Murals of York, Pennsylvania facts for kids

The Murals of York, Pennsylvania are awesome paintings on the sides of buildings in York, Pennsylvania. They were created between 1996 and 2002. These murals were paid for by local donations. They show cool facts about people, businesses, and traditions in York. Plus, they make the city look even more beautiful! The York County History Center helps take care of these mural images.

History of the Murals

In the 1990s, some people from York visited a town called Chemainus in Canada. This town had murals that brought in lots of tourists. The York group thought, "Hey, maybe we could do something like that here!" So, they started the York Mural Project.

There are 18 big murals and many smaller ones. Each mural tells a story about York's history. The first big mural was painted in 1996. It showed the Harley-Davidson motorcycle plant. The first mini-mural was painted in 1998. The last mural was finished in 2002. What makes these murals special is that they show less-known people and events from York's past. Money for the project came from donations by local businesses and people.

Artists painted the murals during the day using scaffolding. For the mini-murals, artists used an overhead projector at night to trace drawings from a book by Lewis Miller. Then they painted them during the day.

To make the murals last, a special base coat called Dryvit was put on the walls. Then, outdoor house paint was used, followed by a clear protective coat. This clear coat helps protect the murals from weather and graffiti. Most murals are expected to last about 20 years. Some are already starting to fade.

After 20 years, the building owners become responsible for the murals. A program started to help building owners work with others to keep the murals looking good. The York County History Center has photos and records of all the murals.

Lewis Miller Mini Murals

Lewis Miller was an artist whose drawings show what life was like in York in the 1800s. He even drew funny pictures, like one of Mrs. Schreck, who had super long toenails! Artists Justine Landis and Lori Straup turned Miller's drawings into mini-murals.

These mini-murals are funny but also show serious parts of 19th-century life. Some even have Miller's original writing in both German and English. Many people in York spoke German back then. One mural shows Miller working in his carpentry shop. Miller had hundreds of drawings, and a committee chose which ones to turn into murals. The mini-murals are smaller than the other Murals of York. You can find some in Cherry Lane park and on the side of the Central Market house. There are 16 mini-murals in total.

Four Chaplains

This mural honors the Four Chaplains who bravely gave their lives to save others during World War II. The four men at the top of the mural are George L. Fox (Methodist), Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed), Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), and John P. Washington (Roman Catholic). Alexander D. Goode lived in York.

A rope connects their portraits, showing their love and peace together. A life raft hangs from the rope, representing the life rafts they gave up for others. In the middle, the chaplains are faintly shown linking arms, as if rising to heaven. The bottom of the mural shows the icy waters where their ship sank. This mural helps us remember their amazing act of bravery.

Community Contributors

The Community Contributors mural is like a layered cake, showing different ways people help the community. The first layer features important people who did great things. For example, Samuel Small helped start the York Collegiate Institute, which is now York College of Pennsylvania. A.B. Farquhar was a leading businessman and helped the Union during the Civil War. Josephine N. McClelland was a teacher who helped start the YWCA and fought for women's rights. John C. Schmidt was a businessman who helped create the first York Bank and the local American Red Cross chapter during World War I.

The second layer shows how the community works together in areas like arts, education, healthcare, and sports. It also honors several past leaders who made a big difference. The third layer highlights various services like fire stations, churches, and libraries that help the community. The background of the mural reminds us that people in York have been helping each other for over 250 years!

Dr. George Holtzapple

This mural celebrates Dr. George Holtzapple, a very smart doctor from York. The artist, Wayne Fettro, painted this mural to show Dr. Holtzapple's achievements. On the right side, you see Dr. Holtzapple and his invention. He was so clever that he found a way to give air to a 16-year-old boy who couldn't breathe.

In 1885, Dr. Holtzapple, who had been a doctor for less than a year, got a call about this boy with pneumonia. The boy desperately needed air. Dr. Holtzapple tried an experiment to create oxygen, and it worked! He became famous for this new treatment for pneumonia. His invention was even used to help soldiers who suffered from gas attacks in World War I. The left side of the mural shows Dr. Holtzapple and some facts about him. This mural, which is 25 feet wide and 16 feet high, was finished in October 2000.

The Children's Home

The Children's Home mural tells the story of over 100 years of caring for kids in central Pennsylvania. It started as an orphanage founded by Samuel Small and run by Mary Sitler Cooper. It helped white children whose families were affected by the Civil War. Over time, it opened its doors to all children in need.

Today, counselors, mentors, and foster parents care for children of all ages and backgrounds. They help kids connect with the community through public schools, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the YMCA. The Children's Home has grown and now has a new building in Springettsbury Township.

The left side of the mural shows Civil War orphans. To the right, you see Samuel Small, the founder. Further along are a teacher, a girl, a boy, and another boy on a rocking horse. Behind them, three children run towards the right. On the far right, you see the current building, built in 1990. A man with a child points to the right, showing hope for the future. The Children's Home is known for helping those in need and making their lives better. Artists Don and Jared Gray finished this 80-foot-wide, 18-foot-high mural in September 2000. You can find it at 132 South George Street.

William Goodridge

William C. Goodridge was a hero who helped people escape slavery through the Underground Railroad. He was born into slavery in Baltimore, Maryland, but later became a successful businessman in York. He risked everything to help others find freedom.

