AREA HISTORY:  Yorkana, Lower Windsor Twp., York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2004.  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.
_______________________________________________ 

Page 731

THE TOWNSHIP OF LOWER WINDSOR

YORKANA

From Beard's tannery to the Lutheran and Reformed Church, a distance of about 
three miles on the York and East Prospect road, are a large number of fine 
country homes.  Many of these residences are now, and make quite an attractive 
appearance.  Nearly midway between the two places mentioned is the site of 
"Kauffelt's Store."  This place, for nearly a hundred years, went by that name, 
and has been a center of interest and importance in the township for more than a 
century.  At Kauffelt's Store was the place for annual muster and battalion 
parade of militia days.  These parades, like all other militia parades, were 
enjoyed by large and motley crowds, more intent on frolic and roystering than 
improvement in military discipline.  A few years ago the property changed hands 
and the mercantile business is now conducted by J. B. Budding & Bro.  By the 
request of Dr. J. W. Barcroft, now of Washington, D.C., the postoffice has been 
given the name of Yorkana.  It is seven miles distant from York.

Early in the present century two men, one named Miller and the other Jacobs, 
each platted a town here.  One place was called Millerstown and the other 
Jacobstown.  Miller succeeded in selling a few lots, and a small collection of 
houses in the vicinity was for many years given the name of Millersville.  Only 
recently has the name Yorkana been given to it.

In October, 1818, the Harrisburg Republican advertised fourteen lots in 
Jacobstown, and forty lots and ten outlets in Millerstown, to be sold in that 
city for the direct tax of 1816, which had not been paid by the non-resident 
owners.  Both of these men upon laying out their towns had disposed of the lots 
by lottery.  This plan of originating a town was very common about the year 1812 
and a few years later.


BEARD'S TANNERY

The only tannery now in Lower Windsor is located just beyond the stream called 
"the head of Kreutz Creek", on the road from York to East Prospect.  It has long 
been known as Beard's Tannery.  It was started about eighty years ago by Daniel 
Hengst, of whom Frederick Burg purchased it and conducted the business until he 
sold it to Joseph Beard.  In 1836 John E. Beard, Esq., began the business, and 
continued nearly forty years--Frank and Harry Beard were the proprietors.  The 
present firm name is John E. Beard & Son.  The bark used is from the chestnut-
oak still obtained in the adjoining woods.


EVANGELICAL CHURCH

The frame church which now welcomes the surrounding populace of Yorkana within 
its doors was built by the Evangelical Association in the year 1867.  The first 
trustees were Joshua Heindel and Philip Mitzel.  Another church stood upon the 
same site for forty years.  At present a large Sunday-school regularly meets 
here.  Rev. E. Crumbling is pastor of Millersville Circuit, including this and 
other churches.  B. Frank Beard is the superintendent of the Sunday-school.  The 
church membership is eighty-five, and the number of pupils in the Sunday-school 
is 150.