Issued as: Journal of the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley, v. 40 (2015).
Summary
"The story of the events leading up to the incorporation of the Borough of Ephrata in 1891, its incorporation, and the history of the borough's first fifteen years of existence. Included are the names of the petitioners, all Ephrata property owners, who signed the petition in favor of the town's incorporation in 1891, along with brief biographical sketches and portraits when available. The story of the town's early history documents the many challenges that faced the town's early elected officials, such as the development of an electrical plant, a public water plant, the construction of streets and sidewalks, and the enactment ofordinances that regulated day-to-day life in the town. The journal also includes biographies of the borough's burgesses and mayors from 1891 to the present, along with a list of the men and women who have served on Ephrata Borough Council through the years along with their term of office. Included in the list of mayors is a biography of Ephrata's only honorary mayor,Evelyn (Ay) Sempier, Miss America 1954." [from the publisher]
Journal fo the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley ; v. 43
Notes
Excerpt: "It has recently occurred to me that...the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley has owned the historic Connell Mansion...for fifty-six years. During those fifty-six years little has been written or published about the history of the grand gray-painted three-story brick Italianate home...Who were Moore and Rebecca (Konigmacher) Connell, who built the Italianate mansion in 1868 and whose family occupied it for two generations until 1961?There is absolutely no question in my mind that at the time the Connells built their house it was unique in its rural Lancaster County setting and a showplace in the sleepy farm village of Ephrata."
