York County History
York, known as the White Rose City (after the Wars of the Roses), is a city located in South Central Pennsylvania. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,358 km² (910 mi²). 2,343 km² (904 mi²) of it is land and 15 km² (6 mi²) of it (0.64%) is water. The county is bound to its eastern border by the Susquehanna River. Its southern border is the Mason-Dixon Line, which separates Pennsylvania and Maryland.
York County (population 339,574) was created on August 19, 1749 from part of Lancaster County and named either for the Duke of York, an early patron of the Penn Family, or for the city and shire of York in England. Its county seat is the city of York.
With more than 250 years of tradition, historic York County blends charming local customs with the beauty one of Pennsylvania's richest farm regions. The county, nestled in the rolling farmlands of south central Pennsylvania, offers activities for every interest, from golf and museums to cultural attractions and wineries and from factory tours to great shopping for antiques, hand-made crafts and fantastic bargains.
Historically, York served as America's first capitol-home to the Continental Congress from September 1777-June 1778. Area museums provide glimpses into areas such as timekeeping, weight lifting, agriculture, Native American life and the unique world famous Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Museum. But, if history doesn't interest you there are plenty of other things to see and do. Check out our parks where you can hike, fish, swim, picnic or just relax.
The nearby Susquehanna River makes York County one of the top boating and board-sailing areas in Pennsylvania. Or try golfing at any of our numerous golf course. We have skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and almost every other recreational activity you can think of.
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