Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

:"For other meanings of 'Lycoming', please see Lycoming."Infobox U.S. County
county = Lycoming County
state = Pennsylvania


seallink =

---

map size = 225
founded = April 13, 1795
seat = Williamsport
largest city = Williamsport
area_total_sq_mi = 1244
area_total_km2 = 3221
area_land_sq_mi = 1235
area_land_km2 = 3198
area_water_sq_mi = 9
area_water_km2 = 23
area percentage = 0.72
census yr = 2000
pop = 120044
density_sq_mi = 97
density_km2 = 38
time zone = Eastern
UTC offset = -5
DST offset= -4
footnotes =
web = www.lyco.org|

Lycoming County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA. As of the 2000 census, the population was 120,044.cite web|url= http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=05000US42113&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US42%7C05000US42113&_street=&_county=Lycoming+County&_cityTown=Lycoming+County&_state=04000US42&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=050&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= |title = Facy Sheet: Lycoming County, Pennsylvania |publisher = U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate = 2008-02-17] It is included in the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.Its county seat is Williamsport.GR|6

History

Formation of the county

Lycoming 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. The following counties have been formed from land that was once part of Lycoming County: Armstrong, Bradford, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Forest, Elk and Cameron. Lycoming County was originally named Jefferson County in honor of Thomas Jefferson. This name proved to be unsatisfactory. The name change went through several steps. First a change to Lycoming County was rejected, next the name Susquehanna County was struck down as was Muncy County, before the legislature revisited and settled on Lycoming County for Lycoming Creek the stream that was the center of the pre-Revolutionary border dispute.

County "Firsts"

1615 - The first European in Lycoming County was Etienne Brule. He was a voyageur for New France. Brule descended the West Branch Susquehanna River and was held captive by a local Indian tribe near what is now Muncy before escaping and returning to Canada. cite web |url = http://www.historicwilliamsport.com/Features/Williamsport%20First.htm |title = Lycoming County, Williamsport Firsts |accessdate = 2007-05-16 |author = Lou Hunsinger Jr. |publisher = Williamsport Sun-Gazette ]

1761 - The first permanent homes were built in Muncy. Three log cabins were built by Bowyer Brooks, Robert Roberts and James Alexander.

1772 - The first gristmill is built on Muncy Creek by John Alward

1775 - The first public road is built along the West Branch Susquehanna River. The road followed Indian trails from Fort Augusta in what is now Sunbury to Bald Eagle Creek near modern day Lock Haven.

1786 - The first church built in the county was Lycoming Presbyterian church in what was known as Jaysburg and is now the Newberry section of Williamsport.

1792 - The first sawmill was built on Lycoming Creek by Roland Hall.

1795 - The first elections for Lycoming County government are held soon after the county was formed from Northumberland County. The elected officers were Samuel Stewart, county sheriff and the first county commissioners were John Hanna, Thomas Forster and James Crawford. Andrew Gregg was elected to represent Lycoming County in the United States Congress, William Hepburn was voted to the Pennsylvania State Senate and Flavel Roan, Hugh White and Robert Martin served as representatives in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

1823 - The county government funded the construction of the first bridges over Loyalsock and Lycoming Creeks.

1839 - The first railroad is built. It connected Williamsport with Ralston in northern Lycoming County. The railroad followed Lycoming Creek.

Geography

As the crow flies, Lycoming County is about convert|130|mi|km|0 northwest of Philadelphia and convert|165|mi|km|0 east-northeast of Pittsburgh. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,244 square miles (3,221 km²).1,235 square miles (3,198 km²) of it is land and 9 square miles (23 km²) of it (0.72%) is water. Lycoming County is the largest county in terms of area in Pennsylvania, and is larger then the state of Rhode Island.GR|1.

Adjacent counties

*Tioga County (north)
*Bradford County (northeast)
*Sullivan County (east)
*Columbia County (southeast)
*Montour County (south)
*Northumberland County (south)
*Union County (south)
*Clinton County (west)
*Potter County (northwest)

Appalachian Mountains and Allegheny Plateau

Lycoming County is divided between the Appalachian Mountains in the south, the dissected Allegheny Plateau (which also appears mountainous) 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 Susquehanna enters Lycoming County from Clinton County just west of the borough of Jersey Shore, which is on the northwest bank of the river. The river then flows generally east and a little north with some large curves for 15 miles (24 kilometers) to the city of Williamsport, followed by the borough of Montoursville (both on the north bank) as well as the boroughs of Duboistown and South Williamsport (on the south bank).

