AREA HISTORY:  New Paradise, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2006.  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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THE VILLAGE OF NEW PARADISE – Page 716

New Paradise, which has about 200 inhabitants, is located on the York & Baltimore Turnpike, 
about five miles from York and two miles from Loganville, in the northern portion of 
Springfield.  The first house of this town was built by John Snyder, in 1837.  It is still 
owned and occupied by him.  He at one time was the owner of nearly all the land upon which the 
town is built, he sold it off in lots and encouraged building, but did not covet the honor of 
having the town called after himself.  When a church was dedicated in 1862, and named Paradise 
Evangelical Church, by Rev. Adam Ettinger of York, who officiated at the dedicatory services, 
the citizens appropriated this name and called their town New Paradise.  No better name could 
have been selected, thought they, until they applied for a postoffice in 1881 and found that 
“Uncle Sam” already owned such a place in Pennsylvania, whereupon the singular name of 
“Jacobus” was selected and Dr. J. S. Miller, now of York, was appointed postmaster.  Frank 
Geiselman for the past few years has filled that position.  Jacob Geiselman for many years kept 
a store.  Eli Krout is now the merchant of the village.  Dr. E. P. Rohrbach is the physician.  
The manufacture of cigars is an important industry, and about fifty workmen are employed in the 
various factories, owned by D. M. Loucks (now deputy revenue collector), Jamen Smith, George 
Shafer, Pius Olp, Pius Snyder, Frank Krout and Daniel Fortney.