Blue Ball, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blue Ball
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Along US 322 approaching PA 23
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 Blue Ball
Location in Pennsylvania
Blue Ball
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Lancaster |
| Township | East Earl |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.19 sq mi (3.10 km2) |
| • Land | 1.19 sq mi (3.09 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 441 ft (134 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,084 |
| • Density | 907.87/sq mi (350.52/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
17506
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| Area code(s) | 717 |
| FIPS code | 42-07208 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1169864 |
Blue Ball is a small, unincorporated community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is also a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's an area defined by the government for collecting statistics. Blue Ball is located in East Earl Township. It lies about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the town of New Holland. The community is found where two important roads, US 322 and PA Route 23, meet. As of the 2020 census, about 1,084 people live in Blue Ball.
Why is it Called Blue Ball?
The interesting name "Blue Ball" comes from a very old hotel. This hotel was built more than 200 years ago. It was called the Blue Ball Hotel and stood at the intersection of PA 23 and US 322. The hotel was taken down in 1997.
How the Name Started
In the early 1700s, a man named John Wallace built a small building in an area then known as Earl Town. This building was at the crossing of two old trails. These trails were originally used by Native Americans. One trail was called French Creek Path (now Route 23), and the other was Paxtang (now Route 322).
John Wallace hung a blue ball from a post outside his building. He called his place "The Sign of the Blue Ball." People living nearby soon started calling the entire town "Blue Ball" after the popular inn. In 1833, Earl Town officially changed its name to Blue Ball. Later, during a time in history called Prohibition, when alcohol was illegal, the inn changed its name to the Blue Ball Hotel.
See also
In Spanish: Blue Ball para niños
