Just a girl writing in the blogging ring
These vintage vehicles begged to be photographed. I couldn’t resist; the owners weren’t home, but I left my card in their door.
Click on the first thumbnail to open photo gallery. Enjoy!
Loved the look of this old Mack Truck!!
Enjoyed these old car photos? Check out my junkyard photo shoot here—–>http://girlboxer1970.com/2013/03/05/junkyards/
Thanks for stopping by my blog! ~P.
On my second trip to my friend’s cabin, I made a stop at this road side station to check out the fire truck. It’s a Mack truck and while I didn’t look for an exact date, I’d guess it is from the 1960’s. If I’m wrong and someone knows, write it in the comments! 😉
The old pumper truck is in bad shape. If someone had intentions of restoring this once beautiful truck, now wrecked and rusting away, they never got around to to.
The vintage Pepsi machines and gas pump was cool to see also.
Click the first thumbnail to open the gallery…Enjoy! ~P.
I was out late this afternoon snapping some photos as the sun was setting. I had my eyes on a few particular buildings, but I am easily distracted by anything that looks out of the ordinary. Some might say in York, that is everything.
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Just a little slice of York through my camera lens. A big thank you to the complete stranger who told me I dropped a $20 bill walking across Jo-Jo-Ma’s Polish Sausage parking lot. He could have said nothing and in less than a minute, been twenty bucks richer.
Who says people aren’t honest?!
~P.
Saint Patrick Catholic Church 2013
The outside of this church is stunning! I would like to return to take photos of the inside.
The detail put into this church is amazing. For instance…fancy rain spouts!
Click on the first thumbnail to open the photo gallery. Enjoy! ~P.
A random decision to stop at Jo-Jo-Ma’s on Roosevelt Ave was a pleasant experience. The restaurant is a bustling place of patrons, picking up orders to go, or just sitting with friends, enjoying a meal and beer. Neither Dale or I knew a single person, but as we relaxed at our table, enjoying the rambunctious nature of the place, people we knew entered through the door. We also met Antonio, who said he was the previous owner of Jo-Jo-Ma’s and also had owned Soap-N-Suds laundromat. I have no idea if he was telling the truth or just messing with me, but either way, he was happy to chat.
While I am far from fluent in Spanish, I could pick-up on conversations while we were eating. One gentleman left, but before exiting, he surprised his friends when he “compró tres jarras de cerveza para sus amigos!” or in English…hooked his buddies up with three pitchers of beer! That brought a rousing cheer and everyone was happy singing along with the jukebox, eating, drinking and being merry.
Live without fear…York has many restaurants worth stopping in for a taste of their home-cooking!
Oh, and their fried chicken is the bomb! ~P.
We loved the chicken stromboli!!!
How cool is that stone fireplace?
As the sun sets and we were still safe after dark.
I’ll admit it, I’ve never been to Penn Commons in my life. That changed last night. I’ve heard the stories of people being robbed, attacked, shot, etc. in the park area, but I’m a risk-taker. Interestingly, when I approached the Soldiers & Sailors monument with my camera in hand, the group of young men sitting nearby quietly walked or rode their bikes away from the lens. 😉
The Soldiers & Sailors monument is a striking sculpture in the round, the bronze work done by Bureau Brother’s Bronze Founders.
“In 1898 the towering Soldiers & Sailors statue, designed by the noted York-based Dempwolf architectural firm, was dedicated.
To this day, it remains the most visible York-area commemoration to those who served in the Civil War.”
In the parks glory days.
“Shortly after the erection and dedication of the Solders and Sailors Monument June 15, 1898, the Order of Elks erected a rockery at a cost of $2,200. Vandals beheaded the elk in 1987, and, after receiving an estimate of $18,000 to repair it, the City of York decided to remove it.”
What a shame this had to be removed. If it is still hidden away, perhaps it could be restored and placed back in the park, on top of a high, nearly impossible to climb, column,
CREEPY WELCOME
2013
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After exhausting every angle of the monument, I noticed a tiny stone house nearby and in shambles. Dale and I began taking guesses at what this house could have been used for. “It has a chimney so someone must have stayed inside.” Dale pointed out. It did have a chimney and did look like a miniature, well-made house. I guessed it was the park’s caretaker house, so tiny, it must have been prison-like to sit inside. Dale and I were both wrong.
“This blocky building in York, Pa.’s, Penn Park is weather beaten or, well, just beaten up. But when the Penn-Coates Memorial appeared on the cover of its dedication brochure on Sept. 25, 1926, it was a welcome sight. “The Common … was secured by gift from John Penn and John R. Coates, who, by their deed dated June 11, 1816 granted … the inhabitants of the Borough of York a certain tract or lot of land containing about 20 acres … and now used as a public common,” according to the dedication pamphlet. John Penn was the last proprietary governor of Pennsylvania and John Coates was his agent.”
