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So York/Adams' past is a rich repository, prompting many queries to the newspaper in an attempt to unlock history's secrets.
A growing stream of questions and comments about history are coming our way, particularly prompted by the extensive historical content from the newspaper posted at http://www.ydr.com/history and my blog, http://www.yorktownsquare.com.
This Web-based historical content means, for example, that a former Yorker enjoying the Florida sun with a computer on his lap can remain active in York's historical community.
The following sample of recent queries shows the wide range of interests by those participating in York's growing virtual historical community:
Keystone Record Collectors' Phil Schwartz is working on a project to re-master music from groups that appeared at White Oak Park.
"The Oaks," formerly located north of York in the vicinity of the Masonic Temple, was a popular post-World War II picnic place and early 1960s teen hangout.
Schwartz e-mailed that the groups - the Del-Chords, Exciting Invictas, El Dantes - often made "demos," and much of the music was never released. "White
Surprisingly, not much is left pointing to the popular venue. So if you have White Oak photos and other memorabilia and want to be a generous member of the virtual community, contact Schwartz at Pschwa7845@ aol.com.
I posted word about Schwartz's search on my blog, suggesting that White Oak Park was to the north side what the Shady Dell was to the south side.
Something of that hangout above South George Street remains visible.
Which sparked a question from a Web reader.
Where was "The Dell?"
The quick answer: Near the intersection of Star Cross Road and Shady Dell Road. The house and low outbuildings are perched on the side of the hill overlooking Violet Hill.
Cameron Mitzell - actor Cameron Mitchell - was York County born and raised.
In fact, people alive today remember him and his father, the Rev. C.M. Mitzell, who held pastorates in the county.
Well, an out-of-county resident is looking for details about the "High Chaparall" star's World War II record.
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Eddie Deerfield is editor of the 303rd Bomb Group (H) Association's Hell's Angels newsletter.
"Do any Daily Record articles identify the military unit in which he served, the combat theater, the missions he flew, etc.?" he e-mailed.
The group's Web site is http://www.303rdBG.com.
Robert Creech and his wife, Jeanne, enjoy York County's back roads.
He e-mailed a picture of a Muddy Creek Forks-area building, wondering if it was a church or school.
I posted the photo on my blog. Someone saw it, e-mailed it to the building's owner and sent her reply to us.
I posted her response.
The world now knew it was a school - the old Jamison school.
Owner Dolores Krick wrote that it was named after the Rev. Samuel Jamison, who sold the property for educational use.
Leon Walker, Helen Stewart, Pauline Ruff, Mildred Scott, Mildred Wambaugh and Sara Atkins taught there. Pauline Grove was the last teacher in 1947.
Post-World War II consolidation made many of these one-room schools ready for houses, businesses ... and decay.
The use of old technology - the telephone - offered a different twist on how the Borough of Yoe got its name.
First, an oft-told story goes like this:
Moses Snyder, a prominent resident of Snydertown, as the cigar-manufacturing town was called, sought a post office in the 1880s. But another town in the state already claimed the name. Moses chose his late mother's name "Yohe," but dropped the "h" to not offend his father's second wife.
In a phone call, Russell Horn Jr. contested that story.
Well, part of it.
He has some embroidery from an ancestor, dated 1837, bearing the name "Catherine Yoe."
That would suggest that the shorter form of the name was around in the early 1800s.
So, perhaps this business of offending a former wife may not be true.
I blogged about this new revelation.
Now the world is part of a virtual community conversation concerning the notion that the old story of Yoe's name now needs to be recast.
James McClure is editor of the York Daily Record/Sunday News. He has written five books on county history. To contact him, call 771-2000, or e-mail jem@ ydr.com.
