Cortez, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Cortez is a small, quiet place in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger Jefferson County and follows its rules.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

An unincorporated community like Cortez is a place where people live close together, but it doesn't have its own mayor or town council. It's different from a city or a borough, which have their own local governments. For example, if you live in an unincorporated community, the county government handles things like roads, police, and fire services. This is common in many parts of the United States, especially in rural areas.

History of Cortez

Cortez had a post office that opened in 1895. A post office was a very important place back then. It was where people sent and received letters, packages, and even money. It often served as a central meeting spot for the community. The post office in Cortez stayed open for about nine years, closing its doors in 1904. This shows that Cortez was a small, active community during that time, even if it didn't have a large population. Many small communities in Pennsylvania grew around important services like a post office or a general store.