The Avenues, located on the western outskirts of York City, is a charming neighborhood with wonderful homes, towering majestic trees, a nice park, and friendly neighbors.

In 1882, William “Captain” Lanius, head of York Bank and Trust, acquired 52 acres of meadows to start the Avenues. At 401 Roosevelt Avenue, he erected his own house in 1884. (then called West York Street). Captain Lanius stepped in and renamed streets, set out lots, and planted trees. The Avenues development, then known as the West End Improvement, started on Linden Avenue from North Hartley Street in 1887, where three additional Queen Anne Stick style residences were erected, and ended on West Street in 1890. Captain Lanius also founded the York Street Railway Company, which began providing trolley service to this “new fashionable sector” in 1886, connecting Linden Avenue to Center Square York via Roosevelt Avenue (West York Street). Half of Madison Avenue, the majority of Pennsylvania Avenue, and the entirety of Maryland Avenue are all deserted. New architectural styles emerged over time, including Second Empire, Colonial Revival, Prairie, Mission, Tudor, Bungalow, and, later, Ranch. The Avenues are littered with examples of them. As you go through the Avenues, you’ll observe a mix of huge single-family homes, semi-detached and medium-sized houses, and modest row houses. This blend is reminiscent of a traditional neighborhood, where affluent industrialists, middle management, and factory employees all lived and worked together, attended local churches, and socialized. In modern America, this historic community has virtually vanished, but we are lucky to live in a neighborhood where it has been preserved. Other than the larger ones, you’ll find two churches, a school, and a few businesses strewn about here. Despite being less than 5 minutes from downtown, several residents believe the region feels more like a suburb than a metropolis. Downtown is about five minutes away on foot. This is the ideal location for a home. With all of the trees that line the long avenues and mix in with the equally tall homes, it is seen as a safer and more attractive community. The surrounding cemetery is fairly open, and you could easily spend an evening going through it, reflecting on life while reading the names on each headstone. There are several reasons for families to rent, live, and work in this area. Residents pick The Avenues for a variety of reasons, including their financial situation and closeness to work and recreation.

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