AREA HISTORY:  Hanover Improvements, York County, PA

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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NOTED IMPROVEMENTS – Page 578

Early in the present century the work of paving the sidewalks with flagstones or 
brick was begun, although there was no regularity of grade or width, and at many 
places there were no pavements at all.  But as the town grew, the people 
becoming more prosperous became more progressive.  On the 14th of April, 1838, 
the residents of York Street presented a petition to the town council, asking 
for better pavements.  Consequently, May 5, 1838, the council passed an 
ordinance, decreeing that all lot-holders on York Street, from Dr. Hinkle’s (now 
Metzger’s corner) to John Kroh’s property (fourth lot beyond third alley), both 
included; and on the other side (north side) from the corner to the house of 
Frederick Gable (now Lewis Michael’s), both included; and on Baltimore Street, 
from the house of Christian Wirt (now Wentz & Overbaugh’s corner) to that of 
Peter Shultz (now Middle Street), and from George Gitt’s (now J. W. Gitt’s) to 
Gerhard Yost’s (now Samuel Shutlz’s), were to pave their sidewalks at a uniform 
grade, the pavements to be laid with brick or flagstones, not less than four 
feet in width, from the gutter.  Carlisle Street asked for a similar ordinance 
in 1841, and the request was granted, the ordinance fixing the limits from D. 
Barnitz’s (now Bucher’s corner of the square) to Rev. Jacob Albert’s (now George 
D. Klinefelter’s) and from Jacob Metzger’s (now Grumbine & Brockley’s) to Mrs. 
Danner’s (now John S. Young’s).  We are unable to find any record of the paving 
ordinance of Frederick Street, but the points above given will enable the reader 
to fix the built up limits of the borough, about forty years ago.  These limits 
had been so far extended in 1851, that the pavements on Carlisle Street were 
ordered to be laid as far as the borough line, and on Baltimore Street as far as 
the residence of Adam Forney (now Michael Strubinger’s).

In 1872, while L. F. Melsheimer was chief burgess, the streets and pavements of 
the borough were thoroughly regraded; all the streets were macadamized, and the 
pavements relaid at a uniform grade and of the width of twelve feet.  Since this 
date the roadways and sidewalks have been kept in good repair, and during the 
past few years iron bridges have been placed over the gutters crossing the 
streets, and iron foot bridges at the street crossings.  It is now the boast of 
the people of Hanover that no city or town in the State possesses better 
pavements or move level and solid streets.  The beautiful fountain which 
ornaments the square was a gift to the town by Mrs. Jacob Wirt, A. W. 
Eichelberger and Jacob Forney.  The total assessed valuation of real estate for 
the borough of Hanover, in 1883, was $1,009,711.