AREA HISTORY: Borough of York, Markets, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ History of York County, Pennsylvania. John Gibson, Historical Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. _______________________________________________ MARKETS – Page 521-523 According to George Stevenson’s letter dated 1754 to Richard Peters, secretary of the province of Pennsylvania, giving a description of the town of York, there were then two markets held in the town, which at that time contained 210 dwelling houses. John and Richard Penn, by their lieutenant-governor, Robert Hunter Merris, granted the first chartered privilege of holding markets in the town. The date of their charter for this purpose is recorded as the “eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty- five. This grant of privilege states that the inhabitants of the town of York, in the new county of York, are become so numerous that they find it necessary to have a public market established within the said town of York, for the better supplying and accommodating them with good wholesome provisions, and other necessaries, under proper regulations.” It then, “upon the humble request of the inhabitants of York, grants and ordains that they and their successors shall and may forever thereafter hold and keep within the town, in every week in the year, two market days, the one of Wednesday and the other on Saturday, in such commodious place or places, as is, shall or may be, appointed for that purpose.” Another clause of the charter reads thus: “And we do hereby appoint John Meem, of the town of York, to be the first clerk of the market, who, and all succeeding clerks, shall have assize of bread, wine, beer and other things, with all powers, privileges, and immunities, by law belonging to such office.” The custom of holding markets on Wednesday and Saturday in the center square of York, has been kept up without cessation since 1750. Soon after the completion of the Continental Court House in 1754, near it a market house was built which stood for nearly a century. The present market house, on the eastern part of Center Square, was built by Jacob Dietz in 1842, and that on the western part of Jacob Gotwalt in 1844. The Farmers Market – An act of assembly passed on January 31, 1866, with the following-named persons as incorporators: Jacob Baer, John Winter, Israel Laucks, C. F. Winter, John H. Baer. The name of this corporation was entitled “The Farmers’ Market of York.” The rapid growth of the borough west of Codorus Creek demanded a market house in that section. The capital stock was limited to $30,000. At an election held in the store of Christian Bender, on January 14, 1867, a board of managers was chosen consisting of Daniel Kraber, Frederick Baugher, Martin Emig, John Winter, Israel Laucks, Philip Eichelberger and Samuel Smyser. This board soon afterward organized by electing Frederick Baugher, president; Daniel Kraber, secretary and Israel Laucks, treasurer. This market at once became a great success, being long before needed. It was twice enlarged, until it has reached its present size, being a conspicuous building on the corner of West Market and Penn Streets. Markets are held regularly on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, and well attended by people on both sides of the Codorus. The present number of shares issued is 336 at $50. No market in the town is better supplied, and its interests and importance are increasing. The adjoining lot, known as the Pentz property, was purchased for $3,800 in 1880, giving an opportunity of increasing the building eastward if desired. The York City Market – On a gentle rise of ground to the east side of South Duke Street, stands the York City Market Building. Descriptive writers have a fondness for exaggeration, a feature entirely avoided in this work; but it can be truthfully be said that this building is the most artistic and ornamental of any one of its kind in the State of Pennsylvania. It is located in a portion of the town which has made rapid strides in the line of improvement within the past few years. Nothing has contributed more to effect this valuable result, than the erection of this market house. The old characteristic log-cabins, built by the first settlers of South Duke Street, soon gave place to the handsomely constructed and ornamental brick buildings that are now there. The southern portion of the town having extended its limits, a special desire for establishing a market was felt, which gave rise to a meeting of enterprising individuals, July 16, 1878, on the eligible spot where the building now stands, which for nearly a century and a half previously had been used as a Lutheran burying ground, in which there were a great number of tombs; these were removed to Prospect Hill Cemetery. The meeting organized at the time by electing Dr. W. S. Roland, president. It was at the same time decided to purchase one-half a square of land 250x230 feet for $16,725, and form a company of thirteen directors. At an adjourned meeting the same evening, a permanent organization was made with the following board of directors: president, Dr. William S. Roland; vice-president, James A. Dale; secretary, Charles F. Sechrist; treasurer, Henry Winter; Daniel Keller, George Daron, Z. K. Loucks, Frank Geise, John S. Hiestand, E. D. Ziegler, P. W. Keller, Henry J. Gresly and Frederick Flinchbaugh. The board still contains the same number of directors. The officers have never been changed. The following-named persons have taken the place of some of the members of the original board: N. Lehmayer, Charles H. Stallman, Benjamin Kissinger, John Burg, James B. Welsh and Henry Bulk. Immediately after organization and the purchase of the land, steps were taken for the erection of a building. J. A. Dempwolf was selected as the architect, and his plan adopted. The building, as it now stands, is 225 feet long and 80 feet wide. The inner height of the sides is 25 feet, and the center 65 feet. The architecture is of Gothic style. The open timber roof of excellent Virginia pine, is of most beautiful design. The building is surmounted by a well- proportioned tower 140 feet high, from the belfry of which is afforded a most delightful view of York and the surrounding country. The building committee under whose direction it was constructed, consisted of James A. Dale, David Keller, Frank Geise and the architect; Jacob Seachrist was the carpenter; Philip Odenwalt, bricklayer and James S. Bayley, slater. The bricks used were of the best quality made in the vicinity, and the slate from the Peach Bottom quarries. The building was completed and opened for marketing purposes on April 29, 1879, when there was a large attendance. Its cost was $27,000; entire amount invested is $40,000. The capital stock, as allowed by charter, is $30,000. The shares are $25 each. The number of butchers’ stalls is forty-eight; of farmers’ stalls 255. Nearly all are now rented. David Trout was the first market master. He was succeeded by the present one, David Becker. Markets are regularly held on Tuesday and Friday mornings, and Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. The Saturday afternoon market is the largest.