Dallastown 1950 - Present
Dallastown was once a sleepy little town. But it has grown and spread throughout the years. A once small street is no longer just a street but has grown into a major community. This paper includes some of the most important, memorable, and exciting things to ever happen in this town. It is not just a street, it is Dallastown.
"The most memorable event to occur in Dallastown since 1950 would have to be president Lydon Johnson's visit to the borough in September 1966. Johnson was invited to help commemorate Dallastowns 100th anniversary," quotes Mr. Chris Reilly, form Dallastown Mayor.
"Most everything back in the 1950's was farm land, but now everything is strip malls and grocery stores," exclaimed Mr. Bill Hess, a Dallastown resident.
"Dallastown has dramatically changed since 1950. What was once a sleepy little villiage of Victorian homes and small shops has become a major York county thorough fare, due to route 74. Dallastown is also a much more residential community than it was fifty years ago due to the advent of Suburban shopping malls," recalls Mr. Reilly.
"Most of the development of the small town happen in or around the 70's, Dallastown grew from a small town to what it is today," comments Mr. Don Delancy, a long time Dallastown resident.
"Dallastown in the 1950's offered many small town activities for residents to enjoy. There was an annual fair that drew people from all around York County to Dallastown (the fair is no longer held). The Dallas Theater on Main Street was in its heyday, organized and sandlot baseball, and the many churches in town enjoyed a high degree or participation in religious activities," explains Mr. Chris Reilly.
"Two of Dallastowns biggest political events were President Johnson's visit in 1966 and a visit by the political figure William Jennings Bryan, he was a democratic president nominee in the 1890's," commented Mr. Hess.
"The two biggest political events to happen in Dallastown were President Johnson's visit in 66' and my being elected as the youngest mayor in Dallastown's history at twenty-six in 1989," proclaims Mr. Reilly.
"Back in the 50's if you asked how many people lived on a farm at least half of the people would have raised there hand, but these days your lucky if you find one," quotes Mr. Delancy.
"One of the fun things I remember from the earlier days of Dallastown was a place where we hung out a lot, the post office, it was an old house that was converted. One room there was candy and soda for sale and there was another with a pool table, it was a fun place to be," explained Mr. Delancy.
"Another thing I think about when you say Dallastown in the past was the dollar. You could walk in the grocery store, even though they were all small, and you could bring a dollor or two and walk home with your arms filled with grocery's," recalled Mrs. Deborah Gobel. "Dallastown is changing in more ways than one. One of the biggest changes I have seen is the family unit, the house hold. This is not a physical change really but it is a mental change. It isn't just Dallastown but all over the country. Families aren't spending the time together that they used to. They aren't playing games together. They aren't sitting down to dinner, this isn't necessarily bad, just different. I think kids are trying to become more independent," replied Mrs. Gobel, a resident in Dallastown District.
"Back in the 50's and the 60's there was no fast food places. Until finally a McDonald's opened, you would .12¢ for a hamburger and .15¢ for a cheese burger," quotes Mr. Hess.
One of my worst experiences I have ever had with Dallastown was the 1994 snow storm that dumped about four feet of snow onto the borough. Of course it was no fault of the town but we literally had no place to put the snow once it had been plowed. As mayor, I was responsible for seeing that the streets and sidewalks were cleared. It was a tough time and one I never want to relive," tells Mr. Reilly. "Dallastown in the future will face many challenges. It isin danger of losing its small town character as society becomes more decentralized and people become more transient. Dallastown also has a small tax base due to its geographic limitations and must continue to find creative ways to provide quality services to residents, such as police and fire protection at a low cost. It is going to be a real struggle for Dallastown to maintain its reputation as a desired community to live in, but it can be done." explained Mr. Reilly.
Dallastown has a bright and colorful past, filled with memories and stories. This town has changed the lives of many and has become a bustling community. But can it up hold its small town feel, we all hope it can. Hopefully this special little town can have such an impact, on many generations to come.
