Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
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Selinsgrove is the largest
borough A borough is an administrative division in various English-speaking countries. In principle, the term ''borough'' designates a self-governing walled town, although in practice, official use of the term varies widely. History In the Middle Ag ...
in Snyder County,
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
, United States. The population is estimated to be 5,761 for the 2020 Census. Selinsgrove is geographically located in the middle of the
Susquehanna River Valley The Susquehanna Valley is a region of low-lying land that borders the Susquehanna River in the U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The valley consists of areas that lie along the main branch of the river, which flows from Up ...
in Central Pennsylvania, along U.S. Routes 11 and 15, north of
Harrisburg Harrisburg is the capital city of the Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County. With a population of 50,135 as of the 2021 census, Harrisburg is the List of c ...
and southwest of Sunbury. It is the home of
Susquehanna University Susquehanna University is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Its name is derived from the original Susquehannock settlers of the region. Founded in 1858 as a m ...
.


History

Selinsgrove was founded in 1787 by Captain Anthony Selin, who fought in the
American Revolution The American Revolution was an ideological and political revolution that occurred in British America between 1765 and 1791. The Americans in the Thirteen Colonies formed independent states that defeated the British in the American Revolut ...
. The Penns Creek Massacre on October 16, 1755 was the first of a series of deadly raids on Pennsylvania settlements by Native Americans allied with the French in the
French and Indian War The French and Indian War (1754–1763) was a theater of the Seven Years' War, which pitted the North American colonies of the British Empire against those of the French, each side being supported by various Native American tribes. At the ...
. A marker on the bank of
Penns Creek Penns Creek is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed August 8, 2011 tributary of the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania in the United States.Gertler, Edward. ''Keyst ...
north of Selinsgrove commemorates the massacre of 14 settlers and the capture of 11 more. In response to this and other Indian actions that day, Fort Augusta,
Sunbury, Pennsylvania Sunbury is a city and county seat of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in Central Pennsylvania's Susquehanna Valley on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, just downstream of the confluence of its main and west ...
, the largest of Pennsylvania's frontier forts, was built in 1756 as a result of this conflict.
Selinsgrove Hall and Seibert Hall Selinsgrove Hall and Seibert Hall are two historic educational buildings located on the campus of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove in Snyder County, Pennsylvania. Selinsgrove Hall is a -story brick structure constructed in 1858 in the Italia ...
at Susquehanna University and Gov. Simon Snyder Mansion on Market Street are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
.


Geography

According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the borough has a total area of . Selinsgrove borders the
Susquehanna River The Susquehanna River (; Lenape: Siskëwahane) is a major river located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, overlapping between the lower Northeast and the Upland South. At long, it is the longest river on the East Coast of the ...
. The portion of the borough that is located between
Penns Creek Penns Creek is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed August 8, 2011 tributary of the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania in the United States.Gertler, Edward. ''Keyst ...
and the Susquehanna River is known locally as the "Isle of Que" (pronounced ''queue'').


Climate


Demographics

Selinsgrove is the principal city in the Selinsgrove, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area'','' and is also part of the larger Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area. As of the
census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2010, there were 5,654 people, 1,812 households, and 930 families residing in the borough. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was 2,976 people per square mile (1,149/km²). There were 1,934 housing units, of which 122 were vacant. The
racial makeup A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...
of the borough was 91.7% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 1.8% from "some other race," and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.0% of the population. A majority of the Hispanic or Latino population was Mexican. The presence of Susquehanna University strongly impacts the borough's demographics: 31.1% of the population lives in group quarters - largely dormitories - rather than in households. The student population is also visible in the disproportionate share of 18- to 24-year-olds. Of the 1,812 households, 930 were families, 449 of which included related children under age 18. Among the families, 632 were husband-wife families, of which 231 had children at home. Only 92 households included 5 or more people. Among the 882 non-family households, 404 were women living alone and 255 were men living alone. There were 1,760 people living in group quarters, of whom 153 were institutionalized. Among the non-institutionalized 1,607 living in group quarters - i.e. university students - 54% were female. The borough's median age was 22.9 years. Due to the college, 39% of residents were age 18-24. Another 14% were under 18, 17% were 25-44, 16% were 45-64, and 14% were 65 and older. Women make up the borough's majority, 53.6% of the population, implying that there are 86 men for every 100 women in Selinsgrove. Among those age 65 and older, 65% are women. The share of women is 52 or 53% for ages 18–24, 25-44, and 45-64. Among children, girls are 49% of the population. According to the 2013-2017 American Community Survey, median income for a household in the borough was $47,500, and the median income for a family was $54,190. The
unemployment rate Unemployment, according to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), is people above a specified age (usually 15) not being in paid employment or self-employment but currently available for work during the referen ...
for residents age 25-64 was 1.8% and the labor force participation rate was 84.1%. About 11% of families and 10% of the population (excluding students) were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
. However, income and poverty statistics for a community this small are reported with large margins of error and do not cover the student population.