The right corner of the Goodridge mural shows William as a baby with his mother, and then as a young boy. William was freed in 1822. After that, he opened a five-story building and a barbershop in York Centre Square. Once he was free, he started helping other enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad. Artists Don and Jared Gray painted this mural to honor him.

The mural, which is 24 feet wide and 23 feet high, was finished in June 2000. It was created to show that if you are determined, you can achieve great things, just like William Goodridge. He inspires us all!

York Goes to War: A Community Responds

This huge mural, 28 feet high and 80 feet wide, is on the north wall of Bell Socialization Service on South George Street. Michael Webb was the artist who painted it in August 1999. The "York Goes to War" mural shows how the community of York came together during World War II.

During the war, York's factories made weapons and supplies. Many men went to fight, so women stepped up and took over the factory jobs. This changed the role of women and made them even more important in the community. People in York often said, "Do what you can with what you have." Even though York was a small community, they did a lot! York received special flags from the government, which you can see in the mural. These "E flags" stood for excellence and pride in the work York contributed to the war effort.

The Articles of Confederation

This mural, finished in 1999, is located at 166 West Market Street. It shows members of the Second Continental Congress meeting in York to discuss the Articles of Confederation. These Articles were rules for the 13 colonies to follow. Many men spent a lot of time deciding what should be in them. The Articles of Confederation were sent to the colonies for approval in 1777 and became the nation's first Constitution.

The mural highlights the important role York played in creating this document. The mural is 21 feet wide and 20 feet high. David Naydock from Pottsville brought this special moment to life.

York Fair

Artist Alan Wylie completed the York Fair mural in 1999. It is 120 feet wide and 24 feet tall. The mural's panels show how the York Fair has changed since it first began in 1765. The fair continues to grow and now includes a petting zoo with cows, pigs, and bunnies. There are also games, rides, concerts, fireworks, and other fun entertainment. The fair happens every September.

While most people don't ride horses to the fair or march in a parade anymore, many still enjoy the special activities. One year, over 700,000 people attended the fair! You can see this colorful mural on East Market Street near Duke Street.

York in the 1880s

The artist of the "York in the 1880s" mural is C. Michael Svob. This mural shows what life was like in York during the 19th century. It features special landmarks and lets you see what they looked like back then. Some landmarks include the National House, the White Hall Hotel, the City Market House, and Codorus Creek. York's population grew a lot during the 19th century, and people's creativity also blossomed. The mural is 60 feet wide by 20 feet high. You can find it at 237 West Market Street on the East Wall.

Muscletown USA

This mural was finished in August 2000 and painted by Max Mason. It is 27 feet wide and 22 feet high. It was created because Bob Hoffman was known as the "Father of Weightlifting," and the York Barbell company is very famous. Bob Hoffman also gave land to the YMCA to create a branch in Dover. In the mural, you can also see famous weightlifters like Tommy Kono and John Grimek. You can find this mural at 37 West Philadelphia Street in York.

York Manufacturing Company

This mural was finished in 1995 and painted by Dan Hendrix. It is 32 feet wide and 35 feet high. It was painted because York Manufacturing was a very important company in York. They made machines that created ice. The mural shows a huge wheel that was part of a machine used to keep things cold. You can find this mural at 150 Roosevelt Avenue in York.

Made In York

This mural was finished in 1998 and painted by David Nadyock. It is 17 feet wide and 17 feet high, making it a square. The mural features a Pullman car. These cars were made right here in York! The company started in 1903 and closed in 1917. They were known for making a unique six-wheeled car. You can find this mural at 243 West Market Street in York.

From Farm to Market

This mural was finished in 1997 and painted by Marion Stephenson. It is 32 feet wide and 26 feet high. The mural shows fields and the market where people sold the things they grew. The market in York started way back in 1755. The Central Market in York is still open today, and people still go there to buy fresh goods! You can find this mural at 36 North Beaver Street, across from the York Central Market.

The Harley-Davidson Tradition

This mural was finished in 1996 and was the very first one painted in the Murals of York series! It was painted by Michael Svob. The mural is 34 feet wide and 26 feet tall. It's all about Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The company came to York in 1973 and used a factory that used to make bombs and bowling balls. The mural shows motorcycles in downtown York, a race called the Jefferson Hill Climb, and people working on motorcycles. You can find this mural at 258 West Market Street in York.

The History of Pottery

Located at 50 North George Street, this mural by Michael Webb was finished in 1998. It is 70 feet wide and 24 feet high. The mural highlights the importance of the Pfaltzgraff Company in York. This company started in 1811 and is the oldest commercial pottery maker still operating in the United States! The mural includes some of Pfaltzgraff's most famous designs, a timeline of their products, and pictures of how pottery is made. The artist even painted a drainpipe on the building to look like a flagpole in the mural!

The Power of the Printing Press

This mural was finished in 1999 and painted by Alan Wylie. It is 28 feet wide and 20 feet high. The mural is about printing in York. The Continental Congress used the printing press a lot when they were in York. They needed things printed to help get support for their fight against the British. York's first newspaper was the Pennsylvania Gazette, which was published from December 20, 1777, to June 20, 1778. You can find this mural at 223 North George Street in York.