Borough Council votes to name bridge for Columbia's General Edward C. Shannon

 

General Edward C. Shannon

At its February 13 meeting, Columbia Borough Council voted to approve a resolution to name the Route 441 bridge over Route 30 for former Columbia resident General Edward C. Shannon. The bridge, which was part of the Route 441 bypass project, opened in December 2015 when the bypass opened. The structure will be known as the General Edward C. Shannon Memorial Bridge.

The location of the bridge is shown in red.

A former armory at 221 Walnut Street was named for Shannon but was later renamed the "Noah W. Wenger Center" for the PA senator who helped buy the building from the state’s department of general services. The Columbia Boys Athletic Association now owns the building and uses it for youth basketball.

During a discussion of Shannon at council's February 6 work session, Columbia resident Dr. Claire Storm noted that Shannon was an important figure in the borough. "It really bothered me that we just sort of erased his name," she told council.

The General Edward C. Shannon Armory at 221 Walnut Street was renamed for Senator Noah W. Wenger.

Edward C. Shannon had a long and illustrious career. In World War I, he was cited for distinguished and exceptional gallantry. He was presented the Distinguished Service Medal by General John Pershing at the end of the war. Pershing said of Shannon: "He proved himself a forceful and capable military leader." He was also awarded the Silver Star for "personally reconnoitering in front of his lines under heavy machine gun fire."

After World War I Shannon was promoted to Brigadier General as commander of Pennsylvania's 1st Infantry Brigade. He later commanded the 52nd Cavalry Brigade. From 1933 to 1939 Shannon served as major general and commander of the 28th Infantry Division.

Shannon was Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor from 1931 to 1935.

In 1919, he was elected Prothonotary of Lancaster County. From 1931 to 1935 he served as Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, under Governor Gifford Pinchot. He unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in 1934.

Shannon's gravestone is located at Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens, Columbia.

Shannon lived at 500 Chestnut Street for about 20 years and died at home on May 20, 1946. He is buried at Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens, Columbia.

This plaque is located at Shannon's former home at 500 Chestnut Street.

Chris Vera provided the Shannon photos in this article.

Columbia Spy published a previous article on General Edward C. Shannon HERE.

New sign installed on the 1000 block of Manor Street

 

Horror writer Brian Keene helps open Vortex Books & Comics in Columbia | What's in store | lancasteronline.com

Two acclaimed horror writers have opened a bookstore and comic shop in Columbia.

Vortex Books & Comics at 477 Locust St. features a wide variety of new and used horror fiction, fantasy, suspense and science fiction titles. It also has a large comic book section as well as vintage magazines, manga titles, signed rarities and some nonfiction titles.

Vortex Books & Comics is owned by York County couple Brian Keene and Mary SanGiovannia.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/business/whats_in_store/horror-writer-brian-keene-helps-open-vortex-books-comics-in-columbia/article_6f1e8a78-cc12-11ee-847c-4363f86c0a28.html 

Lancaster County writers' work posted in city buses for commuters to contemplate | Entertainment | lancasteronline.com

Starting in late January, Red Rose Transit Authority commuters were transported not only by bus but by poetry.

Twenty short, six-line poems about bodies of water, written by local poets, appear on placards inside 20 Red Rose Transit buses.

Poetry in Transit is a public art project launched by word hive — a Columbia-based nonprofit focused on poetry education and awareness — in partnership with the Philadelphia Alumni Writers House at Franklin & Marshall College and Vector Media.

"One of the goals is to bring poetry into public spaces in ways that people who may not normally see it, can see it," says co-founder Tom Johnson-Medland, 63, of Columbia. "The transit system is one great way to plant seeds of poetry. It's not only just about giving the community a taste of poetry, but it's also about connecting poets who might not normally have access to each other."

Writers featured in the Poetry in Transit program will read their poems during an event at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center in Columbia from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/lancaster-county-writers-work-posted-in-city-buses-for-commuters-to-contemplate/article_016af7c8-c753-11ee-8f3c-53b7d7136ebd.html 

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - February 19, 2024

 

Lori A. Michener conveyed 330 N. Fourth St. to Samuel Mark Dubnansky for $218,000.

ASC Engineered Solutions LLC, Anvil International LLC, Anvil International LP, Anvil International Inc. and Supply Sales Co conveyed 1411 Lancaster Ave. to ASC Engineered Solutions LLC for $10.

Sarah E. Quinn conveyed 564 Poplar St. to Michelle Wiley for $180,000.

QP Invest Property GRP LLC, QP Invest Property Group LLC, Quarterphase Investments LLC and Timothy Merrill conveyed 263 N. Second St. to QP Invest Property GRP LLC and QP Invest Property Group LLC for $1.

About Town - February 18, 2024

Recent photos of Columbia

(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.) 

Work continues at the Wright's Ferry Mansion.

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Stone wall at River Park

Enough sinks to give you a sinking feeling 

Garden Spot Village on Walnut Street

???

A label

Coming February 24

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They're back.

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Double parked

Another sign of Columbia's dog poop epidemic

This is one of two planes that flew over together.

There's the other one.

Brine tracks

Photos of Saturday's snowfall . . .

[Photo by Betty Englert]

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'Til next time

UPDATE: Town fountain gets a stay of 'execution'

 

The Lion Head Fountain was chosen and purchased as a major focal point of the town square.

The town fountain, which was recently recommended for removal by the Parks & Rec Committee, has been given a stay.

Parks & Rec changed its vote after borough resident Nora Motter Stark spoke about the history of the fountain and the town square at the committee's February 8 meeting. 

The issue will be discussed further at the March 5 Columbia Borough Council Work Session. Stark urges residents to attend. 

This plaque is located at the Locust Street entrance to the town square. 

History of the Town Square
The Columbia Town Square was officially dedicated on April 17, 2004, after design and construction began ciirca 2000-2001. Funding came from various sources, including grants, community donations, and Columbia Borough. The Columbia Town Gardeners played a significant role in the project, with approximately 32 active members. The group, consisting of local residents, assisted with landscape design, construction, and daily care and maintenance.
 

In 2002, the "Snowdrops of Hope" campaign was launched to create a living memorial planting on the Town Square in remembrance of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The campaign received donations from hundreds of local citizens, organizations, and businesses.

Columbia's Youth, including high school students and the Boy Scouts, helped plant 23 varieties of bulbs. There was a bulb planted for each person who perished in the September 11th tragedy.

The fountain 
The Lion Head Fountain was chosen and purchased as a major focal point of the park, funded exclusively by donations from the community. Maintenance of the fountain and landscaping have been ongoing issues.

[Source: Nora Motter Stark]

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Why the fountain was recommended for removal
Following informal discussion at the February 6, 2024 Columbia Borough Council Work Session, council members agreed to remove the nonfunctional fountain from the town square.

Columbia has been incurring a monthly cost of approximately $20 for the water line connected to the fountain, according to Borough Manager Mark Stivers. Mayor Lutz added that the fountain's pump frequently malfunctioned due to the absence of a shutoff valve, causing the motor to burn out when the water level dropped too low. Lutz said he personally replaced the pump twice

Stivers said the fountain had been neglected and was no longer being maintained.