George’s family bought the farm in 1923. On the farm they grew corn, wheat, and hay, and raised turkeys and chickens. George remembers they were the only ones in the area with a telephone, and the farm had its own electrical system.
The woods, which still surround Normandie Ridge, were used for Boy Scout camping and church picnics. The farm was made up of 26 acres of land on both sides of Bull Road, which at the time was a dirt road. The Spangler home was located on the Manchester Township side of the property.
On the farm was an old German style barn with pegged and hand-hewn logs. Tourists were drawn to the barn and its “soul box,” which was really a little door. Superstition had it that when there was a death, the door would be left open so the soul could get out, and when there was a birth, it would be opened for the soul to come in. The barn was the subject of many paintings and was featured in many newspaper stories over the years.
The Spangler family continued to farm the land for many years, but in the late 1980s, the remaining family members decided to sell the farm, which was divided into small parcels. George built his home on one of the parcels.
In 1987 United Methodist Homes of Lewisburg purchased all of the land in response to a request for assistance from United Methodist Care of York, to build senior housing and a nursing home. This was the beginning of Normandie Ridge. Today, the former Spangler farm is home to three churches, several homes, an apartment complex, and Normandie Ridge.
In 2008 George was ready to move to a senior living community, so Normandie Ridge was the obvious choice. George lived at Normandie Ridge from 2008 until 2017, when he decided to move to a facility in Gettysburg to be closer to his daughter. However, he soon found that he really missed all of his Normandie Ridge friends and chose to move back in 2018. George was warmly welcomed by everyone at Normandie Ridge, and he’s extremely happy to be back among his friends.
George says he loves living at Normandie Ridge, where the people are great and his children have peace of mind knowing he always has help available if he needs it. But the best part, he says, is “all the memories that, living once again on this land, brings back.”
Albright Care Services is proud that George Spangler is part of our family. Albright invites you to continue your mission by joining us at one of our six locations. Visit www.albrightcare.org for information on senior living, day programs, giving, or volunteering.
