Shipoke (Harrisburg)

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Shipoke is a neighborhood in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Shipoke is delineated by Interstate 83 to the south, Paxton Street to the north, Race Street to the east, and the Susquehanna River to the west. Compared to Harrisburg's other neighborhoods, Shipoke is small.

Shipoke is in many ways the oldest section of the city, settled by Europeans in 1710 as a small trading post. It was here that the Harris Ferry and Tavern was originally located, which is the origin of the name Harrisburg. All of the neighborhood lies within the flood plain of the Susquehanna River. Most major storms lead to dangerous flooding in this area. After falling into disrepair, Shipoke was devistated by the flooding associated with Hurricane Agnes. Many of the Victorian houses were abandoned following the flooding, and they were sold to developers for nominal costs. More recently, the reminants of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 led to severe flooding and damage in this area. After years of rehabilitation, Shipoke now is a picturesque, affluent neighborhood known for its beautiful river views. A number of festivals are held annually in Riverfront Park along the river near Shipoke.