The "Another Honor For One Of Lancaster's Best Athletes" Story

New historical plaque to honor Barney Ewell.  Click to enlarge.

It was an ordinary day.  Driving past Lancaster's J.P. McCaskey High School on the north-eastern side of the city.  Beautiful high school that was built back in 1938.  As I rounded the circle in front of the school I noticed something new.  Stopped and grabbed my iPhone to take a photo of it.  The marker that I just photographed was a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission marker honoring one of Lancaster's greatest athletes, Henry Norwood "Barney" Ewell who graduated from the school shortly after it was opened in 1938.  

Barney and some of his many awards from high school.

Barney was born in 1918 in nearby Harrisburg, PA. and moved with his family to Lancaster as a child.  After moving to Lancaster he began to run in the streets to help strengthen a leg that was weakened by polio. As a student at McCaskey High School, he set records in the 100 and 220 yard dashes as well as the long jump and earning seven gold medals in the State meet.  In Lancaster he was known as "Lancaster's Flash".  After high school he entered Penn State University and was a nine-time collegiate All-American while winning 12 gold medals in NCAA competition as well as 11 gold medals during his participation at the Amateur Athletic Union competitions.  

Running for Penn State.

During his time at Penn State he never lost a race.  He was also a member of the boxing team at Penn State.  He was selected a member of the United States Olympic Team, but never had a chance to compete in the 1940 or 1944 Olympics since the Olympics were canceled due to World War II.  During Olympic trials he tied Jesse Owens' world record 100-meter run of 10.2 seconds.  During WWII he served with distinction in the U.S. Army and returned to Lancaster with the intent of getting back in shape so he could compete in the 1948 Olympics.  

The Lancaster Coin Club memorialized Barney with this coin.

He once again made the team at the age of 30.  During the '48 Olympics he won a Gold and two Silver medals.  Lancaster's Flash was given the title of one of America's 10 all-time greatest sprinters by the U.S. Track and Field News.  In his later life he lost both legs due to complications from diabetes, and died in1996 at the age of 78.  The historical marker I took a photograph of was promoted in Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, by the Barney Ewell Legacy Committee which consisted of former Lancaster Mayor Art Morris, a tremendous long-distance runner, Ken Stoudt and Ron Ford who was Barney's nephew.  My dad would often tell me stories of Barney and his exploits in high school.  The plaque is a fitting reminder to the athletic prowess achieved by Lancaster's Olympic Gold Medal Winner.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.