Jackson Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Jackson Township is a township located in northern Lycoming County
, Pennsylvania
in the United States. The population was 414 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport
, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The unincorporated
village
of Buttonwood is in the township. In Buttonwood there is a covered bridge
over Blockhouse Creek, a tributary of Little Pine Creek
.
to the northern border of Lycoming County. The residents of the northern part of the township became dissatisfied with their representation in township matters. Most of the officers of the townships were from the southern most portions near the river and they tended to forget about their neighbors to the north. The concerned citizens of the northern portions of Lycoming Township petitioned that a township for their interests be formed from Lycoming Township. The Pennsylvania General Assembly
agreed and Jackson Township was formed in September 1824. The township was named for Andrew Jackson
who was then known as the hero of the Battle of New Orleans
in the War of 1812
. He was not to become President
until 1829.
Peter Sechrist was one of the first settlers to arrive in Jackson Township. He moved there from Liverpool
, Pennsylvania
in 1811. Sechrist cleared the land for a farm and also constructed a saw
and gristmill
. His mills were the first of their kind in the area and his child, Daniel, was the first white child
born in the area. Other earlier settlers, seeking their fortune, arrived from York County
. Two sets of brothers, Jacob and Daniel Beck and George and Daniel Miller first stopped in Williamsport
before moving further to the north. They cleared some dense wilderness and established their homesteads in what is now eastern Jackson Township.
The population of Jackson Township was 619 according to the 1890 census. It has since declined to 414 residents as of the 2000 census. The area is largely mountainous and is covered with a thriving second growth forest
.
The Buttonwood Covered Bridge
was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1980.
to the north, McIntyre Township to the east, Cogan House Township to the south, and Pine Township
to the west. As the crow flies
, Lycoming County is about 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Philadelphia and 165 miles (266 km) east-northeast of Pittsburgh.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the township has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92.2 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 414 people, 148 households, and 121 families residing in the township. The population density
was 11.6 people per square mile (4.5/km²). There were 192 housing units at an average density of 5.4/sq mi (2.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 99.76% White and 0.24% Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.
There were 148 households out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.9% were married couples
living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 14.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the township the population was spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $40,568, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $28,958 versus $19,063 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $16,903. About 6.7% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
-Appalachian Mountains and Allegheny Plateau:Lycoming County is divided between the Appalachian Mountains in the south, the dissected Allegheny Plateau in the north and east, and the valley of the West Branch Susquehanna River between these.-West Branch Susquehanna River:The West Branch of the...
, 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...
in the United States. The population was 414 at the 2000 census. It is part of the 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...
, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
of Buttonwood is in the township. In Buttonwood there is a covered bridge
Buttonwood Covered Bridge
The Buttonwood Covered Bridge is a covered bridge built in either 1878 or 1898 over Blockhouse Creek in Jackson Township, Lycoming County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It uses a queen post with king post truss and is long. The bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in...
over Blockhouse Creek, a tributary of Little Pine Creek
Little Pine Creek
Little Pine Creek is a tributary of Pine Creek in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States.Little Pine Creek is formed by the confluence of Blockhouse Creek and Texas Creek, approximately upstream of Pine Creek. Blacks Creek joins Blockhouse Creek approximately above. of Little Pine...
.
History
Jackson Township was once part of Lycoming Township. At the time Lycoming Township stretched from the West Branch Susquehanna RiverWest 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...
to the northern border of Lycoming County. The residents of the northern part of the township became dissatisfied with their representation in township matters. Most of the officers of the townships were from the southern most portions near the river and they tended to forget about their neighbors to the north. The concerned citizens of the northern portions of Lycoming Township petitioned that a township for their interests be formed from Lycoming Township. The Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
agreed and Jackson Township was formed in September 1824. The township was named for Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
who was then known as the hero of the Battle of New Orleans
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 and was the final major battle of the War of 1812. American forces, commanded by Major General Andrew Jackson, defeated an invading British Army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the United States had acquired with the...
in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. He was not to become President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
until 1829.
Peter Sechrist was one of the first settlers to arrive in Jackson Township. He moved there from Liverpool
Liverpool, Pennsylvania
Liverpool is a borough in Perry County, Pennsylvania, United States, about from Harrisburg. It is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, 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...
in 1811. Sechrist cleared the land for a farm and also constructed a saw
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
and gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
. His mills were the first of their kind in the area and his child, Daniel, was the first white child
First white child
The birth of the first white child was a celebrated occasion across many parts of the New World. Such births are a matter of pride for many townships, and they are commemorated with plaques and monuments at the location of the event. The birth was seen as such an honor that it was at times...
born in the area. Other earlier settlers, seeking their fortune, arrived from York County
York County, Pennsylvania
York County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 434,972. It is in the Susquehanna Valley, a large fertile agricultural region in South Central Pennsylvania....
. Two sets of brothers, Jacob and Daniel Beck and George and Daniel Miller first stopped in 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...
before moving further to the north. They cleared some dense wilderness and established their homesteads in what is now eastern Jackson Township.
The population of Jackson Township was 619 according to the 1890 census. It has since declined to 414 residents as of the 2000 census. The area is largely mountainous and is covered with a thriving second growth forest
Secondary forest
A secondary forest is a forest or woodland area which has re-grown after a major disturbance such as fire, insect infestation, timber harvest or windthrow, until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident...
.
The Buttonwood Covered Bridge
Buttonwood Covered Bridge
The Buttonwood Covered Bridge is a covered bridge built in either 1878 or 1898 over Blockhouse Creek in Jackson Township, Lycoming County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It uses a queen post with king post truss and is long. The bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in...
was added to 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...
in 1980.
Geography
Jackson Township is bordered by Tioga CountyTioga County, Pennsylvania
Tioga County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 41,981. Tioga County was created on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for the Tioga River. Its county seat is Wellsboro....
to the north, McIntyre Township to the east, Cogan House Township to the south, and Pine Township
Pine Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Pine Township is a township in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 329 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
to the west. As the crow flies
As the crow flies
"As the crow flies" or beelining is an idiom for the shortest route between two points; the geodesic distance.An example is the great-circle distance between Key West and Pensacola, at either end of the U.S...
, Lycoming County is about 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Philadelphia and 165 miles (266 km) east-northeast of Pittsburgh.
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 township has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92.2 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 414 people, 148 households, and 121 families residing in the township. 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 11.6 people per square mile (4.5/km²). There were 192 housing units at an average density of 5.4/sq mi (2.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 99.76% White and 0.24% Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.
There were 148 households out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.9% 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, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 14.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the township the population was spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $40,568, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $28,958 versus $19,063 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 township was $16,903. About 6.7% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
See also
For histories of the other townships in Lycoming County see- History of the Townships of Lycoming County, PennsylvaniaHistory of the Townships of Lycoming County, PennsylvaniaLycoming County was formed from Northumberland County on April 13, 1795. At the time it was formed the county was much larger than it is today. It took up most of the land that is now north central Pennsylvania....