“The grant also included two lots for a Potter’s Field, a burial ground for the indigent of the community. That land along College Avenue eventually became the location of the original Hannah Penn Junior High School and is now the parking lot and playground for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. The brochure says the concept for the building came from a group of men who did not like the “small shanty used by Patrolman Charles F. Carr” that was in the park. “It was often remarked by the Penn Commoners that the cop should have better quarters than the humble shanty.” The Penn Common Community Association was formed to fund and build a new police station and rest area for the public. The $20,000 to build and furnish the structure was secured by public subscription.”
“The upper room of the building is for use as a public rest room and reading room. The police doing duty on the Common have desk and telephone in the rest room. A washstand and first aid equipment are there. The basement is equipped with a public convenience to be used under certain restrictions to be enforced by the policeman in charge.” (Back then “rest room” would have been just that, a place to rest. “Public convenience” would have been what today is called a “restroom.”) The columns and the plaques are no longer on the building.”
Circa: 1926
Penn-Coates Memorial 2013
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Is there any hope this building might be restored to its former glory before it crumbles? ~P.
References Jim McClure http://www.Yorkblog.com
Changes are taking place in York City everyday, some for good and some not so good. It saddens me to see the beautiful architecture rot away.
Click on the first thumbnail to see the changes in York! Thanks for stopping by my blog…~P.
Original York Jail Castle 1853.
York County Prison Post 1906
The old prison looked to be secure, but I had no intentions of entering. Well, perhaps if the gate had been open and the door unlocked….
The structure is fierce in nature, but nature is over-taking this stately building. Any structure left unattended will eventually be consumed by Mother Nature. The visual effects of this take-over are stunning.
The photos from outside the prison are mine. The ones from inside were done by http://www.scottfrederickphotoblog.com in 2012.
Click the first thumbnail to open the photo gallery. Enjoy! ~P.
A day in Inner Harbor with my camera, three bottles of water and a ham sandwich was my goal. During the drive I decided to stop at Hunt Valley and take the light rail. I hadn’t been on the light rail in years, and never with the thought to just jump off at any stop to take pictures. This is why I love solo adventures. I can be completely unpredictable, and I don’t mind.
“Welcome” said the invisible operator.
Get your ticket from Girlboxer
Solo Ride
I paid the $2.20 student fare, excited to get this journey moving forward. A young man was walking through aisle, picking up litter. There really wasn’t much to pick up. I asked him how long until the train leaves and he said there was a 15 minute lay-over. So much for getting back on the move. Why not entertain myself with taking photos?
To view the thumbnails at full size and for best quality, click the first and a gallery will open.
I hopped off at a random stop. The old Fire House caught my eye. The building beside the fire house had a strange, art-deco look. It didn’t exactly fit in with the rest of the architecture. I loved the iron-work on the bridge.
From the train windows, this abandoned building caught my eye, but I didn’t check it out.
I missed the Camden Yards train stop because I was texting Dale. I was happy to walk for a bit before getting to the Harbor. The light fixtures, stained glass windows and mailboxes are always an interest to me.
My first view of Inner Harbor. Nice cop car–Maryland cops must not eat donuts.
I was just beginning my walk, making it to the harbor around 1 PM. It was a hive of activity but not so packed I couldn’t move around and take leisurely photos.
The harbor in three shots
This marble rolled around on the fountain.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Pretty cool stuff.
RANDOM PHOTOS OF PEOPLE AND THINGS
I Heart Inner Harbor Maryland
The U.S.S. Constellation
“In 1968, the ship was moved to the inner harbor where she served as the centerpiece of the city’s revitalization effort. Lack of maintenance funds, however, led to significant dry rot over the next two decades, resulting in a 36-inch hog in her keel and severely damaged her structural integrity.
In 1994, her rigging was removed and she was closed to the public. A new Constellation Foundation raised the funds needed for a major renovation project and the repaired sloop-of-war returned to her permanent berth in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on 2 July 1999.” http://www.historicships.org
- Constellation 1797
Currently under construction is a monument in memorial to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City.
Piece of the Twin Towers and future memorial sight in Baltimore.
Plaque in front of Barnes & Noble
When Lightship 116 “Chesapeake” was completed in 1930, she was among the most modern and capable ships in use with the US Lighthouse Service.
1930
Chesapeake 2013
The ship was equipped with two 5,000-pound mushroom anchors (one main and a spare) designed to hold her on station in all but the roughest weather.
Beautiful View
Crab art
Hard Rock Cafe stair rails.
Phillip’s Restaurant
Baltimore Pumping Station
This building was just beautiful. Amazingly, it was built to house shit. Baaaahahahaha! Go figure. I rang the buzzer and some employees answered the door. I asked if I could come in and take pictures. They asked why and I said I thought it would make for good photographs. That was good enough for them and they were happy to have a distraction from the shit…I mean their work.
