Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Taken: Circa 1916
Caption: Birdseye View of Penn Common, York, PA
Additional Description: Postcard No. 25912 published by Fair & Square Bargain House, York, Pa., reads “Penn Park. Long known as ‘The Commons.’ Given by Penn’s heirs, 1741. First embraced 20, then 16 acres. Early used as public pasture ground. Then by circuses, Militia musters and ‘Squire’ Baxton. Used by ‘Mad’ Anthony Wayne and his soldiers in Revolution; 7,000 soldiers encamped upon it in 1814 for assistance and defense of Baltimore. First York County Agricultural Fair held upon it in 1853. From 1861–5 used by soldiers and by government hospitals; 14,000 sick and wounded soldiers treated, of whom several hundred died and were buried on a plot in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument 60 ft. high erected on it in 1898. Many other improvements made. A large public library may be placed on its site in near future. —Dr. I. H. Betz.”
Submitted: March 6, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Database Locator Identification Number: p17905
File Size: 5.264 Megabytes

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