Photos: Compelling York County, Pa., postcard pictures from way back

The York Fair

Elks' Monument, Penn Park, York, PA

John Ness shared this postcard showing the former York Continental Airways York Valley Airport in Springettsbury Township. Panera is located today in about the center of the photograph. The former Valley Canvas building, a hangar for the airport, stands today. Walmart, in the old York Mall, stands today outside the frame to the right.

Betsy Baird shared this postcard of the former Besser's Department Store south of York along the Susquehanna Trail.

Playland, York, Pa. Pub. by Mellinger Studios, Lancaster, Penna.

A postcard of the Hartley Boat Club, 1914. Historical photographs courtesy of the York County Heritage Trust.

This photo submitted by Audrey Lerew shows the interior and exterior of Playland skating rink as seen on a postcard. The complex stood along the old Lincoln Highway across the road from present-day Panera Bread/Walmart in Springettsbury Township

Postcard from 1916

This photo was submitted by Dianne Bowders of York Township to the Daily Record/Sunday News online Historic photos of York gallery. The photographer writes: 'This Postcard photo was taken mid 1960's of the Barnett-Bobb Log House in its original location. The house was moved to its current location in the Colonial Courthouse Complex in 1968. "This 150 year old log house at the corner of Pershing and W. College Ave., completely restored by Historic York County, Inc., contains colonial furnishings. The unusual structure measures 26 by 34 feet with two stories." Published by: Stel-Mar, 329 Rhoda Dr., Lancaster, Pa. Photographer: Marshall Dussinger'

Wm. Penn Senior High School, York, Pa. Pub. by York News Agency, York, PA. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

York Water Company's impounding basin, showing spillway channel, York, Pa., York Water Company’s impounding basin, showing Reforesting Lake and Susquehanna Trail. Pub. by York News Agency, York, PA. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

A postcard of the York Manufacturing Company, claiming to be the largest plant in the world. It is the forerunner of Borg Warner.

A York postcard from Bill Snyder's collection.

This undated postcard shows Martin Library.

Ronald Dise shared these images from postcards of Besser's restaurant and service station south of York.

Ronald Dise shared these images from postcards of Besser's restaurant and service station south of York.

Old postcard of the Fountain in Penn Park

The architectually significant former W.H. Raab residence sits today, as in this postcard, across from Glatfelter’s Furniture store on East Main street.

Larry Good shared this postcard image of the Elm Beach area on the northern part of the Conewago Creek near Manchester.

Larry Good shared this postcard image of the Elm Beach area on the northern part of the Conewago Creek near Manchester.

Larry Good shared this postcard image of the Elm Beach area on the northern part of the Conewago Creek near Manchester.

Larry Good shared this postcard image of the Elm Beach area on the northern part of the Conewago Creek near Manchester.

Larry Good shared this postcard image of the Elm Beach area on the northern part of the Conewago Creek near Manchester.

Bob and Priscilla Steindl of Pompano Beach, FL, shared these images copied form postcards of York.

Bob and Priscilla Steindl of Pompano Beach, FL, shared these images copied form postcards of York.

Bob and Priscilla Steindl of Pompano Beach, FL, shared these images copied form postcards of York.

Bob and Priscilla Steindl of Pompano Beach, FL, shared these images copied form postcards of York.

Bob and Priscilla Steindl of Pompano Beach, FL, shared these images copied form postcards of York.

Bob and Priscilla Steindl of Pompano Beach, FL, shared these images copied form postcards of York.

Bob and Priscilla Steindl of Pompano Beach, FL, shared these images copied form postcards of York.

Bob and Priscilla Steindl of Pompano Beach, FL, shared these images copied form postcards of York.

Jim Druck shared this image of Ye Olde Valley Inn, enlarged from a postcard.

