Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Lewisburg is a borough
in Union County
, Pennsylvania, United States, 30 miles (48.3 km) south by southeast of Williamsport
and 60 miles (96.6 km) north of Harrisburg
. In the past, it was the commercial center for a fertile grain and general farming region. The population was 5,620 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Union County
. Located in central Pennsylvania, on the West Branch Susquehanna River
, Lewisburg is northwest of Sunbury
. It is home to Bucknell University
and is near the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary
. Its 19th century downtown was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
family and other neighboring land owners; 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. Even as many of the other inhabitants routinely were sacked by Native Americans, Derr's lands remained free from attacks. Subsequently, in 1783, he worked with Samuel Weiser (son of Conrad Weiser
, the famous Native Americans liaison who died in 1760, and with whose family Derr's own paternal family had been friends) to layout his combined land tracts, and create Derrstown. The name was later, after Derr's death, changed to Lewisburg.
Much has been considered regarding 'how' the name changed from Derrstown to Lewisburg. The most likely truth is that Derr's first name "Ludwig" translated into English as "Louis" but, being of German descent, it was spelled "Lewis". Later, after Derr's death, the traditional germanic "burg" was appended to his first name to create Lewisburg.
The street names that run East and West are a local urban mystery. St. George, St. Catherine, and St. Louis etc. appear to be named for Saints. However, since Derr was a Lutheran, and did not pay homage to Catholic saints, this is unlikely. Rather, the street names are more likely named for Derr's family members, as 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 Catherine and Ludwig/Lewis (sic) himself. The other original street names that still exist are St. John, St. Mary and St. Anthony, which are probably 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. Overall, however, 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.
The second mystery surrounding Lewisburg is the disappearance of its founder Ludwig Derr. After selling several lots of land, Derr set off for Philadelphia to sell additional lots. Shortly after arriving, records indicate some of his lots had sold. However, Ludwig Derr simply disappears from history in that city. Derr's son George went to Philadelphia to search for his father, but returned a short time later, unsuccessful.
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
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 5,620 people, 1,778 households, and 787 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 5,724.7 people per square mile (2,214.2/km2). There were 1,938 housing units at an average density of 1,974.1 per square mile (763.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.57% White, 2.62% African American, 0.18% 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.
The borough is located in the 85th House District and the 23rd Senate District of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. With regards to the U.S. House of Representatives, residents are in Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district
. Each state is represented by two at large senators in the United States Senate
.
, placing it among the top 3% of high schools in the nation. The Lewisburg Area High School
has been ranked in the top ten percent in the state. In 2007, Pittsburgh Business Times ranked the district 39th out of 499 Pennsylvania school districts based on three years of Pennsylvania System of Student Assessment test scores. The district has been innovative in meeting the needs of their special education students which has led to substantially increasing costs.
They provide technical training through the regional SUN Area Career and Technical Center located in New Berlin, Pennsylvania.
Donald H Eichhorn Middle School serves 6th through eighth grades. The school was recognized as one of the finest in the nation when it received the National Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence from the United States Department of Education in 2002. The school was awarded as a National Schools To Watch in 2010.
Linntown Intermediate houses grades four and five with a student population of 270 and approximately 20 professional staff members.
Kelly Elementary serves kindergarten through third grades. The school has approximately 560 students. It offers a child centered learning program that builds a solid foundation of reading and math skills for all students. Class sizes are typically 20 or less to maximize learning experiences in the formative years. In 2008, the district changed to all day kindergarten in order to prepare its students to meet rigorous academic goals. A small school district, the enrollment in kindergarten in 2008 is 141 pupils.
Pennsylvania conducted a Costing Out Study to identify how much per pupil spending should be to achieve student success. The study called for the district to spend $11,538 per child. The district spends $9,242 per pupil ( a $2,297 deficit in spending per pupil according to the study), with outstanding results and a well rounded program. Lewisburg Area School District ranked 220th of all 501 districts in per pupil spending Lewisburg ranked 39th of all 501 districts in academic performance on the PSSA.
In 2007 the district levied a variety of taxes to support its programs. Taxes include a levy of 13.06 mills on real estate, a per capita tax of $15 on residents who are at least 18, and a tax of 1.5 percent on the earned income. In May 2007 the district's voters rejected raising the local earned income tax to reduce property taxes.
