Shipoke(Harrisburg)
Encyclopedia
Shipoke is a neighborhood in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
. Shipoke is delineated by Interstate 83 to the south, Paxton Street to the north, Race Street to the east, and the Susquehanna River
to the west. Compared to Harrisburg's other neighborhoods, Shipoke is small.
Shipoke is in many ways the oldest section of the city, settled by Europeans in 1710 as a small trading post. It was here that the Harris Ferry and Tavern
was originally located, which is the origin of the name Harrisburg. All of the neighborhood lies within the flood plain of the Susquehanna River
. Most major storms lead to dangerous flooding in this area. After falling into disrepair, Shipoke was devastated by the flooding associated with Hurricane Agnes
in 1972. Many of the Victorian
houses were abandoned following the flooding, and they were sold to developers for nominal costs. More recently, the remnants of Hurricane Ivan
in 2004 led to severe flooding and damage in this area. After years of rehabilitation, Shipoke now is a picturesque, affluent neighborhood known for its beautiful river views. A number of festivals are held annually in Riverfront Park
along the river near Shipoke.
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...
. Shipoke is delineated by Interstate 83 to the south, Paxton Street to the north, Race Street to the east, and the Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
to the west. Compared to Harrisburg's other neighborhoods, Shipoke is small.
Shipoke is in many ways the oldest section of the city, settled by Europeans in 1710 as a small trading post. It was here that the Harris Ferry and Tavern
John Harris, Sr.
John Harris, Sr. emigrated from Britain to America late in the 17th century. Harris would later settle and establish Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, which bears his name today.-Biography:...
was originally located, which is the origin of the name Harrisburg. All of the neighborhood lies within the flood plain of the Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
. Most major storms lead to dangerous flooding in this area. After falling into disrepair, Shipoke was devastated by the flooding associated with Hurricane Agnes
Hurricane 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...
in 1972. Many of the Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
houses were abandoned following the flooding, and they were sold to developers for nominal costs. More recently, the remnants of Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...
in 2004 led to severe flooding and damage in this area. After years of rehabilitation, Shipoke now is a picturesque, affluent neighborhood known for its beautiful river views. A number of festivals are held annually in Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park (Harrisburg)
Riverfront Park is a public park in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.The park runs parallel to the Susquehanna River between the shoreline and Front Street from Vaughn Street South to Paxton Street. Riverfront Park offers picturesque views of the river, City Island, Wormleysburg and Blue Mountain in the...
along the river near Shipoke.
See also
- List of Harrisburg neighborhoods
- Dock Street DamDock Street DamThe Dock Street Dam is a low-head dam that crosses the Susquehanna River between the Shipoke neighborhood of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the east shore and Lemoyne on the west shore. It gives the Susquehanna recreational depth south of the Taylor Bridge. Turbulence downstream of the dam contrasts...