The formal process has begun to give a new name to Lancaster Square, across from Binns Park on North Queen Street. The Barney Ewell Legacy Committee has collected many hundreds of signatures supporting its proposal to name the soon-to-be revamped plaza for Henry Norwood "Barney" Ewell (1918-1996), a McCaskey graduate, World War II veteran, Olympic Gold Medalist, and once the fastest man in the world. If you have not already signed and wish to do so, you may use this web version.
The City’s Request for Proposal seeks a namesake of history which is broadly endorsed, relevant to Lancaster Square, and will unite and always inspire the creative imagination of a diverse and welcoming community. As our forthcoming proposal to the city demonstrates, this same diverse and welcoming community came together after the 1948 Olympics to welcome Barney Ewell’s returning motorcade by pouring onto the sidewalks near Lancaster Square—the place where, years later, it sent him off to witness the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics from the stands with a tribute at the Brunswick Hotel (now known as Hotel Lancaster). Today it unites once again and overwhelmingly supports the idea that the redesigned plaza, striving to inspire creativity and public art, ought to be named for the late Central Market regular and against-all-odds Olympic champion. After all, he proved to future generations that they are not determined solely by their circumstances, but by their gifts they share with the world.
Updates
April 9, 2019
I keep looking at these responses and just feeling overwhelmed because it is actually happening and people really care about Barney Ewell as much as I do. Seeing this kind of momentum means our history is finally being seen in a way that feels right and I am honestly just buzzing with excitement thinking about what this means for the square.
Reached 100 supporters
April 9, 2019
37 Comments
I remember Barney well. My dad workplace sponsored a ball team and Barney would attend the games and sit and talk with me.
Long overdue honor for outstanding Lancastrian but also an heroic American in both the Olympics and WWII
My mother was his nurse when he was Conestoga View. The stories he told her was uplifting. Our community needs more diversity and the history of this great athlete should be included for generations to come, in the city of Lancaster...jd
What an outstanding individual he was. My remembrance of him is funny I was sitting behind him at a McCaskey Football game and he put his gum behind his ear till after the game was over. Made me smile.
I'm an ESL tutor. I used the story of Barney Ewell with my students. Important champion in our city's history.
Yuul
Wonderful man. Great athlete.
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The formal process has begun to give a new name to Lancaster Square, across from Binns Park on North Queen Street. The Barney Ewell Legacy Committee has collected many hundreds of signatures supporting its proposal to name the soon-to-be revamped plaza for Henry Norwood "Barney" Ewell (1918-1996), a McCaskey graduate, World War II veteran, Olympic Gold Medalist, and once the fastest man in the world. If you have not already signed and wish to do so, you may use this web version.
The City’s Request for Proposal seeks a namesake of history which is broadly endorsed, relevant to Lancaster Square, and will unite and always inspire the creative imagination of a diverse and welcoming community. As our forthcoming proposal to the city demonstrates, this same diverse and welcoming community came together after the 1948 Olympics to welcome Barney Ewell’s returning motorcade by pouring onto the sidewalks near Lancaster Square—the place where, years later, it sent him off to witness the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics from the stands with a tribute at the Brunswick Hotel (now known as Hotel Lancaster). Today it unites once again and overwhelmingly supports the idea that the redesigned plaza, striving to inspire creativity and public art, ought to be named for the late Central Market regular and against-all-odds Olympic champion. After all, he proved to future generations that they are not determined solely by their circumstances, but by their gifts they share with the world.
Updates
April 9, 2019
I keep looking at these responses and just feeling overwhelmed because it is actually happening and people really care about Barney Ewell as much as I do. Seeing this kind of momentum means our history is finally being seen in a way that feels right and I am honestly just buzzing with excitement thinking about what this means for the square.
Reached 100 supporters
April 9, 2019
37 Comments
Naming this location, which, with broad community support, is struggling to achieve new and better memories for residents and visitors, is a warm and wonderful way to lift up the legacy of Barney Ewell, so special person was he.
I remember Barney well. My dad workplace sponsored a ball team and Barney would attend the games and sit and talk with me.
Long overdue honor for outstanding Lancastrian but also an heroic American in both the Olympics and WWII
My mother was his nurse when he was Conestoga View. The stories he told her was uplifting. Our community needs more diversity and the history of this great athlete should be included for generations to come, in the city of Lancaster...jd
What an outstanding individual he was. My remembrance of him is funny I was sitting behind him at a McCaskey Football game and he put his gum behind his ear till after the game was over. Made me smile.
I'm an ESL tutor. I used the story of Barney Ewell with my students. Important champion in our city's history.
Yuul
Wonderful man. Great athlete.
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Naming this location, which, with broad community support, is struggling to achieve new and better memories for residents and visitors, is a warm and wonderful way to lift up the legacy of Barney Ewell, so special person was he.