AREA HISTORY:  New Parke, 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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NEW PARKE – Page 761

This is a hamlet in Fawn, near the Maryland line.  There was a Presbyterian 
Church built here in the year 1847, and Rev. Mr. Parke who had many years served 
the congregations at Centre Church and at Slate Ridge determined to organize a 
new congregation.  The attempt was only partially successful.  The frame 
building was moved a short distance from its original position, and, in 1882, 
began to be used by John Morgan Jenkins as a store.

The postoffice was established December 2, 1878, and John B. Gemmill appointed 
postmaster.  

Jimmy McCandless, farmer, teacher, poet, justice, tavern keeper and fiddler, 
lived near New Parke, and was a person whom every one knew three-fourths of a 
century ago.  He taught “Centre Church School” for many years.  He was a member 
of Centre congregation and owned a pew in a prominent place in the church.  His 
neighbor Brooks, who owned a pew behind his, became his enemy.  McCandless built 
the back of his pew so high that his neighbor could not see the minister while 
preaching.  Neighbor Brooks finally appealed in the sessions who ordered the pew 
lowered.  McCandless was a jovial sort of an individual.  He failed in business, 
removed to the West and wrote a letter in rhyme to the sheriff who seized his 
property.

Col. Colvin, of Lower Chanceford, and John A. Wilson, late of York, many years 
ago, were at one time prominent teachers of Fawn.

Bald Eagle Postoffice is in the northeastern part of the township and 
Constitution Postoffice, established during the civil war, in the southeastern.