Outside the Sewage Pumping Station
Love these old time lights
The US Coast Guard Cutter TANEY
“Commissioned on 24 October 1936, TANEY was first home ported in Honolulu, Hawaii, where, until the outbreak of World War II, she interdicted opium smugglers and carried out search and rescue duties from the Hawaiian Islands through the central Pacific Ocean. On 7 December 1986, after more than 50 years of continuous service, TANEY was decommissioned at Portsmouth, Virginia, and donated to the City of Baltimore to serve as a memorial and museum.” http://www.historicships.org/taney.html
Taney 1930’s
Many mini doors in Baltimore
The USS Torsk
“Commissioned on 16 December 1944, USS TORSK was built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and was one of only ten Tench Class fleet type submarines to see service in World War II. Decommissioned on 4 March 1968, with an impressive record of over 10,600 career dives, TORSK arrived in Baltimore to serve as a museum and memorial in 1972.”
2013
1944
The Star Spangled Flag House and Museum
I came across The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and it seemed deserted. I gave myself a personal tour and took pictures without having to fight a tour group. I copied this information from their website. Entry is $8 but yesterday for me, it was free.
“Here, you’ll step into living history as you meet Mary Pickersgill, the spirited woman who made the flag. You’ll learn first-hand from Mary, her family and friends what life was like in the 19th century and your kids can take part in activities that let them experience it for themselves. And you can do it all in a half day, with little strain on your entertainment budget.” http://www.flaghouse.org
Saint Anthony Mosaic
Beer on the go
Who wants to clean windows?
Pirates of the Harbor
Cleaner of the Harbor
Guess where I ate.
Bird blends in but lacks the proper uniform.
I came across several abandoned buildings during my endless walk. Most were secure and I couldn’t get in and they had the windows covered in paper. One was not secure so I just walked in, but it wasn’t that exciting and there were no steps to the basement. The second set of photos is of a bar that looks like it had been abandoned but is being renovated. I’d like to go back when it’s complete!
- Phone book at the front door. The side door was hanging open.
- Dramatic looking rotting wood with the pristine church steeples in the background.
- Several layers of wallpaper
- Beautiful bar
This pet will be easy to locate in case of fire.
This church was right behind the dilapidated store front building. Quite the contrast.
I ended my day hanging out at Patterson Park with my friend, Steve, and his daughters. They live nearby and Steve was happy to come give me a guided tour of the enormous park. There was a man-made lake, open for fishing and wildlife. Trails for people jogging, biking or walking dogs. The coolest thing at Patterson Park was The Pagoda building.
“The Pagoda, originally known as the Observatory, was designed in 1890 by Charles H. Latrobe, then Superintendent of Parks. While known as the Pagoda because of its oriental architectural appearance, the design was intended to reflect the bold Victorian style of the day. From the top of the tower one can view downtown, Baltimore’s many neighborhoods, the Patapsco River, the Key Bridge and Fort McHenry. Over time and due to natural decay, vandalism, and lack of maintenance funds, the Pagoda was closed to the public in 1951 when the first of a series of partial renovations was attempted. At one point demolition was proposed as an option, but thankfully the 1998 Master Plan for Patterson Park called for the complete restoration of the Pagoda.” (http://pattersonpark.com/places-in-the-park/pagoda/)
The Pagoda 2013
“On Hampstead Hill, the ridge where the Pagoda now stands, Baltimoreans rallied on September 12, 1814 to protect the city from the threat of a British invasion. By water, British troops entered the Patapsco River and bombarded Fort McHenry. By land, they amassed forces at North Point. As they marched on to Baltimore and looked up to Hampstead Hill they saw Rodger’s Bastion – including 100 cannons and 20,000 troops. This sight led the British to return to their ships and leave the Port of Baltimore.” (http://pattersonpark.com)
- Spiral steps
- What could the cage have been for?
- View from the canon
Now I wouldn’t have thought of using the fountain in this matter…
My guides
Unlike Philadelphia, PA, Marylanders are not welcome to swim in the fountains.
Small but mighty
As the day became night, I wrapped up taking a few last pictures before Steve dropped me off safely at the Light Rail to head back home. By the end of this day trip, my feet were in agony and my toes felt like over-filled sausages. I couldn’t wait to get home and kick off my sneakers!
The edge of the water was disgusting.
The tracks back home
Old water fountain
albino!
A great day in Baltimore, Maryland! I like to move around town as much as possible. ~P.
There is always activity at Ski Round Top located in Lewisberry, PA. That mountain isn’t just for skiing anymore. My stop there over the weekend was brief, just to check out what activities were available when there wasn’t snow on the ground. I liked what I saw. So did my daughter Tesla, and we have plans to make it there before school starts again for her and me.
What we found most interesting was the huge balls they were rolling down the mountain. People climb inside and go for a roll. There was screaming and screeching coming from inside the balls, but those sounds were of enjoyment. People couldn’t get back to the top fast enough to do it again!
Also included in the “Trek Ticket” is zip lines. That is second on my list to do. I’ve never zip-lined or rolled down a mountain in a ball.
I snapped a few random photos of things that caught my eye. Enjoy by clicking the first thumbnail to open the gallery. ~P.
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