Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | |
| Motto: A Good Place to Live! | |
  Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Cumberland |
| Settled | 1806 |
| Incorporated | 1828 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Borough Council |
| - Mayor | Jack Ritter |
| Area | |
| - Total | 2.6 sq mi (6.7 km²) |
| Elevation | 446 ft (136 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 9,042 |
| - Density | 3,494.6/sq mi (1,349.3/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Zip code | 17055 |
| Area code(s) | 717 |
| Website: Mechanicsburg Borough | |
Mechanicsburg is a borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA, eight miles (13 km) west of Harrisburg. Mechanicsburg was settled in 1806 and incorporated as a borough on April 12, 1828. It is in a rich agricultural region known as the Cumberland Valley, a broad zone between South Mountain and the ridge-and-valley Appalachians. In 1900, 3,841 people lived here; in 1910, 4,469, which increased to 5,709 in 1940. As of the 2000 census, the borough population was 9,042. Mechanicsburg is home of Jubilee Day, the largest one day street fair on the east coast. It is estimated as many as 60,000 people attend Jubilee Day annually. The borough is home to Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School and just outside the borough is Cumberland Valley High School.
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[edit] Geography
Mechanicsburg is located at (40.212089, -77.006143)[1].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 9,042 people, 4,023 households, and 2,466 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,494.6 people per square mile (1,347.9/km²). There were 4,169 housing units at an average density of 1,611.3/sq mi (621.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.97% White, 0.43% African American, 0.09% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.
There were 4,023 households out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.7% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $45,200, and the median income for a family was $54,228. Males had a median income of $37,130 versus $27,940 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $22,812. About 2.4% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
Named for a settlement of mechanics who made and repaired Conestoga wagons in the early 1800's, Mechanicsburg's continued growth was also attributed to the Cumberland Valley Railroad (CVRR). Completing its line in 1837, Mechanicsburg was designated as a water station where workers could restock the locomotive's wood and pump water. The train became the town's link to the world of business and industry. Grain and feed companies, lumber yards and numerous factories were purposely built alongside the railroad tracks. Archives show that, at one time, there were twenty-five trains chugging through the town daily carrying travelers, coal, feathers, fruit, ice, mail and newspapers. During the American Civil War, the railroad was an invaluable method of transporting troops and supplies. Today, approximately two trains travel through Mechanicsburg each day. Another part of Mechanicsburg's growth occurred when the Naval Support Activity was built on 840 acres of land in Hampden Township, Pennsylvania. Although automotive technology changed the town forever, today's residents cannot dismiss the vital role the railroad played in its development.[3]
Present-day Mechanicsburg is centered on 100 acres that Leonard Fisher purchased from Joseph Heynes tract (No. 1442 of an original grant of 267 acres from William Penn). Before becoming incorporated on April 12, 1828, the town went by several different names. First, Drytown, because of the extreme scarcity of water during the winter and summer. It was also known as Pinchgut, a German name used as a sign of amusement given to a small village of only a few people. Some also referred to the town as Staufferstown, in honor of Henry Stauffer, the owner of much of the land in the center of town. Mechanicsburg is home to many historic markers, such as Irving Female College (named for Washington Irving, a trustee), the first women's college in Pennsylvania to grant degrees in arts and sciences.[3]
On June 28, 1863, Confederate troops led by Brig. Gen. Albert G. Jenkins raided Mechanicsburg, and two days later, met with Union forces in the Skirmish of Sporting Hill, just east of town. It is known as the northern most engagement of the Civil War. Following the Skirmish of Sporting Hill, the Confederate forces retreated south into the little town of Gettysburg where the Battle of Gettysburg would be fought.[3]
The oldest building in Mechanicsburg is the Frankeberger Tavern. One of Mechanicsburg's first residents was George Frankeberger, who in 1801 applied for a license to open his newly built log home for the "convenience" of travelers. In exchange for a small fee, Mr. Frankeberger offered cattle drivers a warm meal and a place to sleep. This proved to be rather lucrative, as many people were making the two day trek between Harrisburg (the state capital) and Carlisle (Cumberland County's county seat). A local legend tells of a man who came into a good deal of money having just sold some cattle in Harrisburg. After boasting about it in front of many of the other travelers in the tavern, he retired for the night. Another man, having heard about the gold he was carrying, followed him to his room, cut off his head, and stole his money. Legend has it that a headless ghost can sometimes be seen sitting atop the roof of Frankeberger Tavern, looking out over the roofs of town, searching for the man who stole his gold..[3]
[edit] Famous residents
Mechanicsburg is the home town of:
- Shawn Abner, former professional baseball player
- Karen Bill, olympic athlete, professional boxer
- Chris Crane, Boston College quarterback
- Josh Gros, professional soccer player.
- Chris Hakel, former professional football player
- Bret Michaels, 'Poison' lead singer
- Jon Ritchie, former professional football player
- Rikki Rockett, 'Poison' drummer
- Tamie Sheffield, professional wrestler, actress
- Andrew Kevin Walker, screenwriter, 8MM and Se7en
- Stacey Williams, supermodel, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
- Dusty Genard, International Artist
[edit] Points of interest
- Union Church
- Stationmaster's House
- Frankeberger Tavern
- Hall's tower
[edit] References
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b c d Mechanicsburg Museum. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
[edit] External links
- Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania is at coordinates Coordinates:
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