Loyalsock Township is a

township A township is a form of human settlement or administrative subdivision. Its exact definition varies among countries. Although the term is occasionally associated with an urban area, this tends to be an exception to the rule. In Australia, Canad ...

Lycoming County Lycoming County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 114,188. Its county seat is Williamsport. The county is part of the North Central region of the commonwealth. Lycoming County compris ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

, United States. The population was 11,561 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Williamsport Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the second largest

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality' ...

in Lycoming County, in terms of population, behind the county seat, Williamsport. The township was settled in 1768 and incorporated in 1786. It is located on the north bank of the

West Branch Susquehanna River The West Branch Susquehanna River is one of the two principal branches, along with the North Branch, of the Susquehanna River in the Northeastern United States. The North Branch, which rises in upstate New York, is generally regarded as the ex ...

. Native American artifacts can be commonly found in parks near the West Branch.

Archaeologists Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of Artifact (archaeology), artifacts, architecture, biofact (archaeology), biofacts or ecofacts, ...

have found over 1,500 pieces of Native American

pottery Pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. The place where such wares are made by a ''potter'' is al ...

weaponry A weapon, arm, or armament is any implement or device that is used to deter, threaten, inflict physical damage, harm, or kill. Weapons are used to increase the efficacy and efficiency of activities such as hunting, crime (e.g., murder), law e ...

and other artifacts, some being displayed in collections in

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...

, and

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

. Most can be found at local museums in nearby Williamsport.

History

Loyalsock Township was formed from Muncy Township in February 1786 by the Northumberland County court. This was nine years prior to the formation of Lycoming County. The township was originally bounded by the West Branch Susquehanna River to the south,

Loyalsock Creek Loyalsock Creek is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed August 8, 2011 tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River located chiefly in Sullivan and Lycoming counties in ...

to the east, and

Lycoming Creek Lycoming Creek is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed August 8, 2011 tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River located in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Tioga and Lyco ...

to the west. Canfield Island Stone Tools

In the

American Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which Am ...

, settlements throughout the Susquehanna valley and what was to become Loyalsock Township were attacked by

Loyalists Loyalism, in the United Kingdom, its overseas territories and its former colonies, refers to the allegiance to the British crown or the United Kingdom. In North America, the most common usage of the term refers to loyalty to the British Cr ...

and Native Americans allied with the British. After the

Wyoming Valley battle and massacre The Battle of Wyoming, also known as the Wyoming Massacre, was a military engagement during the American Revolutionary War between Patriot militia and a force of Loyalist soldiers and Iroquois warriors. The battle took place in the Wyoming Valle ...

in the summer of 1778 (near what is now

Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre ( , alternatively or ) is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. Located at the center of the Wyoming Valley in Northeastern Pennsylvania, it had a population of 44,328 in the 2020 census. ...

) and smaller local attacks, the "

Big Runaway The Big Runaway was a mass evacuation in June and July 1778 of White settlers from the frontier regions of North Central Pennsylvania during the American Revolutionary War. It was precipitated by a series of raids against local settlements on th ...

" occurred throughout the West Branch Susquehanna valley. Settlers fled fearing more attacks by the British and their allies. Homes and fields were abandoned, with livestock driven along and a few possessions floated on rafts on the river east to Muncy, then further south to Sunbury. The abandoned property was burnt by the attackers. Some settlers soon returned, only to flee again in the summer of 1779 in the "Little Runaway".

Sullivan's Expedition The 1779 Sullivan Expedition (also known as the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition, the Sullivan Campaign, and the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign) was a United States military campaign under the command of General John Sullivan during the American Revoluti ...

helped stabilize the area and encouraged resettlement, which continued after the war. Isaac and William McKinney, father and son, built the McKinney Iron Works along Lycoming Creek in western Loyalsock Township between 1825 and 1830, when they built a

forge A forge is a type of hearth used for heating metals, or the workplace (smithy) where such a hearth is located. The forge is used by the smith to heat a piece of metal to a temperature at which it becomes easier to shape by forging, or to the ...

, in an area known as Heshbon Park. Their operation was expanded in 1836 with the construction of an iron furnace and further still in 1841 when a

rolling mill In metalworking, rolling is a metal forming process in which metal stock is passed through one or more pairs of rolls to reduce the thickness, to make the thickness uniform, and/or to impart a desired mechanical property. The concept is simi ...

was added to the complex.