This photo was submitted by Dianne Bowders of York Township to the Daily Record/Sunday News online Historic photos of York gallery. The photographer writes: 'A mid 1960's postcard of Continental Square: "YORK, PENNA., CONTINENTAL SQUARE George St., looking north, the square was the site of York's first courthouse and the capital of the U.S., Sept., 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778." Published by: Stel-Mar, 329 Rhoda Dr., Lancaster, Pa. Photographer: Marshall Dussinger'

This photo was submitted by Dianne Bowders of York Township to the Daily Record/Sunday News online Historic photos of York gallery. The photographer writes: 'A mid 1960's postcard of the Volunteer Firemen's Memorial: "VOLUNTEER FIREMEN'S MEMORIAL, situated in Penn Common Park, this memorial is a tribute to Firemen. The park is located in York, Penna, and is a part of the original William Penn grant." Published by: Stel-Mar, 329 Rhoda Dr., Lancaster, Pa. Photographer: Marshall Dussinger'

This photo was submitted by Dianne Bowders of York Township to ydr.com’s online Historic photos of York gallery. The Gates House/Plough Tavern site was a setting for recent videos produced by a Central York High School class. Submitted This photo was submitted by Dianne Bowders of York Township to the Daily Record/Sunday News online Historic photos of York gallery. The photographer writes: 'Mid 1960's Postcard: "Gates House and Plough Tavern...York, Pennsylvania. Front view of the Golden Plough Tavern built in 1741 of medieval Germanic half-timber construction and the General Gates House built in 1751, residence of General Horatio Gates at the time York was the capital of the United States and site of the Conway Cabal, 1778." Published by: Stel-Mar, 329 Rhoda Dr., Lancaster, Pa. Photographer: Marshall Dussinger'

This photo was submitted by Dianne Bowders of York Township to the Daily Record/Sunday News online Historic photos of York gallery. The photographer writes: 'Mid 1960's Postcard: "MARTIN MEMORIAL LIBRARY, York, Pa., Located on Market St., the Martin Memorial Library is a modern well-stocked library with colonial style." Published by: Stel-Mar, 329 Rhoda Dr., Lancaster, Pa. Photographer: Joel Gray'

This photo was submitted by Dianne Bowders of York Township to the Daily Record/Sunday News online Historic photos of York gallery. The photographer writes: 'Mid 1960's Postcard: "YORK MEETING HOUSE, located at 135 West Philadelphia St., this building was erected in 1766 by the Society of Friends, (Quakers). Published by: Stel-Mar, 329 Rhoda Dr., Lancaster, Pa. Photographer: Marshall Dussinger'

Summer cottages, Conenago Park, near Manchester, PA

B. Derek Shaw of York submitted this image of a promotional postcard for York Paint and Hardware Co.

B. Derek Shaw of York submitted this image of a postcard of Highland Park in West York's Dogtown neighborhood.

B. Derek Shaw of York submitted this 'real photo' postcard featuring images of a loop rollercoaster at the York Fair in 1904; more details on that card are available at http://www.rollercoastermuseum.org/then-now.

This postcard from Scott Butcher's book shows the York County Court House in 1898, when it was flanked by the Security & Title Co. building on the left and the Marshall House, a hotel, on the right. Attached is a b/w postcard depicting the Security & Title Co. building (left), 1898 York County Court House (center - prior to expansion), and Marshall House (right - a hotel). I believe this is the one you requested. Resolution is roughly 5.1" x 7.8" at 300 ppi, so it should be more than adequate. If you would like a different postcard, feel free to call my cell phone at 891-1393.

Bear's was one of the Big 3 in the middle years of the 20th century.

York’s old City Hall is depicted in this old postcard from sometime after its construction in 1942.

Lily Pond and Band Stand, Farquhar Park, York, PA

Fountain and Band Stand, Penn Common, York, PA

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument on Penn Common

The Fountain, presented by J.T. Kopp, to Penn Park, York, PA

Joyce Rode shared these postcards advertising sales at Reineberg's Shoe Store. The cards were sent in 1980 and 1981, but the photos are from 1925.