The river flows just north of Bald Eagle Mountain (one of the northernmost ridges of the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians) through much of its course in Lycoming County, but it passes the end of the mountain and turns south just before the borough of Muncy (on the east bank). It continues south past the borough of Montgomery and leaves Lycoming County, where it forms the border between Union and Northumberland Counties. From there the West Branch merges with the North Branch Susquehanna River at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, and then flows south to the Chesapeake Bay.

Major Creeks and Watersheds

The major creeks of Lycoming County are all tributaries of the West Branch Susquehanna River. On the north or left bank of the river they are (from west to east): Pine Creek (and its tributary Little Pine Creek) which the river receives just west of Jersey Shore; Larrys Creek, which the river receives about 7 km (4 mi) south of Salladasburg; Lycoming Creek which the river receives in western Williamsport; Loyalsock Creek which the river receives between Williamsport and Montoursville; and Muncy Creek (and its tributary Little Muncy Creek), which the river receives just north of Muncy. Loyalsock and Muncy Creeks are also the major watersheds of Sullivan County.

Finally there is White Deer Hole Creek, the only major creek in Lycoming County on the right bank (i.e. south and west) of the river. It is south of Bald Eagle Mountain, and flows from west to east. The river receives it at the village of Allenwood in Gregg Township in Union County. Other creeks found on the right bank (south and west) of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Lycoming County are relatively minor, including Antes Creek in the Nippenose valley (in Limestone and Nippenose Townships), Mosquito Creek (at Duboistown), Hagermans Run (at South Williamsport), and Black Hole Creek (at Montgomery).

The entire county is in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The percent of the county drained by each creek's watershed is as follows: Pine Creek, 15.27%; Little Pine Creek, 11.25% (if these two are considered together, 26.52%); Larry's Creek, 7.17%; Lycoming Creek, 17.80%; Loyalsock Creek, 13.23%; Muncy Creek, 4.82%; Little Muncy Creek, 5.86% (if these two are considered together, 10.68%); and White Deer Hole Creek, 4.40%. [http://www.chesapeakebay.net/wspv31/(3fwefm55tzka3q45qloiyxbu)/find.aspx?term=Lycoming%20County&topic=5] Minor creeks account for the rest.

Demographics

USCensusPop
title= Lycoming County, Pennsylvania US Census Data
1800= 5414
1810= 11006
1820= 13517
1830= 17636
1840= 22649
1850= 26257
1860= 37399
1870= 47626
1880= 57486
1890= 70579
1900= 75663
1910= 80813
1920= 83100
1930= 93421
1940= 93633
1950= 101249
1960= 109367
1970= 113296
1980= 118416
1990= 118710
2000= 120044
estimate= 117668
estyear= 2006
estref= [cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42081.html|title=Lycoming County Quickfacts|author=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-17]
footnote= Lycoming County Census Data [ cite web| url =http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/php/newlong3.php |title = Historical Census Browser | date = 2004 |publisher = University of Virginia, Geospatial and Statistical Data Center |accessdate = 2008-02-17(1800-1960 population data) ] [cite web|url= http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/pa190090.txt |title= "Pennsylvania, Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990" | author= | author = Richard L. Forstall | date= March 27 1995 | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau | accessdate = 2008-02-17(1970-1990 population data) ]

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 120,044 people, 47,003 households, and 31,680 families residing in the county. The population density was 97 people per square mile (38/km²). There were 52,464 housing units at an average density of 42 per square mile (16/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.91% White, 4.32% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.5% were of German, 11.7% American, 9.0% Irish, 7.4% Italian and 7.3% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 47,003 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.30% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

Municipalities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Lycoming County:

City

*Williamsport

Boroughs

*Duboistown
*Hughesville
*Jersey Shore
*Montgomery
*Montoursville
*Muncy
*Picture Rocks
*Salladasburg
*South Williamsport