A Pre-Kindergarten program was added in the fall of 2008. It serves a small number of children ages 3 and 4. The program's cost for the first year was paid for with a $78,000 state grant.
on June 21, 1972. The park is in his honor, as is a footbridge built in 1982.
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
in Union County
Union County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 41,624 people, 13,178 households, and 9,211 families residing in the county. The population density was 131 people per square mile . There were 14,684 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
, Pennsylvania, United States, 30 miles (48.3 km) south by southeast of Williamsport
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. In 2009, the population was estimated at 29,304...
and 60 miles (96.6 km) north of Harrisburg
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. In the past, it was the commercial center for a fertile grain and general farming region. The population was 5,620 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Union County
Union County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 41,624 people, 13,178 households, and 9,211 families residing in the county. The population density was 131 people per square mile . There were 14,684 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
. Located in central Pennsylvania, on the West Branch Susquehanna River
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 extension of the main branch, with the shorter West Branch...
, Lewisburg is northwest of Sunbury
Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Sunbury is a city in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is located on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, just downstream of the confluence of its main and West branches. The population was 9,905 at the 2010 census...
. It is home to Bucknell University
Bucknell University
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of...
and is near the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary
Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary
The United States Penitentiary in Lewisburg is a male inmate high security federal penitentiary and satellite minimum security prison camp housing some 1,000 and 500 respectively, just outside Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The Lewisburg Penitentiary was opened in 1932...
. Its 19th century downtown was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
History
Lewisburg was founded in 1784 by Ludwig Derr. A settler of the area (since as early as 1763-1769), Derr had purchased several tracts of land from the William PennWilliam Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
family and other neighboring land owners; 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
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
of the area. Even as many of the other inhabitants routinely were sacked by Native Americans, Derr's lands remained free from attacks. Subsequently, in 1783, he worked with Samuel Weiser (son of Conrad Weiser
Conrad Weiser
Weiser's colonial service began in 1731. The Iroquois sent Shikellamy, an Oneida chief, as an emissary to other tribes and the British. Shikellamy lived on the Susquehanna River at Shamokin village, near present-day Sunbury, Pennsylvania. An oral tradition holds that Weiser met Shikellamy while...
, the famous Native Americans liaison who died in 1760, and with whose family Derr's own paternal family had been friends) to layout his combined land tracts, and create Derrstown. The name was later, after Derr's death, changed to Lewisburg.
Much has been considered regarding 'how' the name changed from Derrstown to Lewisburg. The most likely truth is that Derr's first name "Ludwig" translated into English as "Louis" but, being of German descent, it was spelled "Lewis". Later, after Derr's death, the traditional germanic "burg" was appended to his first name to create Lewisburg.
The street names that run East and West are a local urban mystery. St. George, St. Catherine, and St. Louis etc. appear to be named for Saints. However, since Derr was a Lutheran, and did not pay homage to Catholic saints, this is unlikely. Rather, the street names are more likely named for Derr's family members, as 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 Catherine and Ludwig/Lewis (sic) himself. The other original street names that still exist are St. John, St. Mary and St. Anthony, which are probably 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. Overall, however, 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.
The second mystery surrounding Lewisburg is the disappearance of its founder Ludwig Derr. After selling several lots of land, Derr set off for Philadelphia to sell additional lots. Shortly after arriving, records indicate some of his lots had sold. However, Ludwig Derr simply disappears from history in that city. Derr's son George went to Philadelphia to search for his father, but returned a short time later, unsuccessful.
Over the centuries, Lewisburg has been a center of commerce in Union County. The West Branch Susquehanna River
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 extension of the main branch, with the shorter West Branch...
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
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
.
Geography
Lewisburg is located at 40°57′50"N 76°53′17"W (40.963895, -76.888154).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 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 5,620 people, 1,778 households, and 787 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 5,724.7 people per square mile (2,214.2/km2). There were 1,938 housing units at an average density of 1,974.1 per square mile (763.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.57% White, 2.62% African American, 0.18% Native American, 2.79% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
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, 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
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 $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.
