Early Dallastown
Our small town of Dallastown dates back to a little over one hundred years. It has many interesting facts and history. In the next few paragraphs you will learn about Dallastown's early organizations, schools, newspaper, bands, the fire company, Dallastown was named after, and other interesting facts. Dallastown was named in honor of M. Dallas from Philadelphia. He was the vice-president under the Polk Administration.
There were two Dallastown school buildings built on West Main Street. The second one was damaged by a fire and rebuilt into a two-story brick structure, then later replaced with a one-story, three-roomed building. A fourth room was added in 1890. In the spring of 1898 the first class in Dallastown High School graduated from this building. There were eleven students in this class.
The "Dallastown Advocate" was founded by Daniel K. Taylor in 1894, who has been the proprietor and editor since then. This is the only Dallastown newspaper.
There were many organizations in Dallastown during the late eighteen hundreds. One of them was the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) which was founded on September 4, 1891.
The Dallastown baseball team was founded in the 1890's. Some of it's great players included: Andy Thompson, Jimmy Landis, Chance Orwig, Curvin Dietz, Phil Riedel, Palmer Diehl. Martin Ridel was tragically killed by being hit with a pitched ball.
Mr. Oran Flinchbaugh organized the boy scouts in the late 1800's. The first Dallastown Band was organized in 1861. Adam Kohl led the Cornet Band which was organized in 1862. Before World War II a German Band (led by Floyd Slenker) was organized. This band was very active in the town's public affairs. And finally one of the most important organizations: the Dallastown Fire Company. Many devoted citizens of Dallastown met on March 4, 1892 and established this life saving organization.
Did you know the first council meeting of Dallastown was held on September 22, 1866. Dallastown was built 655 feet above Seal Level. The first election was held on September 18, 1866. The first Chief Burgess was F. S. Heisler.
Now you know that Dallastown's Fire Company was established in 1892, that there were many great players on Dallastown's Baseball Team, one of them tragically killed. You know about the advocate, Dallastown's only newspaper. You know many other interesting facts about Dallastown, and there are still more to learn.
