Clearfield, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Clearfield, Pennsylvania, looking west
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Location of Clearfield in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.
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Map showing Clearfield County in Pennsylvania
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 Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Clearfield |
| Settled | 1805 |
| Incorporated | 1840 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.88 sq mi (4.87 km2) |
| • Land | 1.80 sq mi (4.67 km2) |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,109 ft (338 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,962 |
| • Density | 3,306.71/sq mi (1,276.88/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
16830
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| Area code(s) | 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-14064 |
Clearfield is a borough in Pennsylvania, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Clearfield County. In 2020, about 5,962 people lived there. This makes it the second biggest community in Clearfield County, after DuBois.
Clearfield is part of a larger area that includes nearby places like Hyde and Plymptonville. Together, these areas have about 8,237 people.
Contents
History of Clearfield
Long ago, Native Americans used many trade routes and paths in Clearfield County. This was true up until the 1600s.
The Great Shamokin Path
One important path was the Great Shamokin Path. It started near a Native American village called Shamokin. Today, that area is known as Sunbury. The path went west past Lock Haven. It then reached Chinklacamoose, which is now the borough of Clearfield. The path ended at a village called Kittanning, which is now the town of the same name.
Important Historic Places
Clearfield has four places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are very important buildings or areas with a rich history.
- Clearfield County Courthouse
- Dimeling Hotel
- Old Town Historic District
- Thomas Murray House
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All-America City Award
In 1966, Clearfield won the All-America City Award. This award is given each year to the top ten cities in the United States. It means Clearfield was recognized for its community efforts and achievements.
Geography of Clearfield
Clearfield is located in the middle of Clearfield County. It sits along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Another stream, Clearfield Creek, joins the main river about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of town.
Getting Around Clearfield
U.S. Route 322 goes through Clearfield. A major highway, Interstate 80, is just north of the borough. You can get to Clearfield from Exit 120 (which is Pennsylvania Route 879) on I-80.
From Clearfield, you can travel about 22 miles (35 km) northwest to DuBois using US-322 and I-80. If you go southeast on US-322, you will reach State College in about 40 miles (64 km).
Neighborhoods in Clearfield
Clearfield has several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character.
- East End is in the northeastern part of Clearfield. U.S. Route 322 runs along its northern side. This area has a grain processing plant and the headquarters for the R.J. Corman Railroad.
- Golden Rod is just outside the borough limits to the east. It is close to the Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Clearfield Campus. This area is near where the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Clearfield Creek meet.
- Hillsdale is also east of Clearfield and outside the main borough. It is on a hill with views of the town. Lock Haven University's Clearfield campus used to be here.
- Kerr or Kerr Addition is across the river from the East End. It is outside the borough limits. This area has the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center. You can also find many stores here.
- South Park or South Side is mostly in the southern part of Clearfield. It has many older, large houses that overlook the river.
- West Side is within the borough, west of the river. It has many homes from the mid-1800s. You'll find businesses and churches here, including the West Side United Methodist Church. Clearfield Hospital and the Clearfield County Fairgrounds are also in the West Side.
Schools in Clearfield
Students in Clearfield attend schools in the Clearfield Area School District.
- Clearfield Area School District
- Clearfield Area Elementary School
- Clearfield Area Junior/Senior High School
- Clearfield Alliance Christian School
- St. Francis School
Library
The Joseph and Elizabeth Shaw Public Library was started in 1940. It serves the community of Clearfield.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 503 | — | |
| 1860 | 757 | 50.5% | |
| 1870 | 1,361 | 79.8% | |
| 1880 | 1,809 | 32.9% | |
| 1890 | 2,248 | 24.3% | |
| 1900 | 5,081 | 126.0% | |
| 1910 | 6,851 | 34.8% | |
| 1920 | 8,529 | 24.5% | |
| 1930 | 9,221 | 8.1% | |
| 1940 | 9,372 | 1.6% | |
| 1950 | 9,357 | −0.2% | |
| 1960 | 9,270 | −0.9% | |
| 1970 | 8,176 | −11.8% | |
| 1980 | 7,580 | −7.3% | |
| 1990 | 6,633 | −12.5% | |
| 2000 | 6,631 | 0.0% | |
| 2010 | 6,215 | −6.3% | |
| 2020 | 5,962 | −4.1% | |
| Sources: | |||
In 2010, Clearfield had 6,215 people living there. About 20.4% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age was 41 years.
Notable People from Clearfield
Many interesting people have come from Clearfield.
- Willie Adams, a baseball pitcher
- Howie Bedell, a baseball player
- William Bigler, a former Governor of Pennsylvania and U.S. Senator
- Earl Caldwell, a famous reporter and columnist
- Skip Cleaver, a state legislator in New Hampshire
- Otto Eppers, a cartoonist who jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge as a stunt
- Howard Fargo, a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Anthony A. Mitchell, a clarinet player, composer, and conductor for the U.S. Navy Band
- Rembrandt Cecil Robinson, a U.S. Navy officer
- Edward Scofield, a former governor of Wisconsin
- William Irvin Swoope, a U.S. Representative
- William A. Wallace, a U.S. Senator
- Powell Weaver, a composer and organist
Media in Clearfield
Clearfield has access to different types of media.
Television
Clearfield gets TV channels from the Johnstown-Altoona-State College area. The public television station WPSU-TV is officially based in Clearfield.
Movies
Some movies have been filmed in Clearfield County and downtown Clearfield. For example, "Guilt & Sentence" (2010) and "Generational Sins" (2017) were shot here.
Newspaper
Clearfield has a daily newspaper called The Progress, which has been published since 1913. There is also an online newspaper called Gant Daily, started in 2006.
Radio
You can listen to several radio stations in the Clearfield area:
- WOKW 102.9 MHz
- WPQP
- WIFT
- WCPA-AM 900 kHz
- WQQP 95.9 MHz
See also
In Spanish: Clearfield (Pensilvania) para niños
