“We Are All Well” – York Springs, PA (1909)

Miss Alice Cleaver lived in York Springs, now a borough in Adams County, Pennsylvania, not far from the border of Maryland.

The town has had several names since European immigrants settled in the area.

Once named, York Sulphur Springs, the town was known for the foul-smelling springs in the area (high sulfur content) which were believed to have medicinal value.

Visitors from Philadelphia and Baltimore traveled to the area by stagecoach to “take the waters”.

George and Martha Washington visited in 1799.

Adams County was once part of York County, which helps to explain the confusing name of the now-vanished resort.

In October of 1909, Alice received a postcard from Mr. and Mrs. Royal Ressler who lived in the city of York, PA, about 40 miles to the east.

The postcard, printed in Germany, bears an illustration of a fashionable young woman holding a parasol.

It may be that the Ressler’s were hoping for a visit from Miss Ann, as the printed legend, “I’m looking for you”, suggests that they would like to see her.

In neat handwriting, the sender reports, “We are all well.”

One hopes that Miss Cleaver was able to see her friends in York.