York Springs, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
York Springs is a borough in Adams County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 574 at the 2000 census. York Springs is served by the Bermudian Springs School District
(http://www.bermudian.org/).
The land upon which the Springs was built on a tract owned by the Wiermans. When first settlements were made, the original building conformed to the plan of too many of the older taverns and housed only fifty guests. The later building was erected partly on the old foundation about 1790. A cross wing or section in the rear made a perfect T formation. A colonnade extended along both sides of the main building, forming delightful balconies. The hotel was beautiful, most attractive and symmetrical. The lawns, walks, rustic bridges and arbors were kept in perfect condition. Not only the lawns but the nearby woods were swept with brooms.
Arnold Gardner and Charles Kettlewell first leased and later bought York Sulphur Springs from the heirs of Robert Oliver and it was during their nine years of ownership that the place reached the height of its popularity. One-hundred-fifty guests could be accommodated, but at times the hotel was so crowded that rooms had to be secured at nearby farm houses for guests.
From records of the Hamilton and Dill families, we find that General George Washington and his wife Martha did spend some time at the Springs during the summer of 1799 when John Hamilton was proprietor of the place. This was the last summer of the old General's life as he died the following winter.
Bowling, croquet playing, dancing, and drinking from the famous spring were the amusements for the guests. The water was very unpalatable but highly medicinal in value. An analysis showed that it contained 20 parts Epsom salts, 6 parts gypsum, 4 parts common salt, and the balance sulphur. This sulphur vein extends as far as Wierman's Mill and is especially noticeable in very warm weather.
The first balloon ascension in Adams County was made from York Sulphur Springs for the entertainment of its many guests.
The main building survived the others for some years but was finally destroyed by fire January 8, 1896. Donald Miller's stone bungalow is built on the exact site of the old hotel so famous nearly two hundred years ago. After railroads were built, the Springs popularity decreased rapidly and finally the numerous buildings that made up the site fell into decay and gradually disappeared.
Although the information for York Sulphur Springs exists within what is considered the boundaries of York Springs, the existing information now encompasses Latimore Township. In the last decade there has been a large increase in the Hispanic
population, with workers from Mexico
coming to the area to work in the local apple orchards.
York Springs previous names were: York Sulphur (Sulfur) Springs and Petersburg.
Sally Vance, President
Jeffrey L. Shull, Vice-President
Melissa Smith, Secretary
Doug Deibler
Bob Megonnell
Noel Potter
Building Permit/Zoning Officer
Wayne Wolf
Engineer
William F. Hill & Associates
Mayor
Alford Shull
Municipal Authority
Roy Williams, Jr., Chairman
Melissa Smith, Secretary
Andrew Aeppli
Gerald McCauslin
Dale Pifer
Michael Tipler
Planning Commission
Vacancy, Chairman
James Landis, Vice Chairman
Wayne Staley, Secretary
Richard Batley
Dennis Petrick
Police Chief
Andrew J. Hansen
Sewage Enforcement Officer
James T. Lehman
Water & Sewer Authority
York Springs Municipal Authority
Roy Williams, Jr, Chairman
Solicitor
Borough
Stanley Laskowski
Municipal Authority
P. Daniel Altland
Tax Collector
Donna Kapper
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²), all of it land.
The United States Postal ZIP code is 17372. The local telephone exchange prefix is 528.
of 2000, there were 574 people, 186 households, and 129 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 2,836.0 people per square mile (1,108.1/km²). There were 213 housing units at an average density of 1,052.4 per square mile (411.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.77% White, 0.35% African American, 1.22% Asian, 3.31% from other races
, and 0.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.56% of the population.
There were 186 households out of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples
living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.42.
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $41,250, and the median income for a family was $41,071. Males had a median income of $28,173 versus $24,583 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $14,379. About 9.5% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of those age 65 or over.
Adams County, Pennsylvania
Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 101,407. It was created on January 22, 1800, from part of York County and named in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 574 at the 2000 census. York Springs is served by the Bermudian Springs School District
Bermudian Springs School District
The Bermudian Springs School District is a small, rural, public school district created in 1970. Bermudian Springs School District encompasses approximately 75 square miles. The district includes the Boroughs of East Berlin and York Springs, as well as the village of Idaville, Huntington Township,...
