Bristol, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Bristol is a borough in Bucks County
, Pennsylvania
, 23 miles (37 km) northeast of Philadelphia
opposite Burlington, N.J.
on the Delaware River
. Bristol was first incorporated in 1720. Although its charter was revised in 1905, the original charter remains in effect, making Bristol one of the older boroughs in Pennsylvania. 7,104 people lived in Bristol in 1900; 9,256 in 1910; 10,273 in 1920; and 11,895 in 1940. The population was 9,726 at the 2010 census. The current Mayor
is Robert Lebo.
The first female Mayor
was Margaret Stakenas elected in 1979.
. It was originally used as a port and dock. Bristol is rich in history, boasting many historic and restored houses that line the streets of Radcliffe and Mill.
Until 1725 Bristol served as county seat of Bucks County
.
From its earliest days Bristol was a center of milling. With the building of the Delaware Canal and the Pennsylvania Railroad
it became a center of transportation and an attractive location for industry.
By the 1880s Bristol was home to many factories, including companies manufacturing wall paper and carpet.
In 1917 Averell Harriman organized the Bristol Ship yards. The area around the ship yards was named Harriman. In 1922 Harriman was annexed by Bristol.
During World War II
the old shipyards were used to build air planes.
In 1961, Bristol gained national attention when the song "Bristol Stomp
", by The Dovells
hit #2 on the Billboard pop chart. The song remains a local favorite, and it is often played at ceremonies, parades, and sporting events.
.
Silver Lake Park and Nature Center provides an area of recreation.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), of which, 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (10.81%) is water.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 9,923 people, 4,004 households, and 2,442 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 6,016.5 people per square mile (2,322.0/km²). There were 4,207 housing units at an average density of 2,550.8 per square mile (984.4/km²).
There were 4,004 households out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples
living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the borough the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $35,378, and the median income for a family was $44,517. Males had a median income of $35,090 versus $27,836 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $17,198. About 8.2% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Other schooling opportunities in Bristol are offered through the Roman Catholic parish schools of both St. Ann Church (K-8) and St. Mark Church (K-8), both located in the borough. Conwell-Egan Roman Catholic School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania
provides private/parochial schooling for children in grades 9-12. Higher education in Bristol includes Pennco Tech
.
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, 23 miles (37 km) northeast of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
opposite Burlington, N.J.
Burlington, New Jersey
Burlington is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,920....
on the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
. Bristol was first incorporated in 1720. Although its charter was revised in 1905, the original charter remains in effect, making Bristol one of the older boroughs in Pennsylvania. 7,104 people lived in Bristol in 1900; 9,256 in 1910; 10,273 in 1920; and 11,895 in 1940. The population was 9,726 at the 2010 census. The current Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
is Robert Lebo.
The first female Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
was Margaret Stakenas elected in 1979.
History
First settled as Buckingham (for Buckingham, England) in 1681, the borough of Bristol, Pennsylvania is about 30 minutes north of Center City Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. It was originally used as a port and dock. Bristol is rich in history, boasting many historic and restored houses that line the streets of Radcliffe and Mill.
Until 1725 Bristol served as county seat of Bucks County
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
.
From its earliest days Bristol was a center of milling. With the building of the Delaware Canal and the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
it became a center of transportation and an attractive location for industry.
By the 1880s Bristol was home to many factories, including companies manufacturing wall paper and carpet.
In 1917 Averell Harriman organized the Bristol Ship yards. The area around the ship yards was named Harriman. In 1922 Harriman was annexed by Bristol.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the old shipyards were used to build air planes.
In 1961, Bristol gained national attention when the song "Bristol Stomp
Bristol Stomp
"Bristol Stomp" is a song written in 1961 by Kal Mann and Dave Appell, two executives with the Cameo-Parkway record label, for The Dovells, an a cappella singing group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who recorded the song for Cameo-Parkway late that year. It was originally recorded by a group from...
", by The Dovells
The Dovells
The Dovells were an American music group, formed at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1957, under the name 'The Brooktones'. The members were Arnie Silver, Mark Gordesky, Len Borisoff , Jerry Gross, Mike Freda and Jim Mealey...
hit #2 on the Billboard pop chart. The song remains a local favorite, and it is often played at ceremonies, parades, and sporting events.
Tourism
Attractions include the Bristol Riverside Theatre, and the Margaret R. Grundy Library and Museum. In the summer there are many festivals and free concerts, including the Antique Auto Show, Celtic Day, African-American Day, Italian Day, an Arts & Crafts Festival, the Fall Auto Show and Puerto Rican Day, all held at the Bristol Lions Park, Bristol Wharf and in the Historic Mill Street Shopping District by the Delaware RiverDelaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
.
Silver Lake Park and Nature Center provides an area of recreation.
Geography
Bristol is located at 40°6′12"N 74°51′5"W (40.103382, -74.851448).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), of which, 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (10.81%) is water.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, the borough was 73.8% Non-Hispanic White, 9.5% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, and 3.5% were two or more races. 14.2% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 9,923 people, 4,004 households, and 2,442 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 6,016.5 people per square mile (2,322.0/km²). There were 4,207 housing units at an average density of 2,550.8 per square mile (984.4/km²).
