Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Camp Curtin
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Neighborhood of Harrisburg
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Statue of Andrew Curtin located centrally within the neighborhood
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Dauphin County |
| City | Harrisburg |
| ZIP code |
17110
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| Area code(s) | 717 and 223 |
Camp Curtin is a historic neighborhood in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It's located in the northern part of the city, called Uptown. The neighborhood is named after an important American Civil War military camp that used to be there.
Today, Camp Curtin is bordered by Fifth Street to the west. Railroad tracks near the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex are to the east. Maclay Street is to the south, and Reels Lane is to the north.
A Look Back: Camp Curtin's History
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The American Civil War began in April 1861. After some southern states left the United States, President Abraham Lincoln asked for volunteers to protect the country. Harrisburg quickly became a very important place. It was a hub where soldiers from many states gathered. This was because Harrisburg had major railroad lines. These lines made it easy to transport troops to Washington, D.C., and battlefields.
To handle the huge number of soldiers, a new military training camp was built. It was located on the grounds of an agricultural school. This area is now Uptown Harrisburg. The camp was named after Pennsylvania's governor, Andrew Curtin. He was a close friend of President Lincoln. Governor Curtin quickly got Pennsylvania's troops ready to help.
Camp Curtin officially opened on April 18, 1861. It was not just a training camp. It also had a supply depot, a hospital, and a prisoner-of-war camp. Over 300,000 Union Army soldiers passed through Camp Curtin. This made it the largest Federal military training camp during the Civil War. When the war ended, many soldiers returned home through Camp Curtin. The camp officially closed on November 11, 1865.
After the war, the land where the camp stood was used for farming again.
Building the Community
In 1890, a new church was built on part of the old camp grounds. It was called the Camp Curtin Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. The church was meant to be a "monument" to the old Camp Curtin. Its first building was dedicated in July 1890. It was expanded three years later. After a fire, a new building was dedicated in 1895.
By 1915, the church planned an even bigger building. This new facility would have a gym, library, and showers. These facilities would be "open to all the young men and women of the community." This meant people could use them no matter their religious beliefs. The goal was to make the church a "social center" for everyone.
More community services were added to the neighborhood. The Camp Curtin Fire Station was built around 1910–1911.
In the 1920s, a statue of Governor Curtin was placed in front of the Camp Curtin Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. This was to further honor the important history of the area.
By the 1970s, the neighborhood had several facilities for residents. These included the Camp Curtin Community Park, a large green space. There was also the Camp Curtin Early Childhood Center. An indoor recreation center with a gym and auditorium was available too.
Camp Curtin Today: A Strong Community
In recent years, community leaders in Camp Curtin started a project. It's called the Camp Curtin Community Neighborhood United (CCCNU). This group helps residents and businesses work together. They focus on improving the community and keeping it safe.
The CCCNU meets monthly. They have working groups that focus on different areas. Some groups work to improve education for residents. Others fight against blight (run-down properties) and crime. Another group collects information about the neighborhood. This data helps leaders work better with government officials. Their goal is to improve life in Camp Curtin.
In 2013, Jean H. Cutler received an award for her work in historic preservation. She helped the CCCNU use the area's railroad and Civil War history. This helped to build community pride and encourage new investments.
The Camp Curtin Academy is a school in the neighborhood. It is part of the Harrisburg School District. In 2014, the school had 739 students in grades 5 through 8. Many students received free lunches, showing a need for support. The school also provided special education services. Most of the teachers were highly qualified.
As of 2019, the Camp Curtin neighborhood had a population of 6,204 people. About 58 percent of them owned their homes. The average age of residents was 49.