Government
There are four polling places in Lewisburg Borough. Ward 1 is found in the Senior Center, 116 N. 2nd St., Lewisburg. Ward 2 is located Union County Courthouse Lobby, 103 S. Second St., Lewisburg. Ward 3 is located in the Donald Heiter Community Center, 100 N. 5th St., Lewisburg. Ward 4 is located at St. John's United Church of Christ, 1050 Buffalo Rd., Lewisburg.The borough is located in the 85th House District and the 23rd Senate District of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. With regards to the U.S. House of Representatives, residents are in Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district
Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district
Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district is located primarily in the northeast corner of the state. The district was one of the 12 original districts created prior to the 4th Congress. It is currently represented by Republican Tom Marino, who defeated Democratic incumbent Chris Carney during the...
. Each state is represented by two at large senators in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
Schools
The Lewisburg Area School District places its emphasis on the academic success of each student. It is recognized regionally and statewide as a high performing district. This commitment to excellence is reflected in the high school students' strong PSSA and AP scores for the past several years. In 2009, Lewisburg Area High School was awarded a Silver Medal and recognized as one of America's Best High Schools by U.S. News & World ReportU.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
, placing it among the top 3% of high schools in the nation. The Lewisburg Area High School
Lewisburg Area High School
Lewisburg Area High School is a public school located in Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania. It is a part of the Lewisburg Area School District. The school's enrollment is approximately 600 students in grades nine through twelve. The school is commonly considered to be the top performing high...
has been ranked in the top ten percent in the state. In 2007, Pittsburgh Business Times ranked the district 39th out of 499 Pennsylvania school districts based on three years of Pennsylvania System of Student Assessment test scores. The district has been innovative in meeting the needs of their special education students which has led to substantially increasing costs.
They provide technical training through the regional SUN Area Career and Technical Center located in New Berlin, Pennsylvania.
Donald H Eichhorn Middle School serves 6th through eighth grades. The school was recognized as one of the finest in the nation when it received the National Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence from the United States Department of Education in 2002. The school was awarded as a National Schools To Watch in 2010.
Linntown Intermediate houses grades four and five with a student population of 270 and approximately 20 professional staff members.
Kelly Elementary serves kindergarten through third grades. The school has approximately 560 students. It offers a child centered learning program that builds a solid foundation of reading and math skills for all students. Class sizes are typically 20 or less to maximize learning experiences in the formative years. In 2008, the district changed to all day kindergarten in order to prepare its students to meet rigorous academic goals. A small school district, the enrollment in kindergarten in 2008 is 141 pupils.
Pennsylvania conducted a Costing Out Study to identify how much per pupil spending should be to achieve student success. The study called for the district to spend $11,538 per child. The district spends $9,242 per pupil ( a $2,297 deficit in spending per pupil according to the study), with outstanding results and a well rounded program. Lewisburg Area School District ranked 220th of all 501 districts in per pupil spending Lewisburg ranked 39th of all 501 districts in academic performance on the PSSA.
In 2007 the district levied a variety of taxes to support its programs. Taxes include a levy of 13.06 mills on real estate, a per capita tax of $15 on residents who are at least 18, and a tax of 1.5 percent on the earned income. In May 2007 the district's voters rejected raising the local earned income tax to reduce property taxes.
A Pre-Kindergarten program was added in the fall of 2008. It serves a small number of children ages 3 and 4. The program's cost for the first year was paid for with a $78,000 state grant.
Parks
Hufnagle Park is located on Market Street in the downtown area. It offers open space, a picnic pavilion, playground equipment and gardens. It is named in honor of former Police Chief Gordon Hufnagle. Chief Hufnagle died saving lives during the Agnes FloodHurricane Agnes
Hurricane Agnes was the first tropical storm and first hurricane of the 1972 Atlantic hurricane season. A rare June hurricane, it made landfall on the Florida Panhandle before moving northeastward and ravaging the Mid-Atlantic region as a tropical storm...
on June 21, 1972. The park is in his honor, as is a footbridge built in 1982.
External links
- Lewisburg travel guide from WikitravelWikitravel-External links:* *...
- Lewisburg Business & Professional Association
- A Walking Tour of Lewisburg and Bucknell University
- Bucknell University
- United States Penitentiary (USP) in Lewisburg