Boalsburg, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
|
|
|---|---|
Downtown Boalsburg
|
|
Location within Centre County
|
|
 Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Centre |
| Townships | Harris, College |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.80 sq mi (15.03 km2) |
| • Land | 5.80 sq mi (15.02 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,105 ft (337 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 4,577 |
| • Density | 789.55/sq mi (304.82/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
16827
|
| Area code(s) | 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-07368 |
Boalsburg is a small town in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a community that the government counts for population statistics. Boalsburg is part of the larger State College, Pennsylvania area.
In 2020, about 4,577 people lived here. Boalsburg is famous for claiming to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. However, some historians have questioned this claim. They point out that the story of Boalsburg starting the holiday was first written down in 1904, many years after the first Memorial Day.
Contents
History of Boalsburg
The town of Boalsburg got its name from the Boal family. They moved to this area from Ireland a long time ago.
The Boal Family and Columbus Chapel
A member of the fourth generation of the Boal family, Colonel Theodore Davis Boal, married a woman named Mathilde de Lagarde. Mathilde's aunt was related to Christopher Columbus, the famous explorer.
In 1908, Mathilde inherited part of her aunt's estate. This inheritance included a special chapel and an admiral's desk. Family stories say the desk might have belonged to Columbus himself! In 1919, the Columbus Chapel was brought all the way from Spain to the Boal Mansion in Boalsburg. Today, you can visit the Boal Mansion Museum and the Columbus Chapel.
Boalsburg's Early Days
Boalsburg was once an important stop for travelers. It was on the main road between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The David Boal tavern, which offered a place to stay for travelers, is still standing today.
The town is also home to the Pennsylvania Military Museum. This museum teaches visitors about Pennsylvania's military history. You can also find the headquarters of a Civil War reenacting group here, called the 3rd Pennsylvania Light Artillery Battery B.
Historic Places
Several places in Boalsburg are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. The Boalsburg Historic District and Hill House were added in 1977. The Boal Mansion was added the next year.
The town has a special layout called 'the Diamond' in its market square. This design was common in a part of Ireland called Ulster, and was brought to Pennsylvania by Irish settlers.
Geography of Boalsburg
Boalsburg is located in the southern part of Centre County, Pennsylvania. It is near the Rothrock State Forest.
The town covers about 5.8 square miles (15.0 square kilometers) of land. It is centered around Pennsylvania Route 45 and Business U.S. Route 322.
Roads and Nearby Areas
Business 322, also known as Boal Avenue, goes into the center of State College, Pennsylvania. State College is about 4 miles (6 kilometers) northwest of Boalsburg. The main US 322 highway bypasses State College. If you go east and then south on US 322, you can reach Lewistown, which is about 27 miles (43 kilometers) away.
Natural Features
Spring Creek flows north through Boalsburg. It eventually joins Bald Eagle Creek. The Tussey Mountain Ski Area is located on the eastern edge of Boalsburg, offering a place for winter sports.
People of Boalsburg
Population and Diversity
According to the 2020 census, Boalsburg had a population of 4,577 people. In 2010, there were 3,722 people living in 1,523 households.
Most people in Boalsburg are White (93.5%). There are also smaller groups of African American (2.2%), Asian (2.0%), and Native American (0.1%) residents. About 1.6% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Families
In 2010, about 31.7% of households had children under 18 living with them. Most households (57.8%) were married couples living together. The average household had about 2.44 people.
The population of Boalsburg is spread out in terms of age. About 23.3% of residents are under 18 years old. About 14.3% are 65 years or older. The average age in Boalsburg was 43 years.
See also
In Spanish: Boalsburg para niños
