James Warren York was a former army musician and played professionally in the Grand Rapids, Michigan theaters.

He eventually decided to open his own instrument repair business and set up on the ground floor of a Monroe Avenue building in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1882.

Reynolds, pioneers of band instrument manufacturing, were all once employed at the early York factories at 3,5, and 7 North Ionia Avenue in Grand Rapids.

The factories were later relocated to the old Raniville Power building at the corner of Campau Ave and Lyon St.

In 1913, rights were sold to original partners James and John Duffy and a stock company was formed.

Additionally, York produced various stencil horns under the names of "Hallmark", "Acme", "Wolverine", and "Pioneer".

After experiencing unparalleled growth through innovation in much of the early 20th century, the York company fell victim to the Great Depression of the 1930s and was purchased by Carl Fischer for $300,000 in December 1940.

The name York sometimes became a stamp on stencil horns from other manufacturers as Carl Fischer's ownership outsourced work.

Higher quality instruments were transferred to the West German company Boehm Meinl as the "York Master" line.