Back Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Back Mountain
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      From top, left to right: Cornell Road in Lehman Township, boats on Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania Route 415 in Dallas, scenery of the Dallas area, a church in the Dallas area, scenery of the Back Mountain Region
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 Back Mountain
Location in Pennsylvania
Back Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Luzerne |
| Area | |
| • Total | 117.59 sq mi (304.6 km2) |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 33,551 |
| • Density | 285.322/sq mi (110.163/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 570 |
The Back Mountain is a beautiful region in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located near the cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. In 2016, about 33,551 people lived here. The region covers an area of about 117.59 square miles (304.34 km2).
The name "Back Mountain" comes from its location. It sits behind the mountain ridge that forms the northwest side of the Wyoming Valley. The Back Mountain includes several smaller areas. These are the townships of Dallas, Franklin, Jackson, Kingston, Lake, and Lehman. It also includes the towns (called boroughs) of Dallas and Harveys Lake. Each of these areas has its own local government.
Contents
History of the Back Mountain
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The different townships in the Back Mountain were created in the 1800s. The area known as Dallas was first settled in 1797. It became an official town (borough) on April 21, 1879. Dallas Township, formed in 1817, was named after Alexander J. Dallas. He was an important government official in the United States. The Borough of Dallas is often called the “Pride” of the Back Mountain.
The second town in the Back Mountain is Harveys Lake. This town is named after Harveys Lake, a large lake discovered by Benjamin Harvey in 1781. Benjamin Harvey was part of the Sons of Liberty. This group worked against British rule and helped start the American Revolution. The first settlers near the lake arrived in the early 1790s.
In the past, the Back Mountain was a popular place for fun and vacations. Many tourists came from all over the Northeast. Harveys Lake became a very famous resort in the early 1900s. People built Hotels, boathouses, a casino, and even an amusement park around the lake. A famous hotel, the Grand Hotel Oneonta, was very popular. Even former United States President Theodore Roosevelt visited it in 1912. Harveys Lake became its own town in 1968.
Frances Slocum State Park is the only state park in the Back Mountain. In 1968, a lake was built in the park. This lake helps control flooding in the North Branch Susquehanna River. In 1972, the park helped many families. About 280 families lived there temporarily after being forced from their homes by the Agnes floods. The park reopened to the public in 1974 after the families found new homes.
Population and Geography
As of 2016, 33,551 people lived in the Back Mountain region. It includes six townships and two boroughs. The Back Mountain is located at 41°19′13″N 75°58′22″W / 41.32028°N 75.97278°W. The total area of the region is about 117.59 square miles (304.34 km2).
The Back Mountain is home to beautiful natural spots. These include Frances Slocum State Park, Lake Louise, and the famous Harveys Lake.
| Name of community | Population as of 2016 | Total area |
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| Dallas Borough | 2,768 | 2.42 sq mi (6.25 km2) |
| Dallas Township | 9,216 | 18.7 sq mi (48.5 km2) |
| Franklin Township | 1,745 | 13.1 sq mi (33.8 km2) |
| Harveys Lake Borough | 2,773 | 6.17 sq mi (15.99 km2) |
| Jackson Township | 4,633 | 13.4 sq mi (34.6 km2) |
| Kingston Township | 6,935 | 13.9 sq mi (36.0 km2) |
| Lake Township | 2,025 | 26.7 sq mi (69.1 km2) |
| Lehman Township | 3,456 | 23.2 sq mi (60.1 km2) |
| Total | 33,551 | 117.59 sq mi (304.34 km2) |
Education in the Back Mountain
The Back Mountain area has good schools and colleges.
Public School Districts
- Dallas School District
- Lake-Lehman School District
Colleges and Universities
- Misericordia University in Dallas
- Penn State Wilkes-Barre in Lehman
Libraries
- Back Mountain Memorial Library
Transportation
Getting around the Back Mountain is easy with several main roads.
Highways
PA 29
PA 118
PA 309
PA 415
Nearby Airports
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport
- Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport
Notable People from Back Mountain
Many interesting people have connections to the Back Mountain area:
- Lisa Baker, a State Senator for Pennsylvania.
- Raye Hollitt, an American actress and strong female bodybuilder. She was one of the first cast members of American Gladiators.
- Mitchell Jenkins, a former U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania.
- Greg Manusky, an NFL football player and coach.
- Francis T. McAndrew, a psychologist, professor, and author.
- Jay McCarroll, the winning designer from Season 1 of Project Runway. He grew up in Lehman.
- Dan Meuser, a U.S. Representative.
- Paige Selenski, a field hockey player for the US Olympic Team.
- Greg Skrepenak, a former NFL player and local county official.
- Stacey Williams, a fashion model.
- T. Newell Wood, a Pennsylvania State Senator.
Images for kids
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Swampland in Frances Slocum State Park
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Harveys Lake
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Lake Louise
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Undeveloped land in Lake Township
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A bicyclist in Dallas Township
See also
In Spanish: Back Mountain para niños