Joyce Rode shared these postcards advertising sales at Reineberg's Shoe Store. The cards were sent in 1980 and 1981, but the photos are from 1925.

This card depicting a local instrument-seller is from the collection of Joan Concilio and Chris Otto. This is from Weaver Organ and Piano Co. of York and is a replica; it’s on a postcard that was published in a collection called “Old-Fashioned Children in Trade Cards.” That collection is from about 1989; the original, of course, is much older, though we have no exact date.

Bob Steindl of Pompano Beach, Fla., submitted this postcard of The Valencia Ballroom.

This postcard is of The Bon-Ton’s former location in downtown York. It’s a “Commercialchrome” card published by Fair & Square Bargain House of York, PA. It was mailed by Lucy Snyder of East King Street, York, to Freda Hatt of Annville, Ohio, with a postmark date of Oct. 18, 1917. Postage cost? One cent.

Bob Steindl of Pompano Beach, Fla., submitted this postcard of The York Fairgrounds, York, Pa.

Bob Steindl of Pompano Beach, Fla., submitted this postcard of York Manufacturing Co. Largest Plant in the World, devoted to building ice making and refrigerating machinery exlusively. York, Pa.

An interesting post card bird's-eye view of Felton that we received. We are using it in our new book, which we hope to have ready by December. The postcard was postmarked 1917.

Wrightsville Bridge Postcard. No. 9 -Columbia Pa. Bridge destroyed by Cyclone, Sept. 29th, 1896.

This is the northwest quadrant of the Square in the early 20th century. Goodridge's building is in the middle.

Picture perfect postcards tell us a lot about our past. Here, we learn how many York countians cooled off about a century ago. This 1924 postcard depicts the former Farquhar Park Pool, or Boys’ Club Pool, in York. Check out this gallery of colorful postcard scenes from way back!

The Chateau Motel, U.S. Route 30 -- 4 miles east, York, Penna. Pub. by Mellinger Studios, Lancaster, Penna. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

Colonial Hotel, York, Penna. Pub. by York News Agency, York, PA. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

Dutch Village Motel, Route 111, York, Pa. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

New grandstand and race track on York Fair Ground, covering more than 80 acres, York. Pa. Pub. by York News Agency, York, PA. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

York's leading insurance agency, Roy L. Geesey Publisher: Nationwide Advertising, Tyler, Texas Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

The Modernaire Motel, U.S. Route 30 -- 3 miles east, York, Penna. Pub. by Mellinger Studios, Lancaster, Penna. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

Myers Motel, U.S. 30 -- 2 1/2 miles west, York, Pennsylvania Pub. by Mellinger Studios, Lancaster, Penna. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

U.S. Post Office, York, Pa. Pub. by York News Agency, York, PA. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

A 1910 postcard shows the York Security Building and Courthouse. The souvenir is from the so-called golden era of postcards, when people couldn't communicate by telephone, but the mail ran three times a day in big cities.

Queen Hotel, 200 South Queen St., York, Pennsylvania Pub. by Mellinger Studios, Lancaster, Penna. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

Spheel Grund Motel Pub. by Mellinger Studios, Lancaster, Penna. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

Hap Miller's "Truck Town" Restaurant Pub. by Mellinger Studios, Lancaster, Penna. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections

Some couples enjoy time at York’s USO canteen at the old York County Academy gymnasium on North Beaver Street. This postcard touted the USO’s hospitality as home away from home for World War II servicemen. In 1943, Judge Walter I. Anderson served as chairman of the committee overseeing York County’s USOs. Margaret Swartz served as director of the North Beaver Street USO.

Y. M. C. A. building, corner. No. Newberry and West Philadelphia Streets, York, Pa., erected 1925 - 26 at a cost of over $800,000. Pub. by York News Agency, York, PA. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. Postcard from Boston Public Library collections