(http://www.bermudian.org/).
History
York Sulphur Springs, the first summer resort in Adams County, was patronized by persons from Philadelphia and Baltimore who came to the resort by stage coach.The land upon which the Springs was built on a tract owned by the Wiermans. When first settlements were made, the original building conformed to the plan of too many of the older taverns and housed only fifty guests. The later building was erected partly on the old foundation about 1790. A cross wing or section in the rear made a perfect T formation. A colonnade extended along both sides of the main building, forming delightful balconies. The hotel was beautiful, most attractive and symmetrical. The lawns, walks, rustic bridges and arbors were kept in perfect condition. Not only the lawns but the nearby woods were swept with brooms.
Arnold Gardner and Charles Kettlewell first leased and later bought York Sulphur Springs from the heirs of Robert Oliver and it was during their nine years of ownership that the place reached the height of its popularity. One-hundred-fifty guests could be accommodated, but at times the hotel was so crowded that rooms had to be secured at nearby farm houses for guests.
From records of the Hamilton and Dill families, we find that General George Washington and his wife Martha did spend some time at the Springs during the summer of 1799 when John Hamilton was proprietor of the place. This was the last summer of the old General's life as he died the following winter.
Bowling, croquet playing, dancing, and drinking from the famous spring were the amusements for the guests. The water was very unpalatable but highly medicinal in value. An analysis showed that it contained 20 parts Epsom salts, 6 parts gypsum, 4 parts common salt, and the balance sulphur. This sulphur vein extends as far as Wierman's Mill and is especially noticeable in very warm weather.
The first balloon ascension in Adams County was made from York Sulphur Springs for the entertainment of its many guests.
The main building survived the others for some years but was finally destroyed by fire January 8, 1896. Donald Miller's stone bungalow is built on the exact site of the old hotel so famous nearly two hundred years ago. After railroads were built, the Springs popularity decreased rapidly and finally the numerous buildings that made up the site fell into decay and gradually disappeared.
Although the information for York Sulphur Springs exists within what is considered the boundaries of York Springs, the existing information now encompasses Latimore Township. In the last decade there has been a large increase in the Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
population, with workers from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
coming to the area to work in the local apple orchards.
York Springs previous names were: York Sulphur (Sulfur) Springs and Petersburg.
Local government
Borough Council:Sally Vance, President
Jeffrey L. Shull, Vice-President
Melissa Smith, Secretary
Doug Deibler
Bob Megonnell
Noel Potter
Building Permit/Zoning Officer
Wayne Wolf
Engineer
William F. Hill & Associates
Mayor
Alford Shull
Municipal Authority
Roy Williams, Jr., Chairman
Melissa Smith, Secretary
Andrew Aeppli
Gerald McCauslin
Dale Pifer
Michael Tipler
Planning Commission
Vacancy, Chairman
James Landis, Vice Chairman
Wayne Staley, Secretary
Richard Batley
Dennis Petrick
Police Chief
Andrew J. Hansen
Sewage Enforcement Officer
James T. Lehman
Water & Sewer Authority
York Springs Municipal Authority
Roy Williams, Jr, Chairman
Solicitor
Borough
Stanley Laskowski
Municipal Authority
P. Daniel Altland
Tax Collector
Donna Kapper
Geography
York Springs is located at 40°0′25"N 77°6′51"W (40.006865, -77.114066).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²), all of it land.
The United States Postal ZIP code is 17372. The local telephone exchange prefix is 528.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 574 people, 186 households, and 129 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,836.0 people per square mile (1,108.1/km²). There were 213 housing units at an average density of 1,052.4 per square mile (411.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.77% White, 0.35% African American, 1.22% Asian, 3.31% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.56% of the population.
There were 186 households out of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.42.
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $41,250, and the median income for a family was $41,071. Males had a median income of $28,173 versus $24,583 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $14,379. About 9.5% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of those age 65 or over.