Townships

(with unincorporated villages noted)
*Anthony Township
*Armstrong Township
*Bastress Township
*Brady Township
*Brown Township (includes the villages of Cedar Run and Slate Run)
*Cascade Township (includes the village of Kellyburg)
*Clinton Township
*Cogan House Township (includes the villages of Beech Grove, Brookside, Cogan House, and White Pine)
*Cummings Township (includes the village of Waterville)
*Eldred Township (includes the village of Warrensville)
*Fairfield Township
*Franklin Township (includes the village of Lairdsville)
*Gamble Township (includes the village of Calvert)
*Hepburn Township (includes the villages of Cogan Station (partially, also in Lycoming Township) and Hepburnville)
*Jackson Township (includes the village of Buttonwood)
*Jordan Township (includes the villages of Lungerville and Unityville)
*Lewis Township (includes the villages of Bodines, Field Station, and Trout Run)
*Limestone Township (includes the villages of Collomsville, Oriole, and Oval)
*Loyalsock Township
*Lycoming Township (includes the villages of Cogan Station (partially, also in Hepburn Township) and Quiggleville)
*McHenry Township (includes the villages of Cammal, Haneyville, Jersey Mills, and Okome)
*McIntyre Township (includes the villages of Marsh Hill and Ralston)
*McNett Township (includes the villages of Chemung, Ellenton, Leolyn, Penbryn, and Roaring Branch)
*Mifflin Township
*Mill Creek Township (includes part of the village of Huntersville (also in Wolf Township))
*Moreland Township (includes the village of Opp)
*Muncy Creek Township (includes the village of Clarkstown)
*Muncy Township (includes the village of Pennsdale)
*Nippenose Township (includes the village of Antes Fort)
*Old Lycoming Township (includes the census-designated place of Garden View)
*Penn Township (includes part of the village of Glen Mawr (also in Shrewsbury Township))
*Piatt Township (includes the village of Larryville)
*Pine Township (includes the villages of English Center and Oregon Hill)
*Plunketts Creek Township (includes the villages of Barbours and Proctor)
*Porter Township
*Shrewsbury Township (includes the villages of Glen Mawr (partially, also in Penn Township) and Tivoli)
*Susquehanna Township (includes the village of Nisbet)
*Upper Fairfield Township (includes the villages of Farragut and Loyalsockville)
*Washington Township (includes the village of Elimsport)
*Watson Township (includes the village of Tombs Run)
*Wolf Township (includes part of the village of Huntersville (also in Mill Creek Township))
*Woodward Township (includes the village of Linden)

Census-designated place

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.
*Garden View (a census-designated place in Old Lycoming Township)

Other unincorporated communities

*Waterville, in Cummings Township
*Cedar Run

Education

Colleges

*Lycoming College
*Newport Business Institute
*Pennsylvania College of Technology

Public School Districts

* [http://www.canton.k12.pa.us Canton Area School District] (also in Bradford and Tioga Counties) Canton Warriors
* [http://www.eastlycoming.net East Lycoming School District] Hughesville Spartans
* [http://www.jsasd.k12.pa.us Jersey Shore Area School District] (also in Clinton County) Jersey Shore Bulldogs
* [http://www.ltsd.k12.pa.us/ltsd Loyalsock Township School District] Loyalsock Lancers
* [http://montasd.schoolwires.com Montgomery Area School District] Montgomery Red Raiders
* [http://www.montoursville.k12.pa.us Montoursville Area School District] Montoursville Warriors
* [http://www.muncysd.k12.pa.us Muncy School District] Muncy Indians
* [http://www.mounties.k12.pa.us South Williamsport Area School District] South Williamsport Mountaineers
* [http://www.southerntioga.org Southern Tioga School District] (also in Tioga County) Liberty Mountaineers, Mansfield Tigers, and North Penn Panthers
* [http://www.wellsborosd.k12.pa.us Wellsboro Area School District] (also in Tioga County) Wellsboro Hornets
* [http://www.wasd.org Williamsport Area School District] Williamsport Millionaires

Libraries

There are six public libraries in Lycoming County:
* [http://www.jvbrown.edu/ James V. Brown Library (Williamsport)]
* [http://www.hughesvillelibrary.org Hughesville Area Public Library]
* [http://www.jerseyshorepubliclibrary.org Jersey Shore Public Library]
* [http://www.konklelibrary.org Dr. W.B. Konkle Memorial Library (Montoursville)]
* [http://www.montgomerylib.org Montgomery Area Public Library]
* [http://www.muncylibrary.com Muncy Public Library]

There are also four [http://www.jvbrown.edu/links/ Link libraries] in the county.

Recreation

There are three Pennsylvania state parks in Lycoming County:
*Little Pine State Park
*Susquehanna State Park
*Upper Pine Bottom State Park

There are parts of two Pennsylvania state forests in Lycoming County:
*Tiadaghton State Forest in the southern and western parts of the county,
*Loyalsock State Forest in the eastern part of the county.

ee also

*List of counties in Pennsylvania

References

* [http://www.lyco.org/DotNetNuke/Portals/1/Documents/county_map1.pdf Official Lycoming County Map showing all townships, villages, boroughs, cities, county roads, rivers, creeks, and some streams]