prospect Hill Cemetery. Grandson Stephen Van Rensselaer erected a monument that stands today.

Although this once-prominent statesman's name has largedly been lost to history, he is still remembered by his family. Members of this still-prominent family - whose members include the Bush presidents and Eleanor Roosevelt - gather annually at his grave... .

Philip Livingston is one of two Declaration of Independence signers to be interred in York County. His marker stands in Prospect Hill Cemetery. The monument for the other signer, James Smith, rests in the First Presbyterian Church's Cemetery. This painting of Livingston, exhibited from time to time at the York County Heritage Trust, came as part of the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1927. It was posted outdoors, in Continental Square, with 15 other paintings. Background post: Declaration signer James Smith gains moment of fame.

So we find that a plaque feting Declaration of Independence signer Philip Livingston is available for public view in York's Zion United Church of Christ. And his tombstone stands in Prospect Hill Cemetery.

But that's small recognition for a member of one of America's most powerful families - a venerable family perhaps with fame and fortune comparable to the Kennedys today.

The delegate from New York was not feeling well in the days before his departure to York in 1778. In fact, it was believed he would not return to his native soil.

Here's what happened in York, excerpted from "Nine Months in York Town":

For years, shoppers at Woolworths in York could observe this marble marker. But where did it go? Also of interest: John Adams: 'Yesterday the greatest question was decided'.

Zion United Church of Christ, the York church with the 'stealth' steeple, plays host to a once-popular York landmark that has blended into obscurity... .

The John and Christina Schultz house just passed into the hands of preservationists. But there's another Schultz house within county borders.

Historic York now has the John Schultz house in its capable hands.

A York Daily Record story tells about the house, constructed in 1734, and marks it as the oldest in York County.

Several other points of interest about the house:

Gen. James Ewing of Hellam Township was perhaps the highest ranking York countian serving in the Continental Army.

He headed forces in the Battle of Trenton in 1776, though the 1,000 militiamen he led could not cross the Delaware into New Jersey downriver from George Washington because of hazardous conditions.

Ewing had another problem - a controversial half-brother Dr. John Connolly. This was the same Continue reading York County's American Revolution general not his half-brother's keeper.

The first York County (Pa.) Jail, seen here in a Lewis Miller drawing, came under fire from a group of prisoners of war in May 1778. British prisoners in the American Revolution complained about conditions. The jail was located at South George and East King Streets. (Courtesy, York County Heritage Trust.)

The York community is pondering uses for the former York County prison on Chestnut Street now that it's up for sale.

Makes one think. Where was York County's first prison?

The answer is at the corner of South George and East King Street in York, just down the street from York County's Centre Square Court House.

Many people are aware that British prisoners were detained at Camp Security, but this first county lockup housed its share, too.

In fact, allegedly poor conditions there attracted the attention of Continental Congress, then meeting in York. "Nine Months in York Town" describes the Brits' complaints this way:

The Continental Congress met in York's Centre Square Court House, seen here in this Lewis Miller drawing. The York County Heritage Trust, operator of the courthouse replica, is sponsoring an essay contest linked to the Articles of Confederation and other congressional actions in the courthouse during that body's nine-month stay. (Courtesy, York County Heritage Trust)

American wars have spawned essayists as a means of building patriotism or expressing loss or hope.

Phyllis Wheatley was one such political writer. The young black poet, whose work caught George Washington's eye, was optimistic - overly so - in writing in 1772 that Britain's new North American secretary would be supportive of all American colonists:

"No more America, in mournful strain/
Of wrongs, and grievance unredress'd complain/
No longer shalt though dread the iron chain/
Which wanton Tyrannny with lawless hand/
Had Made, and with it meant t' enslave the land."

The York County Heritage Trust is borrowing a page from Phyllis Wheatley in sponsoring an essay contest to commemorate the anniversary of the reconstruction of York's Colonial Courthouse and the 230th anniversary of the adoption of the Articles of Confederation... .¶

Cathy Cline is interested in Capt. Michael Doudle's rifle company, sometimes called the York Rifles. Her ancestor, James Matson, served in that company, known to be an early responder when Gen. George Washington sent out word that the Continental Army needed help in the siege of Boston in 1775.

