Augustus H. Schaefer Memorial Park in Springettsbury Township - York Daily Record/Sunday News
Jan 24, 2019Schaefer [1885-1960]; York florist and Springettsbury developer. The photo will be utilized on a Historic Site Sign that will be placed in the park given in his memory during 1962. The sign will also provide a brief history of Augustus and the park. A Historic Site Sign program is being rolled out at the twelve township parks in Springettsbury; after which the “About Springettsbury” project will expand to tell the history of other noteworthy sites in the township. Who was Augustus H. Schaefer? Augustus Henry Schaefer was born on January 21, 1885, in Luthorst, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1901; settling in York, PA. Augustus was following in the footsteps of his older brother Charles A. Schaefer, who had immigrated in 1894 and opened a florist business a few years later in York, at 600 N. West Street. Chas. A. Schaefer, florist, followed by briefly being located at 110 E. Market Street, before finding their long-time location at 124 W. Market Street; where they still operate. Augustus H. Schaefer established his own retail flower business during 1906 at 15 West Market Street. Early on, ads for the business use either Aug. H. Schaefer or August H. Schaefer; however he quickly settles on August H. Schaefer, florist. In legal documents, such as deeds, he continues to use his given first name; Augustus. In 1909, Augustus married Alberta Ellen Stough, who was born in Dover to Edmund and Catharine Neiman Stough. In 1910 August H. Schaefer, florist, moves to 137 W. Market Street; which is nearly across the street from the flower shop of his brother. Augustus is at that location until his retirement in 1953. That site is now a parking lot. The yellow page ad for Florists in the 1945-46 York City Directory contains the two Schaefer florists. Why the Schaefer Park is in Springettsbury Township Augustus Schaefer purchases a 59-acre farm in Springettsbury Township on April 11, 1938. (Deed Book 27B, Page 454). It is at the northeas...