Iron ore Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. The ores are usually rich in iron oxides and vary in color from dark grey, bright yellow, or deep purple to rusty red. The iron is usually found in the f ...

was transported from Centre County down the

West Branch Susquehanna Valley The West Branch Susquehanna Valley of central Pennsylvania, United States, in the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians, is the low-lying area draining into the West Branch Susquehanna River southeast of the Allegheny Front, northeast of the Bald Eagle ...

and up Lycoming Creek to the iron works. The McKinneys' effort was ultimately unsuccessful. The efforts of two more iron masters also failed. The iron works was largely destroyed by a flood in 1865. Daniel Hughes was a conductor in the

Underground Railroad The Underground Railroad was an organized network of secret routes and safe houses used by freedom seekers to escape to the abolitionist Northern United States and Eastern Canada. Enslaved Africans and African Americans escaped from slavery ...

based in Loyalsock Township. He was the owner of a

barge A barge is typically a flat-bottomed boat, flat-bottomed vessel which does not have its own means of mechanical propulsion. Original use was on inland waterways, while modern use is on both inland and ocean, marine water environments. The firs ...

on the

Pennsylvania Canal The Pennsylvania Canal, sometimes known as the Pennsylvania Canal system, was a complex system of transportation infrastructure improvements, including canals, dams, Lock (water transport), locks, tow paths, Navigable aqueduct, aqueducts, and vi ...

and transported

lumber Lumber is wood that has been processed into uniform and useful sizes (dimensional lumber), including beams and planks or boards. Lumber is mainly used for construction framing, as well as finishing (floors, wall panels, window frames). ...

from Williamsport down the West Branch and main stem of the

Susquehanna River The Susquehanna River ( ; Unami language, Lenape: ) is a major river located in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, crossing three lower Northeastern United States, Northeast states (New York, Pennsylvani ...

Havre de Grace, Maryland Havre de Grace (), abbreviated HdG, is a city in Harford County, Maryland, Harford County, Maryland, United States. It is situated at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of Chesapeake Bay. It is named after the port city of Le Havre ...

. Hughes hid runaway slaves in the hold of his barge on his return trip up the Susquehanna to Lycoming County, where he provided shelter on his property near the Loyalsock Township border with Williamsport before they moved further north and to eventual freedom in

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

. Hughes' home was located in a hollow or small valley in the mountains just north of Williamsport. This hollow is now known as "Freedom Road", having previously been called "Nigger Hollow". In response to the actions of concerned African American citizens of Williamsport, the

pejorative A pejorative word, phrase, slur, or derogatory term is a word or grammatical form expressing a negative or disrespectful connotation, a low opinion, or a lack of respect toward someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hosti ...

name was formally changed by the Williamsport City Council in 1936. Canfield Island 2

Today, the floodplain between Williamsport and Montoursville is densely populated with family residences and a shopping district known as the "Golden Strip" along East Third Street. The northern and western parts of the township are less heavily populated but still there are many family homes and small businesses. The population of Loyalsock Township has grown to 11,026 as of the 2010 census, up from 10,876 at the 2000 census.

Geography and climate

Loyalsock Township is in south-central Lycoming County and is bordered by Montoursville to the southeast, Fairfield Township to the east, and Upper Fairfield Township to the northeast. These eastern borders are formed by

, which joins the

at the township's southeastern corner. The township is bordered by the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Williamsport to the south (with Armstrong Township south of the river).

forms the western border of the township, with Old Lycoming Township across the creek. The townships of Hepburn and Eldred form the northern border. The most densely settled part of the township is in the south, comprising the unincorporated communities of Faxon to the west and Kenmar to the east. The township is north of

Harrisburg Harrisburg ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat, seat of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County. With a population of 50, ...

, the state capital, northwest of

, west of

, and south of

Elmira, New York Elmira () is a Administrative divisions of New York#City, city in 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. ...

. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the township has a total area of , of which are land and , or 1.60%, are water.

Climate

Demographics

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2000, there were 10,876 people, 4,501 households, and 2,966 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 4,687 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 94.81%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 2.64%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 0.13% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.01%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 0.33% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 0.86% of the population. There were 4,501 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.80. In the township the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 29.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 81.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.0 males. The median income for a household in the township was $36,806, and the median income for a family was $47,952. Males had a median income of $39,623 versus $24,684 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the township was $23,480. About 6.8% of families and 8.7% of the population 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 ...

, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Major roadways

- Interstate 180 *U.S. Route 220 *East Third Street (Former U.S. Route 220) *Washington Boulevard *Four Mile Drive *Northway Road *Lycoming Creek Road *Warrensville Road *Poco Farm Road *Bloomingrove Road The southern part of the township is crossed by Interstate 180, with two exits (Exits 25 and 23) into Loyalsock. I-180 leads west to its western terminus in Williamsport, and southeast to

Interstate 80 Interstate 80 (I-80) is an east–west transcontinental freeway that crosses the United States from San Francisco, California, to Teaneck, New Jersey, in the New York metropolitan area. The highway was designated in 1956 as one of the ori ...

near Milton.

U.S. Route 220 U.S. Route 220 (US 220) is a spur route of US 20. It runs in a north–south layout in the eastern United States, unlike its parent route as well as conventionally even-numbered highways, which run east-west. US 220 extends for ...

runs concurrently with I-180 through the township. The township has multiple major roadways, most notably East Third Street, which begins in Williamsport to the west and ends at the township's eastern border with Montoursville, where the road name changes to Broad Street. Northway Road begins at Exit 25 off I-180 and continues north until it reaches the township's northern border. Four Mile Drive begins at the township's western border with Williamsport and stretches to Warrensville Road, near the eastern border, and

. Four Mile Drive has a mixture of commercial and residential properties, including Donald E. Schick Elementary School and Divine Providence Hospital.

Air

Located in neighboring Montoursville is

Williamsport Regional Airport Williamsport Regional Airport serves Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area with a population of roughly 200,000. The airport processes approximately 40,000 passengers annually and has served north central Pennsylvania since 1929. ...

(KIPT/IPT). On 23 May 2024, Southern Airways Express (SAE) began regular passenger flights 7 days a week from Williamsport to Washington Dulles International Airport.

Rail

The Lycoming Valley Railroad runs along the West Branch Susquehanna River on the southern border of the township.

Economy

Top employers

Education

Loyalsock Township School District consists of a

high school A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary schools provide both ''lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper secondary education'' (ages 14 to 18), i.e., ...

, middle school and elementary school. All schools in the district rank in the top 150 in the state in test scores and teacher preparedness. The schools in the district are: *Donald E. Schick Elementary (formerly known as Four Mile Elementary) *Loyalsock Township Middle School * Loyalsock Township High School Former: *J George Becht Elementary (1929-2005). Named after Lycoming County Superintendent of Schools 1893-1902 J George Becht. A

lancer A lancer was a type of cavalryman who fought with a lance. Lances were used for mounted warfare in Assyria as early as and subsequently by India, Egypt, China, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The weapon was widely used throughout Eurasia during the M ...

is the mascot for the school district. The school colors are maroon, white and Carolina blue. In 2008, 2013 and 2014, the boy's varsity baseball team won the PIAA AA State Championship. In 2021, the boy’s varsity basketball team won the PIAA Class AAA State Championship.

Public safety

Police

Loyalsock does not have a police department. The township is policed by the

Pennsylvania State Police The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is the state police, state police agency of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, responsible for statewide law enforcement. The Pennsylvania State Police is a full service law enforcement agency which handles both ...

Troop F - Montoursville. Loyalsock School District does however have a police department, the Loyalsock Township School District Police Department, who protect the districts two school complexes during school hours.

Fire and rescue

Fire department coverage is provided by the Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Company, Lycoming County Station 18. It has an

EMS Ems or EMS may refer to: Places and rivers * Domat/Ems, a Swiss municipality in the canton of Grisons * Ems (river) (Eems), a river in northwestern Germany and northeastern Netherlands that discharges in the Dollart Bay * Ems (Eder), a river o ...

department that staffs one Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) ambulance 24/7, a Basic Life Support ambulance intermittently during the week, and a third reserve Basic Life Support ambulance. Station 18 also provides fire and rescue. Loyalsock VFC houses the counties only Mobile Air unit. They have been in operation since 1925.

Notable people

The following are notable people who were born, lived or currently reside within the township: * Pat Daneker, former

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

pitcher * Bob Farley, former MLB outfielder * Dylan Rockoff, singer * Jeff Wheeland, politician *

Tom Woodruff Jr. Tom Woodruff Jr. (born January 21, 1959) is an American actor, director, producer and special effects supervisor. He won an Academy Award for Best Special Effects for his work on the 1992 dark fantasy film ''Death Becomes Her''; that same year ...

, actor * Gene Yaw, politician

References

External links

* {{Authority control Townships in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania Populated places established in 1768 1768 establishments in Pennsylvania