Alexandria, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Alexandria is a borough in Huntingdon County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population was 401 at the 2000 census.
, the borough has a total area of 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 401 people, 149 households, and 106 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 3,503.4 people per square mile (1,407.5/km²). There were 160 housing units at an average density of 1,397.9 per square mile (561.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.76% White, 1.50% Asian, 1.00% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races
. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.00% of the population.
There were 149 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples
living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $40,662, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $30,750 versus $23,500 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $15,423. About 4.6% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
, near where Alexandria is located now. During the land purchase of 1755 James Sterrat of Carlisle purchased 400 acres including the sleeping place called John Hart’s log on the Juniata River
, which is now Alexandria.
Some time in the years before 1785 the first mention of a religious group called Hartslog Presbyterian Congregation was formed. A log worship house, Old Hartslog Church
, stood upon the hill one mile (1.6 km) north of the present site of the town of Alexandria, where a burial ground was later made. This was a primitive structure but by 1787 a floor was laid, six large windows set in, a large door constructed, and a pulpit and a communion table made. In 1794 it was laid off into four sections, and fitted with pews. In 1826, the old Hartslog congregation moved to a brick building, referred to by Senator John Scott in his memoirs as the "Brick Church", which seems to have been located near to the site of the present Reformed Church. The old log worship house was taken down the same year, and some of its logs were used in one or two of the dwellings of Alexandria.
In the late 18th century the primary transportation to and from Alexandria was the Juniata River
, suitable only during summer and when the water depth permitted. On May 3, 1808 the new road from Harrisburg to Alexandria opened, permitting a more reliable connection with the outside world. In 1833 the Juniata Division of the Pennsylvania Canal
was opened, the promise of better transportation started a mini housing boom in Alexandria. By 1875 the canal was abandoned and the Pennsylvania Railroad
managed the transportation needs of the area. Around this time the growth of the area slowed, the while the populations of Huntingdon
and Hollidaysburg grew.
Early settlers used this log as a landmark to describe the location of their claims and referred to this area as Hartslog Settlement. In 1793 this area was laid out into town lots and named Alexandria, with the street near the site of the log name Hartslog Street.
Today the name remains for Hartslog Street as well as the region — "Hartslog Valley." There's also the Hartslog Grange, and of course, the festival, Hartslog Day. It's not your ordinary old fashioned heritage folk festival. It's much more than that, featuring music, crafts, games and lots of food, but you have to attend Hartslog Day to understand what makes this festival different from the rest.
The Hartslog Museum located on the second floor of the library in Alexandria is only open one weekend a month but it's always open for Hartslog Day.
You'll find the history of Huntingdon County and John Hart. If you're a history buff you'll find the Hartslog Museum a place of rare history. In particular, you'll find the history behind the Canal Basin, Indian tribes, Indian traders and John Scott
. John was born and raised in Alexandria. He was the only man born in Alexandria and elected to the U.S. Senate.
While visiting the museum you'll see many artifacts and antiques from this area and the era when Pennsylvania was still inhabited by Indian tribes. You'll also find many rare books and pictures.
Hartslog Day helps to support this fascinating museum.
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania
Huntingdon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,913.Huntingdon County was created on September 20, 1787, from part of Bedford County. Its county seat is Huntingdon.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 401 at the 2000 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 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 401 people, 149 households, and 106 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 3,503.4 people per square mile (1,407.5/km²). There were 160 housing units at an average density of 1,397.9 per square mile (561.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.76% White, 1.50% Asian, 1.00% Pacific Islander, 0.75% 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...
. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.00% of the population.
There were 149 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% 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, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $40,662, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $30,750 versus $23,500 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 $15,423. About 4.6% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
History
The year 1744 is the first record of John Hart’s “logg”Hartslog
The year 1744 is the first record of John Harts’s “logg”, near where Alexandria, Pennsylvania is located now. During the land purchase of 1755 James Sterrat of Carlisle purchased 400 acres including the sleeping place called John Hart’s log on the Juniata River, which is now Alexandria....
, near where Alexandria is located now. During the land purchase of 1755 James Sterrat of Carlisle purchased 400 acres including the sleeping place called John Hart’s log on the Juniata River
Juniata River
The Juniata River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River, approximately long, in central Pennsylvania in the United States. The river is considered scenic along much of its route, having a broad and shallow course passing through several mountain ridges and steeply-lined water gaps...
, which is now Alexandria.