Doudle - sometimes Doudel or Dowdle - appears on the short list of York County patriots early in the American Revolution. (To see a colorful hall of fame gallery of Doudle and other patriots from York County, see 'Revolutionary War Portraits.'

The following excerpt from "Nine Months in York Town" tells how Doudle, a York tanner with no military experience, led the rifle company on the march to Boston:

Bob Kinsley rides Mexican Wave through the Howard Tunnel on the Rail Trail. The tunnel is one of the oldest in the United States.

The tunnel was constructed in 1836-1837 through a hillside between Glatfelter's and Brillhart station. Trains used the hole in the hill to reach York for the first time in 1838. After trains reached York, that started a flow of raw materials to the port of Baltimore and other destinations in the South... .

Bob Kerr of Madeira, Fla., visited the York County Heritage Trust library recently to research his family who lived in Adams County, from the mid-1700s until they migrated to Ohio in the early 1800s. The library is a center for local research. For additional resources, see below and also search this blog's genealogical research archives.

One count places the number of York County men in uniform during the American Revolution at more than 4,000.

That count includes present-day Adams County, then part of York County.

So, a Mormon church project to digitize Revolutionary War records could turn up information of interest to local genealogists doing Web research.

An LDS press release press release explains the project.

A York County-based LDS resource is described in a recent York Weekly Record story:

Lt. Col. Phil Aubel of York stretches out the center of the American flag on display Friday night in center field at Sovereign Bank Stadium. The York Revolution's new ball park is full of connections to the American Revolution.

To continue to tie the past with the present, I again explained in a York Sunday News column the link between the American Revolution and the York Revolution baseball team playing in its first season.

I adjusted the column to show James Smith, York's Declaration of Independence signer, attending a York Revolution game, assuming he came back to live today.

Indeed, from young Alexander Graydon's account, Smith would have enjoyed such a festive occasion.

Graydon, attorney-in-training in 1773, found lawyer Smith fond of the bottle and bursting with whimsical humor: ,,,

This is a section of East Market Street's York Fair panel, the widest of the murals. If you can't go on the walking tour of the Murals of York, see this colorful spread of all 18 panels.

You'll get a chance to hear first hand about those colorful Murals of York by attending free tours starting Saturdays through Labor Day.

I've used these 18 large-scale murals and more than a dozen mini-murals regularly as illustrations in this blog and in the York Daily Record/Sunday News. They do a wonderful job of telling York County's story - from wars to everyday life and show how the community has advanced in including minorities as part of that narrative. (See below.)

Representatives of the York County Heritage Trust, curator of the large-scale panels on the walls of buildings will conduct the tours... .

(Courtesy, York County Heritage Trust)

My York Sunday News column suggested that the York Revolution baseball team tantalize - and educate - fans with American Revolution facts during games.

I included several possible questions with that column.

Here is a sampling:

Virginia's Richard Henry Lee was one of 64 delegates who met in York Town for nine months from Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778. One of his brothers, Francis Lightfoot Lee, joined him in York and another brother, Arthur, served as an American diplomat in Paris. All three were ancestors of the best-known Lee from Virginia, Robert E.

In a "Connections 2007", I did my best to explain why the York Revolution baseball team drew its name from York's American Revolution past.

But the best part of the six-page spread is the first color printing that I've seen of the York County Heritage Trust's paintings of key figures from York and the Revolution - the 1775 to 1783 Revolution, that is.

We published 15 of the trust's 16 murals. We lost Richard Henry Lee because of space, although we picked him up above. The painting of Marquis de Lafayette, apparently part of the same series but displayed at York's Lafayette Club, did make the Connections cuts. ...

A previous York Town Square post detailed several monumental historical York County events occurring in late June.

Congress' departure from York County in 1778 was one. The Confederate Army's invasion in 1863 was another.

Now, we've discovered two more... .

Neighborhood kids play in the Salem Square park as the renovated statue of a Civil War soldier looms in the background. For a photograph of the headless statue after it was damaged by high winds, see below.

The restoration of Salem Square's statue in York intrigues for at least three reasons.

First, the statue offers a two-fer. It shows a Civil War soldier but celebrates the York Rifles unit's involvement in both the American Revolution and the War Between the States.

