Borough in Pennsylvania, United States
| Lewisburg | |
|---|---|
| Borough | |
 Lewisburg | |
 Keystone marker | |
 Location of Lewisburg in Union County, Pennsylvania. | |
  LewisburgLocation within the U.S. state of PennsylvaniaShow map of Pennsylvania LewisburgLewisburg (the United States)Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates: 40°57′50″N 76°53′17″W / 40.96389°N 76.88806°W / 40.96389; -76.88806 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Union |
| Settled | 1785 (239 years ago) (1785) |
| Incorporated (borough) | March 21, 1812 (212 years ago) (1812-03-21) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Kendy Alvarez |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.97 sq mi (2.52 km) |
| • Land | 0.97 sq mi (2.52 km) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 5,158 |
| • Density | 5,301.13/sq mi (2,046.36/km) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT |
| Zip code | 17837 |
| Area code | 570 |
| FIPS code | 42-42976 |
| Website | www |
Lewisburg is a borough in Union County, Pennsylvania, United States, 30 miles (48 km) south by southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles (97 km) north of Harrisburg. The population was 5,158 as of the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Union County. Located in central Pennsylvania's Susquehanna Valley, on the West Branch Susquehanna River, it is home to Bucknell University and the Federal Correctional Institution Lewisburg. Its 19th-century downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lewisburg is the principal city of the Lewisburg Micropolitan Statistical Area, and is also part of the larger Bloomsburg–Berwick–Sunbury Combined Statistical Area.
History
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Lewisburg was founded in 1785 by Ludwig Derr. A settler of the area (since as early as 1763–1769), Derr purchased several tracts of land from the William Penn family and other neighboring landowners, the largest of which was known as "The Prescott". Having been on the land for such a long time, Derr had befriended the local Native Americans of the area. His relationship with these indigenous peoples was so well founded that, even as many of the other local settlers' homesteads were routinely sacked by Native Americans, Derr's lands remained free from attacks. Subsequently, in 1784, he worked with Samuel Weiser to lay out his combined land tracts, and create Derrstown. The name was later changed to Lewisburgh when Snyder County was created from Union County in 1855 (according to a local Keystone marker sign), but was known on original plans and deeds as Lewisburg before that time.
U.S. Postal Service states that it was named Lewisburgh when it was established in 1796; in 1893, the name was shortened to Lewisburg.
The origin of the street names that run east-west is also unknown. St. George, St. Catherine, and St. Louis appear to be named for saints. While Lutherans, as was Derr, do recognize historic Catholic saints, the street names are more likely named for Derr's family members, whose names happen to coincide with saints. Those streets are consecutively parallel and emanate from what was then Derr's home and the location of the first available lot sold (which were both situated on what is now Mill Street). George was Ludwig's son, his wife was Catherine, and himself, Ludwig/Lewis/Louis (sic). The other original street names that still exist are St. John, St. Mary and St. Anthony, which may be the names of other children from families with whom Derr's own family were friends. However, there is an indication that Derr also had a daughter named Mary. The premise is further supported by the notion that the German word for street is Strasse (Straße, abbreviated St). At the time, street names were pronounced as Strasse Mary or Strasse George. Later, when signs were made to note the street names, the abbreviation for Strasse was allowed to remain, but the US/English abbreviation was redundantly added to the signs.
Over the centuries, Lewisburg has been a center of commerce in Union County. The West Branch Susquehanna River was used for logging and shipping, and remains of old factories and other ancient stone structures exist along the river banks. Prior to, and during, the Civil War, many abolitionists lived in the area, and several locations within the town of Lewisburg served as stopping points on the famous Underground Railroad.
The Susquehanna River has flooded on several occasions, notably in 1889, 1936, and 1972. The 1936 flood saw record-high water levels, while after the 1972 flood, the houses that formerly stood where Hufnagle Park is today were demolished.
The Lewisburg Historic District, Chamberlin Iron Front Building, Packwood House-American Hotel, and Reading Railroad Freight Station are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Market Street is the borough's main thoroughfare.
Bucknell University
In 1846, Bucknell University was founded as a private school by a group of Baptists as the University of Lewisburg. Classes initially met in the basement of the First Baptist Church of Lewisburg. In 1881, the school was facing dire financial issues, but was saved by William Bucknell, who was a charter member of the school's Board of Trustees. In 1886, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to change the school's name to honor its benefactor.
Bucknell University grew steadily from 1890 until 1930. During the Great Depression, there was a decline in enrollment, but the university grew again in the post-World War II years due to the G.I. Bill and then the transition to college of the Baby Boom generation.
The current campus consists of 450 acres and over 100 buildings located adjacent to the West Branch Susquehanna River. The school has a respected academic reputation and is an NCAA Division I school. There are currently about 4000 students. Notable alumni include actor Ralph Waite (1952), novelist Philip Roth (1954), actor Edward Herrmann (1965), CBS media executive Leslie Moonves (1971), 2016 Pulitzer Prize winner Peter Balakian (1973), New Jersey congressman Rob Andrews (1979), and basketball player Mike Muscala (2013).
Federal Correctional Institution Lewisburg
The Federal Correctional Institution Lewisburg is currently a medium-security United States prison for male inmates. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which is a division of the United States Department of Justice.
The prison was designed by Alfred Hopkins and was originally opened in 1932. In 1976, Judge Clarence Newcomer released Francis Marziani early after he raised allegations of gang rape, torture and murder by inmates. In 1991, the prison was the subject of an Academy Award nominated documentary, Doing Time: Life Inside the Big House, which was produced by Alan and Susan Raymond. On November 1, 1995, there was a prison riot, which was started by 10 prisoners and led to the prison's current notoriety.
