An organization presently responsible for the Codorus Furnace and Forge, the Wills One Room Schoolhouse, the 120-acre Bonham-Wake-Robin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Ulmer-Root-Haines Memorial Park and the Indian Steps Museum. The Indian Steps Museum is the flagship of our organization.

Our lifelong purpose has been to help make York County a better place to live and enjoy.

CSYC
(c/o Nancy Grissinger)
1494 Main Street Ext.,
Brogue, Pennsylvania 17309

( send email)

This wildlife sanctuary was made possible by the estate of Elizabeth S. Bonham who, prior to her death, requested that the latter portion of her name be used. The Conservation Society dedicated the sanctuary in her memory, May 17, 1977.

On October 18, 1968, the Spencer Farm was purchased and renovations and construction was begun to make it a center for study and research of wildlife in that area. The site abounds in a variety of birds and wildlife native to York County, as well as migratory birds.

An exhibit of mounts by Robert Gemmill, taxidermist, occupies one of the rooms. There is also a meeting room or workshop area for use by students and researchers. Use of the sanctuary center is by permission only. Contact Matthew or Michelle Posey at 717.495.1759 for more information.

Codorus Furnace and Forge

The Codorus Furnace, located about 6 miles southeast of Mt. Wolf on the south side of Codorus Creek near its confluence with the Susquehanna River, once supplied ammunition to the colonists fighting for independence during the American Revolution.

The forge and furnace, then known as the Hellam Iron Works, were erected in 1765 by William Bennet on a 150-acre tract he obtained from the Penn family. He operated the business until May 21, 1771 when it fell into the hands of Sheriff Samuel Edie. Edie sold the property to Charles Hamilton, who transferred it to James Smith of York, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and member of the Continental Congress. Smith lost about $25,000 in the venture before finally selling it on April 16, 1778 to Thomas Niel, a merchant.

Cannon and cannon balls were cast in the original furnace for the Continental Army during the Revolution and War of 1812. Iron ore for the furnace was quarried in the Hellam hills until the vein was exhausted.

In 1810, Henry Grubb bought and enlarged the works and it became known as Codorus Forge. The present furnace was built in 1837. Ore for this furnace was obtained from the famous Chestnut Hill mines of Lancaster County and was floated across the Susquehanna in flatboats. Large quantities of pig iron were made at the furnace. Much of the manufactured iron was loaded in shallops and floated downstream to tide water and on to Philadelphia and Baltimore.

It finally ceased operations in 1850, after 85 years of service.