Economy

The largest local employers are housing-related manufacturers and educational institutions including the public schools and
Susquehanna University Susquehanna University is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Its name is derived from the original Susquehannock settlers of the region. Founded in 1858 as a m ...
. Educational services and health care/social assistance combined are projected to be about 90.7% of all job growth by 2014 in the central region. Manufacturing of both non-durable and durable goods are expected to lose over 4,000 jobs (a change of about -9.1% in employment) in the same time period. Construction is the only goods-producing sector projecting job growth, where employment may increase by about 210 jobs (or about 2.1%). Outside of the community local region employment includes: service jobs in local businesses, area hospitals which include UPMC Susquehanna Sunbury in Sunbury and Evangelical Hospital in Lewisburg.


Government

The borough is governed by an elected council of seven residents. There is an elected mayor, a borough manager and a chief of police. The borough council consists primarily of Democrats and Republicans, but members of the Green Party and Libertarian Party have also served. Selinsgrove is located within the 85th Legislative District for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Pennsylvania Senate District 27 office is held by Senator
John Gordner John R. Gordner (born January 5, 1962) is an American lawyer and politician. A Republican, he represented the 27th District in the Pennsylvania State Senate (2003–2022) and the 109th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1993 ...
. Selinsgrove is in the US House of Representatives 12th district, represented by Fred Keller.


Transportation

US Routes 11, 15 and 522, along with
PA Route 35 Pennsylvania Route 35 (PA 35) is a state highway located in central Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 522 (US 522) near Shade Gap. The northern terminus is at US 11/ US 15 in Selinsgrove. Route ...
pass through Selinsgrove. Intercity bus service is provided between the borough and
Harrisburg Harrisburg is the capital city of the Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County. With a population of 50,135 as of the 2021 census, Harrisburg is the List of c ...
to the south and Williamsport and
Elmira, New York Elmira () is a city and the county seat of Chemung County, New York, United States. It is the principal city of the Elmira, New York, metropolitan statistical area, which encompasses Chemung County. The population was 26,523 at the 2020 cens ...
to the north by Fullington Trailways.


Education

Selinsgrove Area School District Selinsgrove Area School District is a mid-sized, suburban/rural public school district centered in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania in eastern Snyder County, Pennsylvania. The Selinsgrove Area School District encompasses approximately . The district is ...
is the local public school system. The district operates four schools clustered on a campus located in Selinsgrove borough.


Parks

Kidsgrove Park is a 3.25-acre neighborhood park maintained and operated by Kidsgrove, Inc. The park contains a large wooden play structure, universal swings and sandbox, a band shell, picnic pavilions and tables, accessible walking path and permanent restrooms that are open seasonally. Off-street parking is available. Major Anthony Selin Park located on Sassafras Street is equipped with horseshoe, quoit, and basketball courts and soccer fields. A large covered pavilion for picnics can be reserved for outings and reunions. This facility also offers a kitchen area, restrooms, and game equipment. A “Life Trail”, which is a system of exercise and walking trails, is one feature of the park. Local businesses have donated kiosks that provide information on fitness for active adults. During the summer of 2011, this program offered a sport-camp atmosphere promoting physical activity. Activities will include soccer, baseball, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, etc. A different sport was featured each week. The program consisted of fitness and sports activities. Pump House Park and Gazebo The Pump House Park includes a building that can be rented for any meeting, party, or group event. This facility contains restrooms and a kitchen, as well as a meeting space that comfortably seats about 30 people and can be rearranged for as many as 60. The Gazebo is another great feature of the park, located in an attractive setting along Penns Creek. The Gazebo is a popular spot for outdoor weddings, and also hosts a concert series of local performers during June, July, and August. "Music at the Gazebo" is a program that runs from June through August with free concerts held in Pump House Park. East Snyder Park is a multi-use facility which is under development using state grants and local donations. It is located along the upper end of University Ave. near Rt. 522, at the location of the existing Penn Township ball fields. The master plan of the park calls for nine professional grade horseshoe pits, baseball, softball, football and soccer fields, a preschool playground with age appropriate apparatus (Kaboom grant) a playground for older children, and a small wetland conservation education area. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission maintains boating access to the Susquehanna River on the Isle of Que. Susquehanna Greenway is a regional effort to link natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources along the corridor of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. A public swimming pool was built in the early 1970s.


