AREA HISTORY:  Bigmount, 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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BIGMOUNT – Page 685

This village is situated in a thickly settled, highly productive region in the 
northern part of the township near the border of Dover and the Big Conewago 
Creek.  The name originated with Emanuel C. Beck, who, in 1860, kept the village 
store, when Shearer & Lake made their map of York County.  They asked for a name 
to designate the place, whereupon he gave “Bigmount” after a village by that 
name in Iowa.  It was printed on the map, and the place has since been known by 
that name.  It is located on a moderately elevated large mound, of nearly 
circular shape, with a commanding view of the surrounding country.  The land 
here was taken up under a warrant issued by the proprietaries of Pennsylvania in 
the year 1750, December 8, to Peter Craver.  It was conveyed to different 
persons from that date until 1837, when John S. Trimmer, at present a highly 
respected citizen of the village, purchased the surrounding farm, and in 
partnership with his brother, opened a store in a small room adjoining the farm 
house.  They continued two and a half years, and John S. Trimmer alone conducted 
a prosperous business for twenty years longer, so that even now the familiar 
name of “Trimmers’ Store” is frequently applied to the place.  His successors 
were:  E. C. Beck, Christian Raffensberger, Jacob Kochenour, Miller & Fickes, J. 
O. Goodling and Isaac Glatfelter.  Clement G. Trimmer has been the proprietor of 
the store during several years past.  This interesting little hamlet is located 
on the Canal Road extending from York Haven to Abbottstown and contains about 
fifteen houses, most of them in excellent condition.  The public school building 
is a convenient brick structure.  It has a cupola and bell.