Mazda Car Dealer Near York, PA

History of York

The city of York was founded in 1741 by settlers of German and Scots-Irish descent. It was named after the English city of York and served as a temporary capital for the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1778. York is the birthplace of the Articles of Confederation which was the first document to refer to the colonies as the United States of America. Because of this fact, York is often referred to as the first capital of the United States by its native residents, despite it generally being considered by historians to be the fourth official capital, following Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Lancaster. The York settlement was officially incorporated as a borough in 1787, and 100 years later, in 1887, its title was upgraded to city.

During the American Civil War, York, a Union territory, was briefly occupied on the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg by the Confederate Army in 1863. In that time, Major General Jubal Anderson Early demanded and collected an abundance of money and supplies from the citizens of York. The occupation only lasted 3 days before Early’s army moved on, when new orders from General Robert E. Lee came in following the burning of the Susquehanna River Bridge by Union troops. York’s most famous contribution to the Union’s success in the war came in the form of medical aid at the York U.S. Army Hospital. The hospital was located on Penn Commons and provided aid to thousands of Union soldiers wounded in battles such as Antietam and Gettysburg.

After the conclusion of the Civil War, York continued to grow culturally and economically. While agriculture remained a large part of the economy in the area, the city of York also made moves to become more industrialized. These included the mass production of steam engines, railroad manufacturing, and papermaking. Throughout the 20th century, there was a spike in the popularity of companies like The York Motor Car that produced Pullman Automobiles, and Pfaltzgraff that established a pottery factory that remained in business until 2005. York continues to thrive today with various redevelopment efforts including the construction of Santander Stadium in 2007.

Food and Entertainment in York

Being that it is such a large and popular area, York has no shortage of entertainment and fun ways to spend your day. If you are interested in the rish history that made York into the city it is today, then you will be pleased with the vast selection of museums and historic sites this city has to offer. You can learn a decent bit about its formation and progression at the York County History Center. You may also be interested in the Agricultural & Industrial Museum, where you can learn about the development and economic progression of York as it grew from a humble agricultural settlement into the illustrious city we all know and love today. Visitors and locals can also enjoy a walk through York’s Old Town Historic District. This area is great for those who want to directly immerse themselves in the city’s historic charm. If you are looking to explore the more unique cultural side of York’s history, then you will definitely enjoy the York Barbell Hall of Fame. York Barbell is a fitness product manufacturer that originated in York and remains a thriving business today. The York Barbell Hall of Fame museum takes you on a journey through the history of weightlifting in America and the company’s influence in the sport. Another source of cultural intrigue unique to York is the Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations Tour Center & Gift Shop. You can tour the factory and learn about AMF’s (American Machine and Foundry) move to York in the 1960s and the introduction of the first Harley Davidson motorcycle in 1973.

York also offers various outdoor activities for all of the nature-lovers out there. The Heritage Rail Trail County Park runs along the Northern Central Railway for 21 miles through the southern part of York County. The path allows for various activities including hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Another great place in the area to enjoy the natural beauty of south-central Pennsylvania is the Samuel S. Lewis State Park. Located just east of York, this park is full of different landscapes to explore. If you can make it to the top of Mt. Pisgah, you will be rewarded with some truly incredible views. There is also the Nixon Park Nature Center that combines nature and history with various trails and a museum for those looking to learn more about the local wildlife and the natural history of York County. And, for those who enjoy being out on the water, Lake Redman is a great place to relax on a nice day.

York is very diverse in the entertainment it has to offer. No matter your age, you will not be bored in this amazing city. Need to occupy the kids? Take them over to the Timeline Arcade to play games and win prizes. When the weather is nice, you may also enjoy taking the family to the Wisehaven Swimming Pool or catching a game at PeoplesBank Park. In the colder months, you can get the family or some friends together and spend the day snow tubing at AvalancheXpress. There is something to do in every season here in York. If you are interested in experiences that showcase York’s unique local charm, you should check out The Belmont Theatre. There, you can enjoy various productions or get even more involved by taking lessons or auditioning for upcoming shows. York truly has all the perks of a big city, while still maintaining its unique charm.