That unit was an early responder in both wars. Its members marched to Boston to join George Washington's forces in the seige of that city in 1775. And the unit guarded the Northern Central Railroad within hours of the Confederate firing on Fort Sumter... .

The York County Heritage Trust owns and sometimes displays 16 panels linking to York County in the American Revolution. They were painted in 1927, the 150th anniversary of the Continental Congress' visit to York. This panel of the Marquis de Lafayette is another in that series, on display at the Lafayette Club in York. This captures the toast in which the marquis supported George Washington as commander in chief, discussed years later in Lafayette's memoirs.

A commenter to a recent post says she's obsessed with the Marquis de Lafayette, who visited York twice during his long life. She even said she's getting contact lenses to reflect the marquis' eye color.

Whether the commenter was real or just spamming is unknown.

Artist Lewis Miller produced these drawings (and one below) and 19 others of York County residents in the 19th century who were former German soldiers fighting for the British in the Revolutionary War. Descendents of these Hessians live in York County today. (These drawings courtesy of York County Heritage Trust.)

Jonathan Stayer, profiled in a recent post State Archives, made a interesting contribution to York County history in his 1988 master's thesis. Its title explains why: "The Hessians of Lewis Miller: Assimilation of German Soldiers in America After the Revolution."

Artist Lewis Miller captured a group of these German mercenaries on paper, and Stayer researched and wrote about them. Today, Stayer heads the reference section of the State Archives, part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Generally, these "Hessians" were deserters from the German armies, who found their way to York County, according to Stayer. Some of them, such as Leonard Baumgardner, served in Armand's Legion of the Continental Army after leaving his German unit.

Some of the Hessians stayed behind at war's end and, aided by a predominant German culture, assimilated into the fabric of York County life.

One of the most prominent Hessians, Frederick Valentine Melsheimer, a chaplain, became a noted McAllister's Town - later Hanover - minister. He gained national stature in entomology for his study and collection of insects... .

These pieces of clay, used to sculpt the Marquis de Lafayette's boots, rest in Lorann Jacobs' studio.

York's mayor believes the city offers sculptor Lorann Jacobs the largest of galleries.

John Brenner observed recently that Jacobs' gallery measures 5.2 square miles, the city limits of York.

In about a decade, the Dallastown sculptor has made her mark on York by molding about eight publicly displayed statues, with more on the way... .

Re-enactor portrays Lafayette
under Washington's gaze.

Shivers from a chilled audience at the unveiling of a statue of the Marquis de Lafayette in York last week might have overshadowed insightful comments from France's consul general.

Jean-Pierre Allex spoke of the generations-long interplay between France and America building on a foundation between best friends Lafayette and George Washington.

That relationship included French support in the American Revolution and delivery of the Statue of Liberty. America reciprocated by sacrificing thousands of lives on French soil during two world wars. (This included the deaths of maybe 200 fighting men from York County.)

But, almost in passing, the diplomat made a powerful point... .

James Smith

A proponent for additional statues in York recently backed James Smith as a candidate. (See who's your candidate for York's next statue?)

After all, he argued, York's most prominent 18th-century lawyer signed America's top three seminal documents: the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, U.S. Constitution.

That's not quite correct, as this Q &A suggests: ...

The statue of Marquis de Lafayette is York's newest.
The city's unveiling of the Marquis de Lafayette's statue raises the question about what historic figure York should recognize next?

The city, using the artistic talents of sculptor Lorann Jacobs, is embarking on a program to build cultural history and tourism via the erection of statues and monuments.

Who's next? ...

This turn-of-the-20th-century building was originally used to burn refuse from York city and York Hospital. It's been converted into a crematorium.

Last post told the story of Revolutionary War patriot Henry Laurens, apparently the first American to be officially cremated in the 1790s.

Two hundred years later, the practice is gaining visibility around York, where Laurens dwelt for nine months as president of Continental Congress in 1777-78.

In 2000, a small brick building with a large smokestack on Kings Mill Road became a crematorium.

For years, it had been rumored that the then-spooky building was originally used for burning bodies.

A 1955 newspaper article gives a glimpse at how that legend grew. As the story goes, a south-side neighborhood gang lurked around the building on Halloween night. Some gang members who peeked in a window reportedly saw a "job" under way.