Some time in the years before 1785 the first mention of a religious group called Hartslog Presbyterian Congregation was formed. A log worship house, Old Hartslog Church
Old Hartslog Church
Some time in the years before 1785 the first mention of a religious group called Hartslog Presbyterian Congregation was formed. A log worship house stood upon the hill one mile north of the present site of the town of Alexandria, Pennsylvania, where a burial ground was later made...
, stood upon the hill one mile (1.6 km) north of the present site of the town of Alexandria, where a burial ground was later made. This was a primitive structure but by 1787 a floor was laid, six large windows set in, a large door constructed, and a pulpit and a communion table made. In 1794 it was laid off into four sections, and fitted with pews. In 1826, the old Hartslog congregation moved to a brick building, referred to by Senator John Scott in his memoirs as the "Brick Church", which seems to have been located near to the site of the present Reformed Church. The old log worship house was taken down the same year, and some of its logs were used in one or two of the dwellings of Alexandria.
In the late 18th century the primary transportation to and from Alexandria was the Juniata River
Juniata River
The Juniata River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River, approximately long, in central Pennsylvania in the United States. The river is considered scenic along much of its route, having a broad and shallow course passing through several mountain ridges and steeply-lined water gaps...
, suitable only during summer and when the water depth permitted. On May 3, 1808 the new road from Harrisburg to Alexandria opened, permitting a more reliable connection with the outside world. In 1833 the Juniata Division of the Pennsylvania Canal
Pennsylvania Canal
Pennsylvania Canal refers generally to a complex system of canals, dams, locks, tow paths, aqueducts, and other infrastructure including, in some cases, railroads in Pennsylvania...
was opened, the promise of better transportation started a mini housing boom in Alexandria. By 1875 the canal was abandoned 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....
managed the transportation needs of the area. Around this time the growth of the area slowed, the while the populations of Huntingdon
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Huntingdon is a borough in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Huntingdon County. It is located along the Juniata River, west of Harrisburg, about halfway between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, in an agricultural and fruit-growing region, with valuable forests and deposits of...
and Hollidaysburg grew.
Hartslog Heritage Day Festival
Alexandria hosts the annual "Hartslog Heritage Day" celebration each year on the second Saturday of October. The day-long event recognizes the early days of the small borough, when, in 1744, a licensed Indian trader named John Hart used a large hollowed-out log to feed and salt his horses while he conducted his trading.Early settlers used this log as a landmark to describe the location of their claims and referred to this area as Hartslog Settlement. In 1793 this area was laid out into town lots and named Alexandria, with the street near the site of the log name Hartslog Street.
Today the name remains for Hartslog Street as well as the region — "Hartslog Valley." There's also the Hartslog Grange, and of course, the festival, Hartslog Day. It's not your ordinary old fashioned heritage folk festival. It's much more than that, featuring music, crafts, games and lots of food, but you have to attend Hartslog Day to understand what makes this festival different from the rest.
The Hartslog Museum located on the second floor of the library in Alexandria is only open one weekend a month but it's always open for Hartslog Day.
You'll find the history of Huntingdon County and John Hart. If you're a history buff you'll find the Hartslog Museum a place of rare history. In particular, you'll find the history behind the Canal Basin, Indian tribes, Indian traders and John Scott
John Scott (Pennsylvania)
John Scott was an American lawyer and Republican party politician. He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate....
. John was born and raised in Alexandria. He was the only man born in Alexandria and elected to the U.S. Senate.
While visiting the museum you'll see many artifacts and antiques from this area and the era when Pennsylvania was still inhabited by Indian tribes. You'll also find many rare books and pictures.
Hartslog Day helps to support this fascinating museum.
Notable people
- Rev. George MacPherson DochertyGeorge MacPherson DochertyGeorge MacPherson Docherty was a Scottish-born American Presbyterian minister and principal initiator of the addition of the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States.-Early life:...
(May 9, 1911 to November 27, 2008) - pastor who helped to get the phrase "Under God" added to the Pledge of AllegiancePledge of AllegianceThe Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of loyalty to the federal flag and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Christian Socialist Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942...
. - Agnes Irvine Scott - Agnes Scott College is named for her.
- John ScottJohn Scott (representative)John Scott was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.John Scott was born at Marsh Creek, Pennsylvania, near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania...
, Sr (December 25, 1784 – September 22, 1850) - Member of the U.S. House of Representatives - John ScottJohn Scott (Pennsylvania)John Scott was an American lawyer and Republican party politician. He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate....
, Jr (July 24, 1824 – November 29, 1896) - Member of the United States SenateUnited States SenateThe 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...