Berwick, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Berwick, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Dickson Block in 1912
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| Motto(s):
"Proud of Our Heritage"
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Location of Berwick in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
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Location of Columbia County in Pennsylvania
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 Berwick, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Berwick, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Columbia, Luzerne |
| Settled | 1769 |
| Incorporated | 1818 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.25 sq mi (8.42 km2) |
| • Land | 3.07 sq mi (7.96 km2) |
| • Water | 0.18 sq mi (0.46 km2) |
| Elevation | 558 ft (170 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,327 |
| • Density | 3,359.47/sq mi (1,297.17/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
18603
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| Area code(s) | 570 and 272 |
| FIPS code | 42-05888 |
Berwick is a town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, USA. It is part of a larger area called Northeastern Pennsylvania. In 2020, about 10,355 people lived there. Berwick is one of the main towns in the Bloomsburg–Berwick metropolitan area. This area also includes Montour County.
Contents
History of Berwick
Berwick was started by Evan Owen in 1769. He was a surveyor from Wales. The town was named after Berwick-upon-Tweed in England. It is located on the north side of the Susquehanna River. Berwick officially became a town in 1818.
For many years, Berwick was known for its factories. Companies like American Car and Foundry Company made things here. Wise Potato Chips, a famous snack company, also started in Berwick! In 1917, Berwick joined with a nearby town called West Berwick. This made the town much bigger.
Berwick is very proud of its high school football team, the Bulldogs. They have won six state championships and three national championships! The high school also won its first state championship in baseball in 2008.
Since 1947, Berwick has had a special Christmas tradition. The Jaycees created the Berwick Christmas Boulevard. It's a mile-long display of lights and decorations on Market Street. Thousands of people visit it every year. Santa Claus is usually there to give out Berwick's famous Wise Potato Chips!
Two important buildings in Berwick are on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Berwick Armory and the Jackson Mansion and Carriage House.
Geography and Location
Berwick is located in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. To the north is Briar Creek Township. To the west is Briar Creek borough. South of Berwick, across the Susquehanna River, is Mifflin Township. To the east is Salem Township in Luzerne County. The town of Nescopeck is also to the southeast, across the river.
Berwick covers about 3.25 square miles (8.43 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, and a small part is water.
Roads and Transportation
U.S. Route 11 goes through the middle of Berwick. It uses Front Street (for traffic going northeast) and Second Street (for traffic going southwest). US 11 goes northeast to Kingston and southwest to Bloomsburg.
Pennsylvania Route 93 also uses Front and Second Streets in Berwick. It then turns south to cross the Susquehanna River to Nescopeck. In the other direction, PA 93 goes west from US 11 as Orange Street.
Interstate 80 passes south of Berwick. You can get on I-80 a few miles southwest or southeast of town.
Long ago, the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg, and Berwick Railroad had a station in Berwick. The Pennsylvania Canal (North Branch Division) also used to run along the Susquehanna River here. There was a lock that helped boats move up or down the canal.
Climate
Berwick has a "Warm Summer Continental Climate." This means it has warm summers and cold winters.
| Climate data for Berwick, Pennsylvania | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 2 (36) |
4 (39) |
9 (48) |
17 (62) |
23 (73) |
28 (82) |
30 (86) |
29 (84) |
24 (76) |
19 (66) |
11 (51) |
4 (39) |
17 (62) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −7 (19) |
−7 (20) |
−2 (28) |
3 (37) |
9 (48) |
14 (57) |
16 (61) |
16 (60) |
12 (53) |
5 (41) |
1 (33) |
−5 (23) |
4 (40) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 58 (2.3) |
58 (2.3) |
69 (2.7) |
86 (3.4) |
100 (4) |
91 (3.6) |
100 (4.1) |
100 (4) |
91 (3.6) |
71 (2.8) |
81 (3.2) |
74 (2.9) |
990 (39) |
| Source: Weatherbase | |||||||||||||
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 317 | — | |
| 1840 | 452 | — | |
| 1850 | 486 | 7.5% | |
| 1860 | 487 | 0.2% | |
| 1870 | 923 | 89.5% | |
| 1880 | 2,095 | 127.0% | |
| 1890 | 2,701 | 28.9% | |
| 1900 | 3,916 | 45.0% | |
| 1910 | 5,357 | 36.8% | |
| 1920 | 12,181 | 127.4% | |
| 1930 | 12,660 | 3.9% | |
| 1940 | 13,181 | 4.1% | |
| 1950 | 14,010 | 6.3% | |
| 1960 | 13,353 | −4.7% | |
| 1970 | 12,274 | −8.1% | |
| 1980 | 11,850 | −3.5% | |
| 1990 | 10,976 | −7.4% | |
| 2000 | 10,774 | −1.8% | |
| 2010 | 10,477 | −2.8% | |
| 2020 | 10,355 | −1.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 10,349 | −1.2% | |
| Sources: | |||
In 2000, there were 10,774 people living in Berwick. Most people were White (97.10%). Other groups included African American, Native American, and Asian people. About 1.62% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Between 1890 and 1920, many immigrants came to Berwick. These included people from Slovakia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland. Many of them were Eastern Catholic or Roman Catholic.
