About York

Otherwise known as the "White Rose City," York, Pennsylvania, has roots in English heraldry dating back to the Tudor Dynasty. York can claim a fact that no other city in the nation can: York, Pennsylvania, was the first capital of the United States of America. It was here that the Articles of the Confederation were drafted as was the first National Day of Thanksgiving recognized as a holiday.

York, Pennsylvania, is home to many firsts: As new Americans crossed the Susquehanna River, York became the first city to have an organized Lutheran church, the first to employ the use of stones in house-building, and the first city to have the first doctor who "discovered" oxygen. York is about 25 miles south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and 60 miles north of Baltimore, Maryland. York falls in the Eastern Standard Time zone and is a little over 5 square-miles in total area. On average, York's hottest moth is July, its coldest month is January, and its wettest month is May.

The city is located in York County and is also the county seat. York's economy is based heavily on small businesses. The town offers incentives for established and start-up firms. York has a business networking community known as the "York Business Academy." The group is a compliment to the Entrepreneurial Support Alliance. York is a small town with extra-large aspirations.

York is steeped in history. A walk through the downtown district is highly advised, as is window shopping its many specialty shops. Historicity also finds an outlet for expression in the Fire Museum of York, a venue that showcases firefighting artifacts; the Bonham House, a restored Victorian once owned by Horace Bonham; the Industrial Museum of York County, a place chronicling the industrial past of York; and the Police Heritage Museum.

Lodging in York is plentiful. The Heritage Hills Golf Resort offers an onsite spa, fitness center, and golf course. The Yorktowne Hotel is a 3.5-star property and offers several conveniences that can be added to your room — refrigerator, microwaves, turn-down service — upon request. Other accommodations can be found around town close to attractions that work for a variety of itineraries.

Written by Michael Paul Maupin