Thus ended their sleep for a month... .

Unsung Revolutionary War hero Henry Laurens was reportedly the first American to be cremated.

Southern Carolinian Henry Laurens was not one of the younger men to serve in the Continental Congress during its nine-month stay in York County.

(See discussion of ages of American Revolution's heroes at American Revolution was a young man's fight..)

By the end of 1777, he was 53.

But few of the nation's founders, young or hold, suffered more in the war than Henry Laurens... .

Lorann Jacobs uses a wire brush to brighten a statue of Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette, to be unveiled in January. Lafayette, 20, visited York in 1778. http://www.ydr.com/search/ci_4509641

In his book “1776," David McCullough accurately points out that the “Glorious Cause" — the American Revolution — was a young man’s war.

That comment goes well beyond the 20-year-old Marquis de Lafayette, visitor to York and its sitting Continental Congress in early 1778.

The youthful marquis is lauded for his fast friendship with George Washington, often viewed as a tottering old man... .

The York theater group Dreamwrights' current production contains brief historical observations about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. http://www.dreamwrights.org/index_files/NightBefore.htm

Unless I missed it in the rapid-fire dialogue in "The Night Before Christmas," the actors covered the fact that Maulana Karenga founded Kwanzaa, but never mentioned that he was from York.

Then known as Ron Everett, Kwanzaa’s founder graduated from William Penn High School in 1958... .

Don Miller shows off the stairs to the spring
that gave York Springs its name.

Adams County's York Springs can boast of a lot of things.

Brig. General William Warren Stewart, touted as the highest-ranking Civil War officer from Adams County, hailed from this eastern Adams County borough.

It was the birthplace of John W. Bittinger, turn-of-the-20th-century York County judge.

The Rev. Daniel Batwell, rector of Episcopal churches in York and Carlisle and York Springs, went to his farm near the borough to recover his health after enduring a dipping in the Codorus Creek during the American Revolution. He got the bath and time in the slammer upon suspicions that he was a British Loyalist. Congress released him under conditions that he take a loyalty oath or return to British lines. He took the latter path, becoming a chaplain of a Tory regiment.

This bungalow was reportedly a leftover building from Camp Security.

J.W. Richley’s memoirs, “Obstacles No Barrier," offers a full tank of information about the advent of the automobile in York County.

But the early-20th-century auto dealer included a wonderful nugget of information in his 1951 autobiography about Camp Security, a Revolutionary War POW compound http://www.yorkblog.com/archives/2006/08/post_50.html ... .

On the York County history trail ...

In a visit near the Springettsbury Township site earlier this year, the green field with a rise to its rear just sparkled.

But the site features another point of interest. I stood near the Schultz house, a multi-story structure that is one of the oldest in York County and certain to be part of any park if preservationists prevail versus the developer.

Its history ran through my mind: ...

If a newspaper had tried to cover York in the 30-day period in the fall of 1777, its staff would have gone nuts.

Lewis Miller, 19th-century artist/carpenter, left a rich legacy of drawings documenting 19th-century York County.

Because of his work, we know more about what life was like around here in the 1800s.

It's fun to try to figure out who will become 20th and 21st-century Lewis Millers... .

York's use of a superstition -- the hiring of a rainmaker -- to combat a drought is just one of many notable anniversaries from York's past in 2006. (See "Rainmaker's visit indicated much awry in York" post.

A few others to pique your interest:

-- 1756: 250th -- York County's first courthouse is finished.

-- 1806: 200th -- James Smith, the county's signer of the Declaration of Independence, died and is buried in York.

-- 1856: 150th -- One of the most damaging fires in York's history consumed an entire city block. (See upcoming York Town Square for more.)

-- 1881: 125th -- President James Garfield's funeral train passes through York (as did Abraham Lincoln's in 1865) ... .

James Smith, York County's Declaration of Independence signer, is scarcely known in his home county, let alone in other states.

So it's intriguing that the University of Delaware named a residence hall after the man who spent most of his life in York County and is buried here. http://www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2007/sep/dedication091806.html

In fact, no buildings in York County bear his name... .

Previous post, York Town Square explored how Lancaster County begat York and Cumberland counties.

