AREA HISTORY:  Borough of York Annexations, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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ANNEXATIONS – Page 520

About the year 1814 a considerable addition (but within the limits of the 
borough) was made to the town of York.  The heirs of John Hay, deceased, owning 
sixty acres and some perches in the northern part of the borough, laid the same 
out into lots after the manner of the rest of the town, extending the streets 
and alleys north through the tract and laying out an entirely new street (called 
Water Street, the second of the same name) running nearly east and west.  The 
lots were sold by the heirs to the highest bidders, and the amount of the sum 
received therefore was $25,000.

The area of the borough remained unchanged for more than half a century.

On May 7, 1883, by an action of the court of common pleas, 142 acres and 130 
perches situated south of the town, belonging to Spring Garden Township, were 
annexed to the borough.  This is now rapidly improving, and at the time of its 
annexation contained a large number of handsome residences.  The western annex, 
including an area of 424 acres and seventy-two perches, belonging to West 
Manchester Township, became a portion of the borough April 21, 1884.  The 
northeastern annex, containing an area of forty acres and 109 perches, was added 
to the borough January 16, 1885.

The West End Improvement Company was chartered December 15, 1884, with a capital 
of $70,000.  Its officers are:  President, Capt. William H. Lanius; treasurer, 
C. S. Weiser; secretary, Smyser Williams; directors, Edwin Brillinger, Frank 
Geise, E. R. Herr, David Rupp, John Fahs, R. H. Shindel, W. H. Lanius, D. K. 
Trimmer and Smyser Williams.  Capt. Lanius purchased several tracts of land 
which were laid out with streets, and many fine dwelling houses built.  This was 
admitted into the borough with the “western annex,” which included Bottstown and 
Smysertown.

There are a number of suburban homes noted for their beauty and comfort.  Among 
them are “Brockie,” residence of the late Judge Black, “Willow Bridges,” the 
home of Lieut.-Gov. Chauncy F. Black, and the delightful summer residences of 
George and W. Latimer Small, and A. B. Farquhar.