In 2008, correctional officers raised concerns about chronic underfunding of the prison and the prospect of deeper cuts. Correctional officers expressed concerns that such underfunding and further cuts would make them unsafe on the job. In 2009, the prison was designated a Special Management Unit to house the most violent and disruptive inmates in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In 2021, the prison was changed from a high-security to a medium-security institution. This change made the prison the third containing a Communications Management Unit, which generally houses terrorists and other inmates classified as security threats to be held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.
Over the years, the prison has housed famous inmates including Willie Aikens, Whitey Bulger, John Gotti, Alger Hiss, Jimmy Hoffa, Larry Nassar, Anthony Provenzano, and Bayard Rustin.
Geography
Lewisburg is located at 40°57′50″N 76°53′17″W / 40.96389°N 76.88806°W / 40.96389; -76.88806 (40.963895, -76.888154).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km), all land.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 914 | — | |
| 1850 | 2,012 | — | |
| 1860 | 2,666 | 32.5% | |
| 1870 | 3,121 | 17.1% | |
| 1880 | 3,080 | −1.3% | |
| 1890 | 3,248 | 5.5% | |
| 1900 | 3,457 | 6.4% | |
| 1910 | 3,081 | −10.9% | |
| 1920 | 3,204 | 4.0% | |
| 1930 | 3,308 | 3.2% | |
| 1940 | 3,571 | 8.0% | |
| 1950 | 5,268 | 47.5% | |
| 1960 | 5,523 | 4.8% | |
| 1970 | 6,376 | 15.4% | |
| 1980 | 5,407 | −15.2% | |
| 1990 | 5,785 | 7.0% | |
| 2000 | 5,620 | −2.9% | |
| 2010 | 5,792 | 3.1% | |
| 2020 | 5,158 | −10.9% | |
| Sources: | |||
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,620 people, 1,778 households, and 787 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,724.7 inhabitants per square mile (2,210.3/km). There were 1,938 housing units at an average density of 1,974.1 units per square mile (762.2 units/km). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.57% White, 2.62% African American, 0.19% Native American, 2.79% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.33% of the population.
There were 1,778 households, out of which 17.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.7% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.7% were non-families. 42.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.64.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 10.0% under the age of 18, 45.9% from 18 to 24, 16.4% from 25 to 44, 12.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $30,137, and the median income for a family was $53,409. Males had a median income of $32,727 versus $25,436 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $14,146. About 6.3% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.
Parks and recreation
Hufnagle Park is located along Bull Run in the heart of downtown. It offers open space, a picnic pavilion, playground equipment, and gardens. It is named in honor of former Public Safety director Gordon Hufnagle. Officer Hufnagle died saving lives during the Agnes Flood on June 21, 1972. A covered footbridge just north of the park was built in his honor in 1982.
The Lewisburg Community Garden is a joint venture between Lewisburg Borough and Bucknell University. Opened in 2012, the community garden provides educational opportunities for students and area residents, rents garden plots, and grows and donates 3,800 pounds of organic produce to local food access programs.
Other parks in the borough are: Soldier's Memorial Park and Mariah's Garden (both located on the Susquehanna River), Lewisburg Area Recreation Park, Wolfe Field and St. Anthony Street Park, and D.F. Green Field.
Notable people
- Ward R. Bliss, Pennsylvania State Representative (1889–1905)
- Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler, cartographer, who lived in Lewisburg between 1881 and 1885
- Jason Bohn, professional golfer, was born in Lewisburg
- Doug Lebda, founder and CEO of LendingTree, was born and raised in Lewisburg
- George H. Ramer, U.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor winner graduated from and taught at Lewisburg High School and is buried in Lewisburg Cemetery
- Christy Mathewson, Major League Baseball player and one of first five inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum attended Bucknell University and is buried in Lewisburg Cemetery
- Berhanu Nega, Ethiopian politician, taught at Bucknell University
- Philip Roth, prolific Jewish novelist, attended Bucknell University
- Mary Oliver, American poet, moved to Lewisburg in 1986 to be the "Poet in Residence"
Gallery
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Campus Theatre (1939) built in the Streamline Moderne style.
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Beaver Memorial Methodist Church (1890) one of four Victorian Gothic churches in Lewisburg.
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Entrance to the First Presbyterian Church (1856) in the Greek Revival style.
References
- "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lewisburg borough, Pennsylvania; United States". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- "USPS - Postmasters by City". usps.gov. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- Huffines, Marion Lois; Sauers, Richard A. (2010). Lewisburg. Arcadia Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-7385-7335-9.
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
- "Jun 22, 1972, page 1 - The Daily Item at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- "Hoof-nogle or Huff-nagle? Popular park is pronounced, ‘fun’" WKOK radio news report 2007-06-16.
- "Lewisburg Community Garden – Growing Together since 2012". lewisburgcommunitygarden.blogs.bucknell.edu. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- "Parks & Recreation". Borough of Lewisburg Pennsylvania. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- "Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler Panoramic Town View Lithographs (4867)". Historical Collections and Labor Archives, Special Collections Library. Pennsylvania State University. Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- Hammer, Joshua (August 31, 2016). "Once a Bucknell Professor, Now the Commander of an Ethiopian Rebel Army". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- McGrath, Charles (May 23, 2018). "Philip Roth, Towering Novelist Who Explored Lust, Jewish Life and America, Dies at 85". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- "Poet Seers » Mary Oliver". Retrieved April 1, 2024.
External links
- Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Lewisburg" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
| Municipalities and communities of Union County, Pennsylvania, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| County seat: Lewisburg | ||
| Boroughs |  | |
| Townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||