Community organizations

Selinsgrove Area Community Foundation (SACF) was founded in 1994 and is affiliated with the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation (CSCF). SAYF awards scholarships to Selinsgrove Area school students and has provided funding to community projects such as KidsGrove, the Selinsgrove Pool, Snyder County Library System, and improvements at the high school's Bolig football field and track fields. The Selinsgrove Adult Band gives an annual spring concert utilizing school district facilities. This concert benefits the
American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer. Established in 1913, the society is organized into six geographical regions of both medical and lay volunteers operating in more than ...
. In 2012 the following crime statistics were reported to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System by the borough police department: Sex-related offenses - 10
Robbery - 3
Assaults - 98
Property offenses - 268
Arson - 1
Drug violations - 34
Other alcohol crimes - 62 In April 2016, a murder in Selinsgrove attracted international attention when 9-year-old Hilde Lysiak covered the story for her '' Orange Street News'' and was subsequently criticized because of her age and the subject of the story.


Cemeteries

* Evergreen (Baker's) * Saint Paul's United Church of Christ * Trinity (English, New) Lutheran * Sharon (German) Evangelical Lutheran * Wagenseller's Union * Old Lutheran Cemetery - The grave of three-term Pennsylvania Governor Simon Snyder is located here. .


Notable people

*
Benjamin Burnley Benjamin Jackson Burnley IV (born March 10, 1978) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the founder and frontman of the American rock band Breaking Benjamin. As the sole constant of the group, Burnley h ...
of rock group
Breaking Benjamin Breaking Benjamin is an American Rock music, rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, formed in 1999 by lead singer and guitarist Benjamin Burnley and drummer Jeremy Hummel. The first lineup of the band also included guitarist Aaron Fink an ...
*
Jacob Coxey Jacob Sechler Coxey Sr. (April 16, 1854 – May 18, 1951), sometimes known as General Coxey, of Massillon, Ohio, was an American politician who ran for elective office several times in Ohio. Twice, in 1894 and 1914, he led "Coxey's Army", a grou ...
,
socialist Socialism is a left-wing economic philosophy and movement encompassing a range of economic systems characterized by the dominance of social ownership of the means of production as opposed to private ownership. As a term, it describes the e ...
and
populist Populism refers to a range of political stances that emphasize the idea of "the people" and often juxtapose this group against " the elite". It is frequently associated with anti-establishment and anti-political sentiment. The term develop ...
politician *
Jim Davidson James Cameron Davidson (born 13 December 1953) is an English stand-up comedian, actor, singer and TV presenter. He hosted the television shows '' Big Break'' and ''The Generation Game''. He also developed two adult pantomime shows such as ''B ...
, actor and model, Selinsgrove High School alumni * Aaron Fink, member of rock group
Breaking Benjamin Breaking Benjamin is an American Rock music, rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, formed in 1999 by lead singer and guitarist Benjamin Burnley and drummer Jeremy Hummel. The first lineup of the band also included guitarist Aaron Fink an ...
and Lifer *
Euell Gibbons Euell Theophilus Gibbons (September 8, 1911 – December 29, 1975) was an outdoorsman and early health food advocate, promoting eating wild foods during the 1960s. Early career Gibbons was born in Clarksville, Texas, on September 8, 1911 ...
, naturalist, died in Sunbury *
Jeremy Hummel Jeremy may refer to: * Jeremy (given name), a given name * Jérémy, a French given name * ''Jeremy'' (film), a 1973 film * "Jeremy" (song), a song by Pearl Jam * Jeremy (snail), a left-coiled garden snail that died in 2017 * ''Jeremy'', a 191 ...
of the rock group
Breaking Benjamin Breaking Benjamin is an American Rock music, rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, formed in 1999 by lead singer and guitarist Benjamin Burnley and drummer Jeremy Hummel. The first lineup of the band also included guitarist Aaron Fink an ...
* Hilde Lysiak, journalist, editor and publisher of the '' Orange Street News'', the only publication devoted exclusively to covering the events of Selinsgrove
Matthew Lysiak
nationally recognize

an
Author
currently resides in Selinsgrove *
Jeanne Shaheen Cynthia Jeanne Shaheen ( ; née Bowers, born January 28, 1947) is an American retired educator and politician serving as the senior United States senator from New Hampshire since 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, Shaheen served as the 78 ...
, Governor of
New Hampshire New Hampshire is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...
from 1997–2003; elected junior senator from
New Hampshire New Hampshire is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...
in 2008. * Simon Snyder, governor of Pennsylvania 1808-1817 *
Amos Alonzo Stagg Amos Alonzo Stagg (August 16, 1862 – March 17, 1965) was an American athlete and college coach in multiple sports, primarily American football. He served as the head football coach at the International YMCA Training School (now called Springfie ...
, football coach, served as an advisor at Susquehanna University from 1947 to 1952


Popular culture

On April 30, 1988 the world's longest banana split was created in Selinsgrove. It was long.


References


External links


Official Borough Site


Dan Barry, New York Times {{authority control Pennsylvania populated places on the Susquehanna River Populated places established in 1787 Boroughs in Snyder County, Pennsylvania 1787 establishments in Pennsylvania