New Philadelphia, Ohio

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Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia features a carousel, Ferris wheel, and other rides.

New Philadelphia is a city in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, 96 miles (154 km) south of Cleveland on the Tuscarawas River. It was first incorporated in 1808. Coal and clay are found in the vicinity. In the past, mining interests and the manufacturing of steel, canned goods, roofing tile, sewer pipe, bricks, vacuum cleaners, stovepipes, carriages, flour, brooms, and pressed, stamped, and enameled goods occupied the people. In 1900, 6,213 people lived here; in 1910 8,542; in 1920, 10, 718; and in 1940, 12,328 people lived here. The population was 17,056 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Tuscarawas County^GR6.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Tuscora Park
5 Trivia
6 External links
7 See also

[edit] Geography

New Philadelphia is located at 40°29′22″N, 81°26′50″W (40.489411, -81.447324)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.6 km² (7.9 mi²). 20.2 km² (7.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.76%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 17,056 people, 7,338 households, and 4,659 families residing in the city. The population density was 844.3/km² (2,188.0/mi²). There were 7,796 housing units at an average density of 385.9/km² (1,000.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.89% White, 0.97% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. According to the Census Bureau, Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population. Since the mid 90's, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, together with Holmes, Stark and Wayne Counties experienced a significant Hispanic immigration, led by recruitment at area chicken processing plants. One plant, Case Farms in Winesburg, maintained an employment of 525. In December 2000, it reduced its work force to 168. The Hispanic workforce diversified to other area plants, and Hispanic immigration has continued. Recent Hispanic immigrants have been predominantly Guatemalan. Principally from Huehuetenango, Totonicapán and El Quiche in Guatemala, the immigrants often speak native Mayan languages including K'ichee', Awakateko, Q'anjob'al and Mam. Most speak Spanish as a second language. Some are learning English with local volunteer tutors.

There were 7,338 households out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,235, and the median income for a family was $42,896. Males had a median income of $32,157 versus $20,363 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,745. About 7.7% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

From the Ohio Historical Society page on Schoenbrunn (linked below): The Moravian church founded Schoenbrunn ("beautiful spring") in 1772 as a mission to the Delaware Indians. The settlement grew to include sixty dwellings and more than 300 inhabitants who drew up Ohio's first civil code and built its first Christian church and schoolhouse.

Problems associated with the American Revolution prompted Schoenbrunn's closing in 1777. Schoenbrunn's story features a rare meeting of Indian and European cultures and a fascinating perspective on the American Revolution.

Today the reconstructed village in eastern New Philadelphia includes seventeen log buildings, gardens, the original mission cemetery, and a museum and visitor center. The site also includes natural areas and picnic facilities.

In the 1970's Paul Green created a masterpiece called Trumpet in the land.It was the story depicting the life and massacre of those Schoenbrunn Indians. http://www.trumpetintheland.com/

[edit] Tuscora Park

Tuscora Park is a municipal park that features a carousel, Ferris wheel, train and other rides. The park is at 161 Tuscora Ave., NW, in New Philadelphia. Swimming pools, putt-putt golf and batting cages are also available. The park is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Rides are fifty cents each, except on one nickel day each Summer. The rides and concessions open at noon on weekends and at 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Fireworks are on the Sunday before Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and the Sunday before Labor Day.

Tuscora Park was originally built as a project of the Works Progress Administration. Original stone work gates, paths and retaining walls still adorn the park.

Around 1940, New Philadelphia purchased the Herschell-Spillman carousel secondhand. It is a rare all-wooden carousel. It includes 36 carved wooden jumping horses, two chariots and 428 individual lights. The center panels are adorned with 14 original oil paintings. Music is provided by a Wurlitzer-style 153-band calliope. The carousel is 40 feet in diameter and weighs 10 tons. It was manufactured in 1928 by the Spillman Manufacturing Company of North Tonawanda, New York.

The park is now the home of the Park Place Teen Center. Built with funds from an anonymous benefactor, the Center is available to area high school students. It provides computers with internet access, video and sound systems, game machines, black light pool tables, and DJ dance parties on Saturday nights. A snack bar provides a complete menu. Membership is open to high school students for $9 per year.

The park hosts the annual First Town Days that recall New Philadelphia's history as the first European settlement in Ohio. The fair runs on the weekend closest to the Fourth of July. The park office is at 330-343-4644. The Teen Center and First Town Days office is at 330-343-6814.