Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
—  Borough  —
Motto: A Good Place to Live!
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 40°12′44″N 77°00′22″W / 40.21222°N 77.00611°W / 40.21222; -77.00611Coordinates: 40°12′44″N 77°00′22″W / 40.21222°N 77.00611°W / 40.21222; -77.00611
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Cumberland
Settled	1806
Incorporated	1828
Government
- Type	Borough Council
- Mayor	Jack Ritter
- Borough Manager	Patrick Edward Dennis
Area
- Total	2.6 sq mi (6.7 km2)
Elevation	446 ft (136 m)
Population (2007)
- Total	8,783
- Density	3,378.1/sq mi (1,304.3/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. It is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. 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 and longest-running one-day street fair on the east coast. It is estimated as many as 60,000 people attend Jubilee Day annually.^[1] Mechanicsburg lies in the center of a regional transportation crossroads, with Interstate 81, Interstate 76, Interstate 83, US Route 11, and US Route 15 passing in close proximity to the borough. Additionally, the Appalachian Trail passes through Pennsylvania a few miles from Mechanicsburg, in nearby Boiling Springs.

Geography

Mechanicsburg is located at 40°12′44″N 77°00′22″W / 40.212089°N 77.006143°W / 40.212089; -77.006143.^[2]

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.

Demographics

As of the census^[3] 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 per square mile (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 4,024 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.

History

Named for a settlement of mechanics who made and repaired Conestoga wagons in the early 19th century, 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 six trains travel through Mechanicsburg each day, which has recently increased due to new operations on the local sub-line owned by Norfolk Southern. Another part of Mechanicsburg's growth occurred when the Naval Support Activity was built on 840 acres (3.4 km²) of land in Hampden Township, Pennsylvania. NSA Mechanicsburg continues to serve as one of the Defense Departments major logistics sites. Although automotive technology changed the town forever, today's residents cannot dismiss the vital role the railroad played in its development.^[4]

Present-day Mechanicsburg is centered on 100 acres (0.40 km²) that Leonard Fisher purchased from Joseph Heynes tract (No. 1442 of an original grant of 267 acres (1.08 km²) 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. Briefly, referred to as Creekville during the Colonial Era, 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.^[4]

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.^[4]

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.^[4]

Notable residents

• Shawn Abner, former professional baseball player and #1 1984 Draft Selection
• Ben Abner, former professional baseball player and 1984 Draft Selection
• Scott McNaney , former professional baseball player 1988 Major League Baseball Draft | #477 SS Pick 19th Round Draft Selection
• Bruce Barclay, former controversial county commissioner and electronics contractor
• Del Beshore, former professional basketball player
• Karen Bill, Olympic athlete, professional boxer
• Mike Edwards, former professional baseball player
• Josh Gros, former professional soccer player and current team coordinator of Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union.
• Chris Hakel, former professional football player
• Bud Kohlhaas, former professional football player
• Luke Matheny, 2011 Academy Award winner, God of Love
• Bret Michaels, 'Poison' lead singer
• Jon Ritchie, former professional football player and television analyst
• Rikki Rockett, 'Poison' drummer
• Tamie Sheffield, professional wrestler, actress
• Andrew Kevin Walker, screenwriter, 8MM and Se7en
• Bobby Warshaw, professional soccer player
• Stacey Williams, supermodel, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
• Lucas Wolfe, World of Outlaws sprint car driver

Points of interest

• Liberty Forge Arboretum
• Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School
• Cumberland Valley High School
• Williams Grove Speedway
• Union Church
• Stationmaster's House
• Frankeberger Tavern
• Hall's tower

In popular culture

• Warren Zevon mentions Mechanicsburg in the song "Stop Rainin' Lord" on the album Preludes.^[5]
• The film Girl Interrupted uses the drug store, Eckels, in a scene.
• Mrs. Van Houten mentions Mechanicsburg in The Simpsons episode "Marge Be Not Proud"

References

1. ^ www.mechanicsburgchamber.org
2. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
3. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d} "Mechanicsburg Museum". http://www.mechanicsburgmuseum.org/. Retrieved 2008-05-07. 
5. ^ http://www.warrenzevon.com/music/index.htm