You must be thinking, “there can’t possibly be more to this phenomenal city!” But we haven’t even gotten to, arguably, the best part of any city, the FOOD! There’s no better way to start your day than with some hot coffee and classic breakfast specials at places like the Colonial Coffee Shop, Molly’s Courtyard Cafe, and the Astoria Diner. After a morning spent exploring the shops in downtown York, you are bound to have worked up an appetite. Grab some lunch at the ROOST Uncommon Kitchen or The Fig & Barrel Pub, both of which come highly rated by the local community. York also has a variety of popular local breweries. Get yourself a nice meal and try some of our unique local brews at establishments like Old Republic Distillery, Crystal Ball Brewing Company, Liquid Hero Brewery, and the York County Ale Trail; all perfect places for lunch or dinner with friends. If you are in the area with a partner or friend looking to have a nice night out, places like Tutoni’s Restaurant and The Handsome Cab Restaurant & Wine Bar have just the right amount of elegance to class up your evening. Tutoni’s lower level, however, offers a different vibe with its King George Speakeasy, where you can experience a taste of York’s nightlife. In addition to that, there are many popular spots that comprise the bar scene in downtown York. Some of which include the Holy Hound Taproom, the First Capital Dispensing Company, and the Revival Social Club. With so many different options, York is guaranteed to satisfy your hunger, both for food and socialization as well.

Fun Facts About York

• York is known as the White Rose City, named for the official symbol of the House of York in England. The town even had a minor league baseball team that held the name, The York White Roses for multiple decades.
• For the first forty years of the 19th century, U.S. census reports had the borough of York ranking within the top 100 most populous urban areas in the nation.
• In 1832, Phineas Davis created the first “coal-burning locomotive,” for which he received $4,000 from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. His coal-burning steam engine would go on to replace the less efficient wood-burning versions.
• The medical practice of giving oxygen to patients was originally discovered by Dr. George Holtzapple, a doctor at York Hospital, in 1885. He had a young patient with pneumonia who was determined to have not been receiving enough oxygen. With a combination of various compounds, tubing, water and heat, he was able to manually fan the concoction onto the patient providing him with the oxygen he needed to recover.
• One of the first employees of the famous fitness product manufacturer, York Barbell, was a weightlifter named Tony Terlazzo. In 1936, Terlazzo was the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in weightlifting.
• The York Peppermint Pattie was originally created in York in 1940. It is now owned and produced by the well-known Pennsylvania-based company, Hershey.

Our Dealership

Here at Lancaster Mazda, we are well-equipped to satisfy all the automotive needs of our loyal customers in the York community. If you are looking to lease or purchase a new car, we have you covered with our diverse inventory of new Mazda vehicles. We also have various certified pre-owned models to choose from. There are many benefits to taking the certified pre-owned route when it comes to shopping for a Mazda vehicle that suits your lifestyle, so you won’t be disappointed either way. For those that are more money conscious, Lancaster Mazda offers an extensive selection of used vehicles. We know dollar signs can be intimidating, but we are here to help you every step of the way!

Not sure what the value of your trade is? Wondering what your payments will be, before you make a decision? Don’t worry, Lancaster Mazda has the answers you’re looking for! Drop by today and ask to speak with any of our sales and leasing specialists to get all the information you need to make the best decision for you! And, if you can’t make it in right now, you can get the process started from home by submitting a credit application via our secure portal.

We know our customers in York need fast and reliable vehicle service that will last, so our Mazda Service Department’s mission is to provide them with just that. Our dealership only uses genuine certified Mazda parts, helping to keep your Mazda running like a Mazda. If you are looking to have your vehicle serviced by top-tier technicians in the York area, the best place to start would be by scheduling service right here through our website. Rest assured, your vehicle will be in great hands!

We love serving our York community and believe that our customers within the greater Lancaster area deserve the best! Contact us today, and let us know how we can help you!