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History of York, Pennsylvania, USA
Journey back in time to York, Pennsylvania, USA
(Yorktown)
Explore York, Pennsylvania, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have York Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

York, York, Pennsylvania, USA
Bob Hoffman of York is hailed the world round as the Father of Weightlifting. Hoffman started York Barbell Corp. in 1932 and preached the gospel of physical fitness throughout his life as an U.S. Olympic coach, businessman and philanthropist.
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Explore even more about York, Pennsylvania, USA. Keep reading!
Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to YORK

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Discover York: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1777 to 1778 - Articles of Confederation
October 1777 - June 1778 - While Congress was sitting in York, it approved the Articles of Confederation, the first step toward a national government. After the war, the capital was moved to New York, 1790 until the opening of the District of Columbia in 1800, Philadelphia was again the capital.
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resources/ state-history-timeline/
pennsylvania.html
October 1777 - June 1778 - While Congress was sitting in York, it approved the Articles of Confederation, the first step toward a national government. After the war, the capital was moved to New York, 1790 until the opening of the District of Columbia in 1800, Philadelphia was again the capital.
www.e-referencedesk.com/
resources/ state-history-timeline/
pennsylvania.html
1854 - York
York, a wealthy post-borough of York township, capital of York county, Pennsylvania, on Codorus creek, 10 miles S. W. from the Susquehanna river, 28 miles S. S. E. from Harrisburg, 24 miles W. by S. from Lancaster, 48 miles N. from Baltimore, and 92 miles from Philadelphia, with all which towns it is connected by railways. Numerous turnpikes, extending in various directions, connect this place with the principal towns of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Baltimore and Susquehanna railroad joins here with the York and Cumberland, and the York and Wrightsville railroad. The town is neatly and substantially built, and contains many fine residences and public buildings. The most remarkable among the latter is the court house, a large edifice of granite, resembling a Grecian temple : it cost $150,000. Several of the churches are adorned with lofty spires. It contains 2 banks, with an aggregate capital of $320,000. Four news papers are published here. York is surrounded by a populous and... Read MORE...
York, a wealthy post-borough of York township, capital of York county, Pennsylvania, on Codorus creek, 10 miles S. W. from the Susquehanna river, 28 miles S. S. E. from Harrisburg, 24 miles W. by S. from Lancaster, 48 miles N. from Baltimore, and 92 miles from Philadelphia, with all which towns it is connected by railways. Numerous turnpikes, extending in various directions, connect this place with the principal towns of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Baltimore and Susquehanna railroad joins here with the York and Cumberland, and the York and Wrightsville railroad. The town is neatly and substantially built, and contains many fine residences and public buildings. The most remarkable among the latter is the court house, a large edifice of granite, resembling a Grecian temple : it cost $150,000. Several of the churches are adorned with lofty spires. It contains 2 banks, with an aggregate capital of $320,000. Four news papers are published here. York is surrounded by a populous and... Read MORE...
1856 - Tornado
Further Particulars. - The storm of Saturday night was quite serious at York, Pa. The Gazette says:
It lifted the sheet iron roof from the large warehouse of P. A. & S. Small, in the rear of their store, carrying one end across the alley into an adjoining lot, whilst the other end hung to the building. The roof was also blown from the engine house of Messrs. Small & Smyser's foundery, whilst trees were uprooted and fences carried away in different parts of the borough and its vicinity. The gale was accompanied by vivid flashes of lightning, very little thunder, an still less of what everybody wanted - rain.
We have also just learned that four spans of the York furnace bridge were carried away and considerable damage done to the Columbia bridge.
The Adams Sentinel
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
April 21, 1856
Further Particulars. - The storm of Saturday night was quite serious at York, Pa. The Gazette says:
It lifted the sheet iron roof from the large warehouse of P. A. & S. Small, in the rear of their store, carrying one end across the alley into an adjoining lot, whilst the other end hung to the building. The roof was also blown from the engine house of Messrs. Small & Smyser's foundery, whilst trees were uprooted and fences carried away in different parts of the borough and its vicinity. The gale was accompanied by vivid flashes of lightning, very little thunder, an still less of what everybody wanted - rain.
We have also just learned that four spans of the York furnace bridge were carried away and considerable damage done to the Columbia bridge.
The Adams Sentinel
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
April 21, 1856
1869 - Lead
Lead of the best quality has been found near York, Pa.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
December 25, 1869
Lead of the best quality has been found near York, Pa.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
December 25, 1869
1888 - Hall Collapses
A Hall at York, Pa., collapsed on the 26th during an entertainment, burying three hundred persons in the ruins, and large number were seriously injured.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
December 29, 1888
A Hall at York, Pa., collapsed on the 26th during an entertainment, burying three hundred persons in the ruins, and large number were seriously injured.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
December 29, 1888
1894 - April 10 - York, PA received 26 inches of snow
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel
1895 - York
York, a post-borough, the capital of York co., Pa., situated on Codorus Creek, 28 miles S.S.E. of Harrisburg, 24 miles W. by S. of Lancaster, 48 miles N. of Baltimore, and 92 miles from Philadelphia, with all of which towns it is connected by railroads. Numerous turnpikes, extending in various directions, connect this place with the principal towns of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Northern Central Railroad connects York with Baltimore on the one hand and with Harrisburg on the other. By the Pennsylvania Railroad it is connected with Philadelphia and New York. York is also a terminus of the Peach Bottom Railroad and the Hanover & York Railroad. The town is neatly and substantially built, and contains many fine residences and public buildings. The most remarkable among the latter are the court-house, a large edifice of granite, resembling a Grecian temple, the Collegiate Institute, erected in 1873 by the munificence of Samuel Small, Esq., and the Presbyterian, German Reformed, and... Read MORE...