In 2000, about 26.4% of households had children under 18. The average age in Berwick was 40 years old.
Economy and Industry
During World War II, Berwick was an important place for making military equipment. Over 15,000 Stuart tanks were built at the American Car & Foundry plant in town. This factory also made parts for railroads.
Today, Berwick is home to Berwick Offray, which makes gift ribbons. It is also where Wise Foods is located. This snack food company was started by Earl Wise, who was from Berwick. They are famous for their potato chips.
Education in Berwick
Berwick is part of the Berwick Area School District. There are five public schools in the district:
- Berwick Area High School
- Berwick Area Middle School
- Nescopeck Elementary School
- West Berwick Elementary School
- Salem Elementary School
Most students in the district attend class regularly, and many graduate on time.
Berwick also has other educational options. These include the Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School. There is also a private school called Holy Family School. It is a Catholic school for students up to 4th grade.
Berwick has a campus of Luzerne County Community College. It is located in the Eagles Building. Other colleges and universities are nearby, such as Bloomsburg University and Penn State Hazleton.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg runs Holy Family Consolidated School. The McBride Memorial Library opened in 2008. It serves the people of Berwick and the surrounding areas.
Notable People from Berwick
Many interesting people have come from Berwick, Pennsylvania. Here are a few:
- Nick Adams – an actor
- Russ Canzler – a baseball player
- George Curry – a football coach
- John Gordner – a Pennsylvania State Senator
- Matt Karchner – a baseball pitcher
- Bo Orlando – a football player
- Billy Petrolle – a boxer
- Jimmy Spencer – a racecar driver
- Jayson Terdiman – an Olympic luger
- Jared Verse – a football player
Images for kids
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The fire hall of the East Berwick Fire Co.
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Defender volunteer fire company. The older engine for show and parades
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Reliance Fire Company
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Berwick Christian Church
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Berwick Assembly of God Church
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Bower Memorial United Methodist Church
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Berwick has a special relationship with Berwick-Upon-Tweed in England.
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Berwick Theater, still showing films in 2017
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1st United Methodist Church
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Salvation Army building
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The Berwick YMCA, in a former school building
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Water storage tank for Wise Snacks
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Dalo's, a long-standing bakery
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May's Drive In, long time landmark
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Berwick Red Cross building
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St. Paul United Methodist Church
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Seventh Day Adventist Church
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St. Joseph Catholic Church
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Grace Lutheran Church
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First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
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Calvary United Methodist Church
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1st United Church of Christ
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Knights of Columbus
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The Elks club building
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VFW post
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Army tank behind VFW post
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"Double house" (duplex), one of many built in first half of 20th century
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Edith Orvis, who came to help meet the social and spiritual needs of immigrants
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Founders of Berwick
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Crispin Field, home of the Bulldogs
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Four and a half street, a unique street name, running from Berwick into Salem Township
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West Berwick Elementary school
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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
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Former Berwick Hospital
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Berwick Hospital
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Christ Episcopal Church
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National Guard armory from 1922
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South end of armory
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Tuzzi's Italian Bakery, family owned & local landmark.
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Stuccio's Pizza in Berwick, celebrating 50 years in business
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Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church
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Saints Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church
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Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church, Berwick PA.
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old Berwick High School, no longer standing
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Berwick High School
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Salem Elementary School
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Crispin Mansion, facing the Susquehanna River
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See also
In Spanish: Berwick (Pensilvania) para niños
