The Neighborhood of Springdale
In 1982, The Neighborhood of Springdale booklet was published by the SNA. Thirty years passed until it was updated for the second printing in 2011. Today it is still provided at no cost in a welcome packet for every new neighbor. Click the link to download a free copy of this important neighborhood history booklet which brings to life the families who created the area's two largest estates, Brockie and Springdale, during the 19th century. Our gratitude to those involved in the publication: The Honorable Richard E. Kohler, author and editor; G. Rohier, cover logo design, and Ottmar Carli, text illustrations, with editorial assistance from Mrs. Robert P. Turner, Mrs. Elizabeth "Betty" Schonauer, and the York County History Center.
Construction
In 1898, Harry S. Ebert opened his first Real Estate and Insurance office in the Ebert Building, 10 West Market Street. In 1900, Mr. Ebert, in partnership with A. M. Hake, formed the firm of A. M. Hake and Company for the purpose of erecting homes to be sold to workingmen.
Over a period of thirty years, they built and sold sixteen hundred homes in York and York County. As the business expanded, the A. M. Hake Company also sold crushed stone for street paving and concrete for building purposes. This firm was dissolved in 1933.
Prior to this time, Charles L. Rodgers had entered the Ebert office as clerk. In 1925, he became a partner in the Real Estate and Insurance business. The firm's activities consist of the development and improvement of real estate for dwelling purposes. Their first real estate development laid out as "Eberton" has become West York Borough. The development of the Laucks' Tract, Tremont and Market Streets, followed. The Hersh Farm, known as Springdale, one of York's finest restricted residential sections; Manor Hill, to the south of Mt. Rose Avenue, and many other smaller tracts were successfully handled.
Both Mr. Ebert and Mr. Rodgers are associated with the development and furtherance of the Central Market House, one of the oldest and finest farmers' markets in York County. Mr. Ebert holds the office of president and Mr. Rodgers is secretary and treasurer of the company.
The firm of Ebert and Rodgers, now located at 56 West Market Street, has enjoyed nearly half a century of high respect and friendly dealings with all of its many acquaintances. Mr. Ebert has been associated with the Drovers' and Mechanics' National Bank of York, Pennsylvania, for over thirty- eight years. --Excerpt from The Story of a Dynamic Community, York Pennsylvania by Betty Clock Peckham
In 1898, Harry S. Ebert opened his first Real Estate and Insurance office in the Ebert Building, 10 West Market Street. In 1900, Mr. Ebert, in partnership with A. M. Hake, formed the firm of A. M. Hake and Company for the purpose of erecting homes to be sold to workingmen.
Over a period of thirty years, they built and sold sixteen hundred homes in York and York County. As the business expanded, the A. M. Hake Company also sold crushed stone for street paving and concrete for building purposes. This firm was dissolved in 1933.
Prior to this time, Charles L. Rodgers had entered the Ebert office as clerk. In 1925, he became a partner in the Real Estate and Insurance business. The firm's activities consist of the development and improvement of real estate for dwelling purposes. Their first real estate development laid out as "Eberton" has become West York Borough. The development of the Laucks' Tract, Tremont and Market Streets, followed. The Hersh Farm, known as Springdale, one of York's finest restricted residential sections; Manor Hill, to the south of Mt. Rose Avenue, and many other smaller tracts were successfully handled.
Both Mr. Ebert and Mr. Rodgers are associated with the development and furtherance of the Central Market House, one of the oldest and finest farmers' markets in York County. Mr. Ebert holds the office of president and Mr. Rodgers is secretary and treasurer of the company.
The firm of Ebert and Rodgers, now located at 56 West Market Street, has enjoyed nearly half a century of high respect and friendly dealings with all of its many acquaintances. Mr. Ebert has been associated with the Drovers' and Mechanics' National Bank of York, Pennsylvania, for over thirty- eight years. --Excerpt from The Story of a Dynamic Community, York Pennsylvania by Betty Clock Peckham
Springdale Historic DistrictThe National Register of Historic Places is the primary vehicle for identifying and protecting historic resources in the United States.
As a project undertaken by the SNA Board in collaboration with Karen Arnold of Historic York, Inc., the Springdale Historic District (neighborhood) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Springdale is NOT considered a LOCAL historic district and is NOT subject to HARB regulations (see info right). The National Register serves as a planning tool for federal agencies. Its essential purpose is to identify, rather than to protect the historical and cultural resources of our nation. As a result, listing on the National Register is primarily honorific, meaning that it does not impose substantive restraints on how a private property owner may use his or her property. Click here for more details on the benefits of listing on the National Register. The Springdale Historic District is locally significant for its early-twentieth century architecture and for its development as a suburban community within the City of York. The period of significance begins with a c.1888 Victorian Eclectic carriage house constructed for Springdale developer Grier Hersh and ends in 1950, the fifty-year guideline for significance in the National Register program. The residential development grew slowly beginning late in the decade of the 1900s and reached its peak of growth during the decade of the 1930s. Its architecture includes Colonial Revival, Neoclassic Revival, Tudor Revival, French Eclectic, Spanish Eclectic, Italian Renaissance Revival styles, Prairie and Craftsman styles. Springdale was comprehensively planned; the developers provided buyers with specifications on the size and cost of homes to be built. The district contains many architect-designed buildings. The Springdale Historic District provides a good example of an early twentieth century, upper, middle-class suburb that developed during the period that marked the rise in popularity of the automobile. —Excerpt from the NRHP nomination form prepared and submitted by Karen Arnold, Historic York, Inc. |
Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB)The purpose of the City of York's Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), is to regulate the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of buildings within the (local) historic districts (as designated by York City Council).
HARB is much misunderstood. It is a LOCAL historic district, which is separate from the National Register Historic District. (Most residents will have no contact with the National Register district regulations, unless government money, tax credits, or a government agency is involved in their project.) HARB is only an advisory board to City Council - all decisions rendered must receive a majority vote of Council, or they do not stand. Although Council votes in favor of most HARB decisions, Council has overturned HARB in the past, on both major and minor issues. HARB is composed of 7 regular and 3 alternate members, appointed by City Council. Of those members, 1 member must be recommended by the York County Heritage Trust, 1 member must be a registered architect, 1 member must be a licensed real estate broker, and 1 member must be a building inspector. Four members must be residents of / or property owners in the City of York, and all members must have demonstrated interest or related expertise in historic buildings. If you live in the HARB District and are proposing to do any exterior work which is visible from a public street or alley, you must receive HARB approval before undertaking the work even if a permit is not required. HARB has a paid consultant, currently JMT, who reviews all applications and writes a review of each application for the Board to consider. HARB is constantly trying to streamline its process and many items are now either exempted or are dealt with as “staff reviews” and do not have to come before the HARB Board at all. Furthermore, the consultant is constantly available to advise anyone on what the HARB Board will be looking for from each application. A brief history: HARBs were authorized in Pennsylvania by the “Historic District Act” dated July 13, 1961. York City Council established York’s HARB by ordinance in 1970, and its second in 1975. A larger HARB district, which encompasses the first two, was established in 2002. The York Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. |