And York County begat Adams in 1800. (And Cumberland begat Frankin, named after Benjamin Franklin, in 1784.)

And many know that Adams County was named for patriot and second U.S. President John Adams.

But it's not as commonly known how Adams' view of York County changed during his two visits here... .

Earlier this year on a sunny Saturday, I visited a spot offering a view of the fields and ridge where Camp Security once operated.

The site of York County’s American Revolution camp is a wonderful piece of land, and the nearby 1730s Schultz house just adds to this prize. No wonder the Springettsbury Township property is a point of contention between preservationists and a developer.

Last year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation identified the camp as one of the nation's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The controversy between a developer targeting McMansions on the site and local preservationists is on low simmer.

The nut of the Camp Security story:

Some prisoners from an encampment in Charlottesville, Va., moved to Camp Security in 1781 when Gen. Charles Cornwallis’ redcoats moved northward into Virginia. The Continental Army was concerned that the British would detach a unit to free the prisoners, many of whom had surrendered about four years earlier at Saratoga, N.Y. About 2,000 mostly British prisoners were housed there from 1781 to 1783. German mercenaries — Hessians — were largely assigned to farms around York County.

Here’s a tale of the camp excerpted from "Nine Months in York Town, American Revolutionaries Labor on Pennsylvania's Frontier:"

In two wars, York County has played a reticent host to prisoners of war.

Not surprisingly, York countians fretted over the occupants of both camps — Camp Security in the American Revolution and Camp Stewartstown in World War II. Our military men were fighting and dying in battle with Britain and Germany, respectively, and the government brought enemy prisoners into our midst.

I covered the enormous frustration brought on by Camp Security and the American Revolution in a York Sunday News column. See "Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and history" at http://www.ydr.com/search/ci_4142756

Here’s another example from a diarist in 1783:

“During a visit in Bottstown, I heard much from Bro. John Rothrock and others about the wicked and lewd conduct of the British officers during their stay here, who had exercised a very demoralizing influence on our young people." ...

It's interesting the work you do on a snowy day can pay off when it's hot months later.

In December, the York Daily Record/Sunday News' Ted Sickler and I went through tubs of material at Crispus Attucks Community Center telling about that organization's 75th anniversary.

We organized the photos and stories into a series of 30 profiles about the organization that has long so successfully served the recreational and social needs of minorities in York.

The profiles have been running in the York Sunday News Viewpoints section since March. They will end in the fall at about the time that CA is planning a major event.

We have the complete set online, headlined 75 years of Crispus Attucks. ...

The new York Revolution minor league baseball team's association with the county's rich Revolutionary War past could pique interest in the delegates who fled to York from Philadelphia.

Continental Congress came here in 1777-78 after the British pushed them out of the comforts of Philadelphia.

John Hancock was in York. So was Samuel Adams. And his cousin, John. Virginia's Richard Henry Lee was here. So was Princeton Prez John Witherspoon.

Some of the 64 delegates who served in York Town, as it was then called, were luminaries. Some are little known today, and not that well known in their day.

To help make them come alive a little more, the following from "Nine Months in York Town" http://www.ydr.com/ninemonths/ might intrigue you:

York’s association with the American Revolution has been so strong that it was inevitable that its minor league baseball team would be named the "Revolution." Indeed, some even erroneously view its architecture as Colonial.

A few buildings remain from Revolutionary times — the Gates House and Plough Tavern and the Cookes House (See "Vandals strike house where Thomas Paine reportedly labored" entry in York Town Square archives), for example.

And a few 20th-century buildings are designed to bring people back to those days — the Colonial Courthouse replica along the Codorus and Sovereign Bank’s (formerly York Federal’s) downtown office.

But much of York’s building and house stock is predominantly Victorian, meaning late 1800s and early 1900s... .

With the growing fun connected with the newly branded York Revolution minor league baseball team, it's easy to forget the sacrifices that came with the American Revolution.

The best estimate is that 4,000 York County men fought in uniform in the Continental Army. Those left at home - the aged, women and children - had to run businesses, farms and households in times of scarcity.

And even men of privilege in the Continental Congress paid a price... .

The naming of York's new baseball team the "York Revolution" ties into the community's most cherished moment -- the nine months that the Continental Congress visited York County in 1777-78.