York, a post-borough, the capital of York co., Pa., situated on Codorus Creek, 28 miles S.S.E. of Harrisburg, 24 miles W. by S. of Lancaster, 48 miles N. of Baltimore, and 92 miles from Philadelphia, with all of which towns it is connected by railroads. Numerous turnpikes, extending in various directions, connect this place with the principal towns of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Northern Central Railroad connects York with Baltimore on the one hand and with Harrisburg on the other. By the Pennsylvania Railroad it is connected with Philadelphia and New York. York is also a terminus of the Peach Bottom Railroad and the Hanover & York Railroad. The town is neatly and substantially built, and contains many fine residences and public buildings. The most remarkable among the latter are the court-house, a large edifice of granite, resembling a Grecian temple, the Collegiate Institute, erected in 1873 by the munificence of Samuel Small, Esq., and the Presbyterian, German Reformed, and... Read MORE...
1906
York, a city, capital of York co., Pa., on Codorus Creek, 28 miles SSE. of Harrisburg, on the Northern Central, the Maryland and Pennsylvania and the Western Maryland Re. It is situated in the midst of a very fertile and productive agricultural region, is neatly and substantially built, and contains many fine residences and public buildings. Among the latter are the court-house, municipal building, opera- house, etc. York is the seat of the York Collegiate Institute, the York County Academy, and a high-school, and has an orphans' home, almshouse, various hospitals, and a penitentiary. The city's varied industries are represented by and comprise bridge- and chain-works, foundries and ma chine-shops, paper- and pulp-mills, and the manufacture of cigars and tobacco, agricultural implements, traction engines, water-wheels, safes and locks, knitted goods, cigar- boxes, carriages and wagons, bricks, fertilisers, etc. In 1777—78 the Continental Congress met at this place while Philadelphia... Read MORE...
York, a city, capital of York co., Pa., on Codorus Creek, 28 miles SSE. of Harrisburg, on the Northern Central, the Maryland and Pennsylvania and the Western Maryland Re. It is situated in the midst of a very fertile and productive agricultural region, is neatly and substantially built, and contains many fine residences and public buildings. Among the latter are the court-house, municipal building, opera- house, etc. York is the seat of the York Collegiate Institute, the York County Academy, and a high-school, and has an orphans' home, almshouse, various hospitals, and a penitentiary. The city's varied industries are represented by and comprise bridge- and chain-works, foundries and ma chine-shops, paper- and pulp-mills, and the manufacture of cigars and tobacco, agricultural implements, traction engines, water-wheels, safes and locks, knitted goods, cigar- boxes, carriages and wagons, bricks, fertilisers, etc. In 1777—78 the Continental Congress met at this place while Philadelphia... Read MORE...
1911 - Fire Destroys Printing Plant
Special to The Inquirer.
YORK, Pa., July 16.- Hard luck seems to follow James K. Taylor, a well-known business man of this city. Yesterday Mr. Taylor, who is at the head of the Specialty Printing Company, was served with a warrant amounting to $13,000 by false pretense, and late last night his plant was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss estimated at $10,000. Some time ago another firm of which Mr. Taylor was the head went into the hands of a receiver.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 17, 1911
Special to The Inquirer.
YORK, Pa., July 16.- Hard luck seems to follow James K. Taylor, a well-known business man of this city. Yesterday Mr. Taylor, who is at the head of the Specialty Printing Company, was served with a warrant amounting to $13,000 by false pretense, and late last night his plant was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss estimated at $10,000. Some time ago another firm of which Mr. Taylor was the head went into the hands of a receiver.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 17, 1911
1932 - Bob Hoffman of York is hailed the world round as the Father of Weightlifting. Hoffman started York Barbell Corp. in 1932 and preached the gospel of physical fitness throughout his life as an US Olympic coach, businessman and philanthropist.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ pennsylvania.html
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ pennsylvania.html
1969 - Two killed in race riots in York; 60 people arrested, city block burned
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www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ patimeln.htm
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in York:
York County History Center: Start your exploration of York by delving into its history at the York County History Center. This museum features fascinating exhibits on the region's past, including the American Revolution and the Civil War.
York Central Market: If you're a foodie, you can't miss the York Central Market. It's one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the United States, offering a wide variety of fresh produce, artisanal foods, and crafts.
The York Emporium: Book lovers will enjoy a visit to The York Emporium, a unique bookstore filled with new and used books, comics, and collectibles. It's a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts.
William C. Goodridge Freedom Center: York has a deep connection to the Underground Railroad, and this museum pays tribute to the life of William C. Goodridge, a prominent African American businessman and freedom seeker in the 19th century.
York Murals: Take a walking tour to admire the many murals that adorn buildings... Read MORE...
York County History Center: Start your exploration of York by delving into its history at the York County History Center. This museum features fascinating exhibits on the region's past, including the American Revolution and the Civil War.
York Central Market: If you're a foodie, you can't miss the York Central Market. It's one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the United States, offering a wide variety of fresh produce, artisanal foods, and crafts.
The York Emporium: Book lovers will enjoy a visit to The York Emporium, a unique bookstore filled with new and used books, comics, and collectibles. It's a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts.
William C. Goodridge Freedom Center: York has a deep connection to the Underground Railroad, and this museum pays tribute to the life of William C. Goodridge, a prominent African American businessman and freedom seeker in the 19th century.
York Murals: Take a walking tour to admire the many murals that adorn buildings... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: York Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in York, Pennsylvania, USA
We currently have information about 22 ancestors who were born or died in York.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Ancestors Who Were Married in York, Pennsylvania, USA
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