Steelton, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Steelton is a borough in Dauphin County
, Pennsylvania
, three miles (5 km) southeast of Harrisburg
. In 1900, 12,086 people lived here; in 1910, 14,246 people lived here; in 1920, 13,248 people lived here; and in 1940, 13,115 people lived here. The population was 5,858 at the 2000 census. The borough is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
on January 19, 1880. The extensive works of the Pennsylvania Steel Company, later operated by Bethlehem Steel
, are located along the Susquehanna River
in Steelton. Also present at one time were brickyard
s, a flouring mill, and machine shops.
Steelton is the birthplace of Homer Litzenberg
, the Korean War
hero who commanded the 7th Marine Regiment during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir
.
The Steelton High School
was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 2011.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land. Steelton is bordered by the Susquehanna River
.
The borough is crossed by Pennsylvania Route 230
.
of 2000, there were 5,858 people, 2,312 households, and 1,518 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 3,215.6 people per square mile (1,242.7/km²). There were 2,533 housing units at an average density of 1,390.4 per square mile (537.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 62.03% White, 31.12% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.41% from other races
, and 3.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.48% of the population. 15.0% were of German
, 7.7% American
, 6.0% Irish
, 5.7% Italian and 5.4% Croatian ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 2,312 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples
living together, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $34,829, and the median income for a family was $39,556. Males had a median income of $30,488 versus $24,701 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $16,612. About 9.1% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Dauphin County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of the three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 census, the population was 268,100. The county includes the city of Harrisburg, which has served as the state capital...
, 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...
, three miles (5 km) southeast 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 1900, 12,086 people lived here; in 1910, 14,246 people lived here; in 1920, 13,248 people lived here; and in 1940, 13,115 people lived here. The population was 5,858 at the 2000 census. The borough is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name is traditionally pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2010 census, the borough...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Harrisburg metropolitan area
The Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area , as defined the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Pennsylvania's Susquehanna Valley, anchored by the cities of Harrisburg and Carlisle...
.
History
Steelton was incorporated as a boroughBorough
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....
on January 19, 1880. The extensive works of the Pennsylvania Steel Company, later operated by Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation , based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States, after Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel. After a decline in the U.S...
, are located along 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...
in Steelton. Also present at one time were brickyard
Brickyard
A brickyard is a place or yard where the earthen building material called bricks are made, fired, and stored, or sometimes sold or otherwise distributed from.-See also:...
s, a flouring mill, and machine shops.
Steelton is the birthplace of Homer Litzenberg
Homer Litzenberg
Homer Laurence Litzenberg was a decorated Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Haiti, World War II, and the Korean War. His final rank was awarded at his retirement for valor in battle. He retired from the post of Inspector General of the Marine Corps on May 31, 1959,...
, the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
hero who commanded the 7th Marine Regiment during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Battle of Chosin Reservoir
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as the Chosin Reservoir Campaign or the Changjin Lake Campaign ,Official Chinese sources refer to this battle as the Second Phase Campaign Eastern Sector . The Western Sector is the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River. was a decisive battle in the Korean War...
.
The Steelton High School
Steelton High School
Steelton High School, also known as Felton School, is a historic high school building located at Steelton, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It was built in various stages between 1882 and 1990.It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011....
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 2011.
Geography
Steelton is located at 40°13′52"N 76°49′56"W (40.231040, -76.832087).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 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land. Steelton is bordered by 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...
.
The borough is crossed by Pennsylvania Route 230
Pennsylvania Route 230
Pennsylvania Route 230 is a state route in central Pennsylvania. Its western terminus is at an intersection with U.S. Route 22 in Harrisburg. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with Pennsylvania Route 283 near Salunga.-Route description:...
.
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 5,858 people, 2,312 households, and 1,518 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 3,215.6 people per square mile (1,242.7/km²). There were 2,533 housing units at an average density of 1,390.4 per square mile (537.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 62.03% White, 31.12% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.41% 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 3.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.48% of the population. 15.0% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 7.7% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 6.0% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 5.7% Italian and 5.4% Croatian ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 2,312 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% 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, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $34,829, and the median income for a family was $39,556. Males had a median income of $30,488 versus $24,701 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 $16,612. About 9.1% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Marne IntrieriMarne IntrieriMarino Charles Intrieri was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Staten Island Stapletons and the Boston Redskins. Born in Steelton, Pennsylvania, he attended Loyola College in Maryland....
, football offensive lineman - Homer LitzenbergHomer LitzenbergHomer Laurence Litzenberg was a decorated Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Haiti, World War II, and the Korean War. His final rank was awarded at his retirement for valor in battle. He retired from the post of Inspector General of the Marine Corps on May 31, 1959,...
, lieutenant general - Walter M. MummaWalter M. MummaWalter Mann Mumma was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Mumma was born in Steelton. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State Forestry Academy in Mont Alto in 1911...
, congressman - Allen SangreeAllen Sangree- Life :Father: Milton H. Sangree, Mother: Jane E. Hudson. Born around 1878, most likely in the Harrisburg or Steelton Pennsylvania areaAttended Gettysburg College Member of the Sigma Chi Theta fraternity...
, sports writer and war journalist - Frank SinkovitzFrank SinkovitzFrank Bernard Sinkovitz was an American football center and linebacker who played six seasons in the National Football League. He then worked as an umpire for 26 seasons, wearing uniform number 20, which was later worn by Larry Nemmers. He officiated Super Bowl XV. He was born in Steelton,...
, football center - John YovicsinJohn YovicsinJohn Michael Yovicsin was an American football player and coach. He played college football at Gettysburg College from 1937 to 1939 and then professionally with Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL in 1944...
, football player and coach - Troy DraytonTroy DraytonTroy Anthony Drayton is a former professional American football tight end from 1993 to 2001. He played in 9 seasons in the National Football League, mainly for the St. Louis Rams and the Miami Dolphins. He was All-America at Pennsylvania State University where he played from 1989 to 1992...
Former NFL and Penn State football player