What's the evidence that York relishes its Revolutionary War past when Congress met in the town's Centre Square Courthouse? Well, count the historical markers downtown. About a dozen tie into the Revolution. Only one, way out in West York, connects with the Civil War... .

John Adlum, a diarist, placed the arrival of the Declaration of Independence in York on the evening of July 6, 1776.

James Smith, York's signer, and two other men brought it to York, then called York Town, for a reading.

Just three days earlier, Massachusetts delegate John Adams got it right in a letter to his wife, Abigail: "Yesterday the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men."

In assessing the crowd in York Town, Adlum did not figure those assembled understood the significance of the event.

"I do not believe that the majority, men and women," Adlum wrote, "knew what independence meant."

The crowd's actions suggestioned otherwise. The Declaration's reading inspired many in the crowd to enlist in the Continental Army.

The following excerpts from "Nine Months in York Town" focus on the Declaration's arrival in York Town: ...

Late June has marked several hinge events in the York area.

This weekend's Patriot observance in York http://www.ydr.com/newsfull/ci_3952025 focuses on the Civil War.

Consider the following tightly bunched moments:

For years, the the York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News Web history section, ydr.com/history has been the go-to place to see the Murals of York on-line, with descriptions and walking tour.

If you want to go there directly, try the following link to see the highly readable, high-tech murals presentation: Murals of York... .

Over the years, someone with excess white paint camouflaged the 1880s-vintage red brick Loucks School. That plus other alterations has made the West Manchester Township building hard to identify as a former one-room school

That’s not the only way the building and its surroundings have changed.

In reading up on Red Lion for a speech this week, I ran across one of my favorite York County stories.

The story, pregnant with meaning, is told about Dr. John M. Hyson, 1850-1931, commonly known as the father of Red Lion... .

A wire service story on Benjamin Franklin in the York Sunday News included a point of view that justifiably drew the ire of a student of York County history... .

Luther B. Sowers took exception with the story from Jan. 22 indicating that Franklin signed four seminal American documents — The Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaty of Alliance with France (1778), the Treaty of Paris establishing peace with Britain (1783) and The Constitution (1787)... .

Mary Ann Furnace, an early York County iron furnace, operated in West Manheim Township starting in 1762. Among other things, the furnace produced grape shot and cannon balls for the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

The furnace is long gone, but its site will become part of Codorus State Park. The York County Farm and Natural Lands Trust paid $1.75 million for the land, and the state will pay back the loan by March.

All this will shield the historic site from the developer’s bulldozer.

What is the 1762 furnace’s place in county history?

The following from “Never to be Forgotten" gives a glimpse:

A fight between a developer and preservationists over the Camp Security site in Springettsbury Township has made many York County residents aware of the history of that Revolutionary War location.

Fewer are aware that York County played host to a second prisoner of war camp — Camp Stewartstown in World War II.

More than 2,000 German prisoners camped there in the summers of 1944 and 1945. These detainees came down from Fort Indiantown Gap to work in the orchards and canneries through southern York County. They stayed in tents, within a barbed-wire-enclosed compound at the Stewartstown Fairgrounds, next to the Presbyterian Church.

“There’s no homes built on it yet," Betty Baldwin commented in presenting information about the camp to a gathering at Zion United Church of Christ earlier this month... .

A blogger pointed out that a good candidate for an overlooked county treasure is the now-headless statue on Salem Square in that part of York City.

Good point.

The York-area boasts few odes to the Civil War to begin with, so we should treasure them all.

But what war does the statue celebrate? See controversy below.

The Cookes House, one of York's overlooked landmarks, has not escaped the notice of vandals.

On several occasions, vandals have struck one of York's oldest buildings. (See writer Ted Czech's York Daily Record/York Sunday News story below.)

Ask any York County audience about the current location of "The Little Courthouse" or "Victory House," and they'll pause and say, "Farquhar Park," or "near Kiwanis Lake."

Well, the 1 ½-story replica of the Colonial Courthouse -- county courthouse No. 1 of 4 -- hasn't rested in the park for years.

Mark Noll set an American record for shortest field trip this week.

The Dallastown Area High School history teacher did not let a fire drill impair precious instructional time.