The Predictable Past: The York County Race Riots Preview

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York Historical Society

Welcome and thanks for joining us on this walking tour that discusses the race riots that took place in York, Pennsylvania. Begin at the Historical Society.Play Video

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York Rail Trail

The Rail Trail links York, Pennsylvania to Maryland. This linked Pennsylvania's businesses, economy, and people to Maryland. The two states became intertwined with one another, which allowed for southern ideals to travel North. http://www.maparailroadhist.org/history.html

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William Penn High School

Throughout 1968, there were various incidents or disturbances that occurred within York that led to the 1969 riots. Some of those events happened in William Penn, the high school that resides in York City. For example, Dr. Levy details a "mini-riot" that occurred following a football game between William Penn and Cedar Cliff High, which was a predominately white school from Camp Hill. Fans began fighting and the fighting continued into downtown York, which led to more violence. (1)After the riots, tensions within York remained. In 1970, a fight began in a hallway between one white and black student. This fight occurred due to the white student questioning the black student's relationship with a white female student. This escalated a day later when 200 whites arrived outside the school with "baseball bats, clubs, and chains, and perhaps guns." Once the police arrived, they accepted the whites account, utilized the K9 Unit, and arrested several blacks. This led to Mayor Eichelberger declaring a state of emergency, closing all schools, and creating a curfew. (2)A few days later, William Penn opened once again. However, "three white students" were detained for "possessing a gun." It was determined that the student who had possession of the gun was the "son of a city council member." This student was taken into custody, but he was not "charged with a crime." (3)Peter B. Levy, The Great Uprising (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2018), 257-258.Levy, The Great Uprising, 290.Levy, The Great Uprising, 291.

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Penn Park

Penn Park, as well as the surrounding area, was known to many York residents as a dangerous area within the city during the race riots. There are several accounts of violent attacks with bricks, shootings, shots being fired, and vehicle damage. Although this area was known for the disorder that occurred here, many are also aware of this specific location because of the events that transpired which led to the death of Officer Henry Schaad. Officer Schaad was dispatched in "Big Al," an armored vehicle, on July 18, 1969, to Pershing and College. Approaching the conflict, rifle shots struck the armored vehicle and Officer Schaad was shot. He was wounded and passed away on August 1, 1969, due to these wounds. United States District Court For the Middle District of Pennsylvania, March 31, 1970.

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Salem Square - optional

Many residents of York can recall the National Guard tanks within the city.

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Farquhar Park

After July 18, 1969, the night Officer Schaad was wounded, violence within the city continued. The mayor, John Snyder, called for a state of emergency and imposed a curfew on July 19. Tensions continued to build and violence ensued. On July 20, 1969, a rally was held in Farquhar Park. This was the rally where several people say they heard Officer Charles Robertson shout "white power."

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Farquhar Park Continued

These two benches, one dedicated to Henry Schaad and the other for Lillie Belle Allen, are the only items within York that seek to remind the residents of York County of the race riots and the events that led to their deaths.

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Location of Lillie Belle Allen's Murder

This marks the location where Lillie Belle Allen was murdered on July 21, 1969. Allen was in the car with her family visiting from South Carolina. As the car approached the railroad tracks, the family spotted a group of white residents and proceeded to turn around. As they turned around the car stalled on the railroad tracks. Lillie Belle Allen got out of the car to drive and shots were fired. Lillie Belle Allen was shot and fell to the road, while her family hid in the car.

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York County Judicial Center

After 32 years of silence, Allen and Schaad's murders were finally heard in court. In 2001, the York County Courthouse, which was later replaced by the judicial center (see link below), heard the cases and determined the verdict. Check out: https://yorkblog.com/yorktownsquare/york-countys-judicial-center-opened-10-years-ago-can-you-believe-it/

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Charrette Location 1970

1970 continued with ongoing violence that rolled over from 1968 and 1969. However, there was hope that the white and black communities could come together to address the ongoing issues that York residents faced. The Charrette, a council for the community, was approved and it sought to solve inner city issues by meeting to discuss the main issues and collaborating on how to improve these issues. For example, one issue that many wanted to address was the inappropriate use of the K-9 Units.

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Return to the York Historical Society

Thank you for joining us for this walking tour!If you have any questions or concerns, please ask your guide or visit the historical society.