There were 4,004 households out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the borough the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $35,378, and the median income for a family was $44,517. Males had a median income of $35,090 versus $27,836 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $17,198. About 8.2% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Bristol Borough School District comprises two public schools: Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary School (K-8) and Bristol High School (9-12).Other schooling opportunities in Bristol are offered through the Roman Catholic parish schools of both St. Ann Church (K-8) and St. Mark Church (K-8), both located in the borough. Conwell-Egan Roman Catholic School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania
Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania
Fairless Hills is a census-designated place in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,466 at the 2010 census.-History:...
provides private/parochial schooling for children in grades 9-12. Higher education in Bristol includes Pennco Tech
Pennco Tech
Pennco Tech is a for-profit technical school with locations in Bristol, Pennsylvania and Blackwood, New Jersey. It was founded in 1973.-Academics:Pennco Tech awards certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees in health care and technology fields....
.
Notable people
- Poul AndersonPoul AndersonPoul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories...
, science fiction writer. - Daniel W. BurschDaniel W. BurschDaniel Wheeler Bursch is an engineer and former NASA astronaut, and captain of the United States Navy. He had four spaceflight, the first three of which were Space Shuttle missions lasting 10 to 11 days each...
, astronaut. - John F. CordiscoJohn F. CordiscoJohn F. Cordisco is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.While working as a steel worker, Cordisco earned an undergraduate degree from Rider College and a law degree from Temple...
, former State Representative and Bucks County Democratic Committee Chairman. - Tony DiStefanoTony DiStefanoTony DiStefano was a top motocross champion of the 1970s. He won three AMA 250cc National Motocross Championships....
, motocross national champion. - Ileen GetzIleen GetzIleen Getz was an American actress, most recognized for her role as Dr. Judith Draper in the television series 3rd Rock from the Sun.Getz was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania...
(August 7, 1961 - August 4, 2005), actress. - Joseph R. GrundyJoseph R. GrundyJoseph Ridgway Grundy was an American textile manufacturer and Republican Party politician from Bristol, Pennsylvania. He represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate.He was educated at Swarthmore College...
(January 13, 1863 – March 3, 1961), textile manufacturer and politician. - Lauren HollyLauren HollyLauren Michael Holly is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the TV series Picket Fences, as Mary Swanson in the 1994 film Dumb & Dumber, and as Jenny Shepard on the TV series NCIS. She was married to comic actor Jim Carrey from 1996 to...
, actress. - Eddie JamesEddie JamesEddie James is an American murderer and sex offender. His appearance on the national television show America's Most Wanted led to his capture and conviction for the killings of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother in September 1993.- Biography :James believed his last name was Matlack until the...
, convicted murderer. - Brad Little, actor.
- Jeff MantoJeff MantoJeffrey Paul Manto is a former journeyman Major League Baseball player.-Early career:Manto attended Temple University, where he played baseball. Manto was drafted in the 35th round of the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Yankees, but opted not to sign with them...
, professional baseball player. - Joe McEwingJoe McEwingJoseph Earl McEwing is a former Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career with the New York Mets, where he played from through . Nicknamed "Super Joe", he was the prototypical utility player who could play any position on the field well...
, professional baseball player. - Joseph McIlvaineJoseph McIlvaineJoseph McIlvaine was a United States Senator from New Jersey from 1823 until his death.-Early life and career:McIlvaine was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania to Col. Joseph Mcllvaine and Catherine Swan...
(October 2, 1769 – August 19, 1826), United States Senator. - William RodmanWilliam RodmanWilliam Rodman was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.William Rodman was born in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, near Bristol, Pennsylvania. He served in the American Revolutionary War as a private and subsequently as brigade quartermaster. He commanded a company...
(October 7, 1757 – July 27, 1824), United States Congressman. - Joanna Fox WaddillJoanna Fox WaddillJoanna Painter Waddill was a nurse assisting wounded and ill Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. She became celebrated as the "Florence Nightingale of the Confederacy" for her humanitarianism....
, American Civil War nurse; known as the "Florence Nightengale of the Confederacy." - Todd WeinerTodd WeinerTodd Michael Weiner is former American football American football offensive tackle of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas State.Weiner also played for the Atlanta Falcons....
, professional football player. - Niles YoungNiles YoungNiles Young is an American professional wrestler who competes in Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic independent promotions including NWA Force One Pro Wrestling, Chikara, Combat Zone Wrestling, Future of Wrestling, the Eastern Wrestling Alliance, Hardway Wrestling, International Wrestling Syndicate,...
, professional wrestler. - Will ThomasWill ThomasWill Thomas, born 1958 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is a novelist who writes a Victorian mystery series featuring Cyrus Barker, a Scottish detective or "private enquiry agent," and his Welsh assistant, Thomas Llewelyn. The Barker/Llewelyn novels are set in the 1880s and often feature historical...
, novelist. - Jeffrey Costello, fashion designer.
- John Thompson Dorrance, founder of Campbell Soup CompanyCampbell Soup CompanyCampbell Soup Company , also known as Campbell's, is an American producer of canned soups and related products. Campbell's products are sold in 120 countries around the world. It is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey...
. - William Edward HanfordWilliam Edward HanfordDr. William Edward "Butch" Hanford was an American chemist who is best known for developing the modern process to make multipurpose material polyurethane. Hanford’s most notable discovery occurred while working with fellow chemist Dr. Donald Fletcher Holmes at DuPont. On June 2, 1942, Hanford was...
(December 9, 1908 – January 27, 1996), chemist. - David ToddDavid Todd (producer)-Biography:David Todd was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He began his career in the music industry at a small retail record store in New York around 1970. Because of his discriminating ear and extensive knowledge of dance music, he was invited to DJ at Fire Island's prestigious Ice Palace in 1971...
, Record promoter and producer.