Elkland, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elkland, Pennsylvania
Borough
Elkand as seen from the Cowanesque River
Location of Elkland in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.
Elkland, Pennsylvania Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Elkland, Pennsylvania Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Tioga
Settled	1806
Incorporated (borough)	1850
Area
• Total	2.61 sq mi (6.77 km2)
• Land	2.61 sq mi (6.77 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	1,132 ft (345 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,827
• Density	698.93/sq mi (269.89/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST)
• Summer (DST)	EDT
ZIP code	16920
Area code(s)	814
FIPS code	42-23152

Elkland is a small town, called a borough, located in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,827 people lived there. It's a place with a rich history, especially known for its early settlers and how it grew from a small community into a busy village.

Elkland's Location and Landscape

Elkland is found at 41°59′24″N 77°18′40″W / 41.99000°N 77.31111°W / 41.99000; -77.31111. It covers an area of about 2.3 square miles (6.0 square kilometers), and all of this land is dry ground. The borough is located right next to the Cowanesque River, which has played an important role in its development.

A Look at Elkland's History

The history of Elkland is full of interesting stories about how the area was settled and how the town grew over time.

How Elkland Borough Was Formed

The area around Elkland was first organized as a township in 1814. Back then, it was much larger, stretching across a wide area along the New York state line. Over the years, parts of this large township were separated to form new townships like Nelson and Osceola.

In 1849, the borough of Elkland was officially created, making it a smaller, more defined town. The original Elkland township eventually stopped existing as its land became part of the new borough and other townships.

The First Settlers of Elkland

The very first person known to settle in what is now Elkland was Baker Pierce, who arrived around the early 1800s. He passed away in 1815.

Soon after, the Taylor family arrived in 1806. Mrs. Permelia Taylor and her three sons, Ebenezer, Philip, and Mitchell, traveled a long way to settle here. Other early families like the Coates and Daniel Holiday also came to the area.

In 1811, a group of families from New York, including Samuel Tubbs Sr. and his sons, and his sons-in-law, moved to Elkland. They bought a lot of land and helped build the community. John Ryon Jr. and his brother James settled in the center of Elkland, which was even called "Ryonsville" for a while. John Ryon Jr. became a very important person in the village. He was the first merchant and even served in the state government. These early settlers worked hard to make Elkland a thriving place.

How the Village Grew

Elkland started to grow steadily. Around 1815, people began building mills, like saw-mills and grist-mills, to process wood and grain. These mills were important for the local economy.

The first store in Elkland opened around 1824 or 1825, started by John Ryon Jr. and Robert Tubbs. Later, Joel Parkhurst took over the store and became a very successful businessman in the area. More stores and businesses opened as the population grew.

In the early days, Elkland was a very small place. There were no paved streets, and the mail only arrived once a week by a person on horseback! There wasn't even a bridge across the river. But over time, more houses were built, and the village slowly became a busy and successful town.

Elkland's Industries and Businesses

Over the years, Elkland saw many different businesses and factories.

• Tannery: Around 1851, a tannery was built to process animal hides into leather. It was destroyed by fire in 1893 but was rebuilt and continued to operate.
• Factories: A factory that made sashes, doors, and blinds was established around 1857. Later, the Elkland Furniture Association started making furniture in 1882, employing many people. The Elkland Manufacturing Company, which made toys and other fun items, also opened in 1887. These factories provided jobs and helped the town grow.
• Oil Company: In 1877, the Cowanesque Valley Oil Company was formed, and they tried to find oil and gas nearby.

Learning in Elkland: A History of Schools

Education has always been important in Elkland.

Early Schools and Teachers

In the early days, schools in Elkland were supported by families paying a fee, called a "subscription." The first schools were held in any available house. We don't know the exact year the first school opened, but it was likely around 1814 or 1816. Some of the first teachers included Henry Womer, Miss Mary Ryon, and Harriet B. Wright.

Miss Wright taught a class of 18 students in 1824 in an old log house. Her pay was about one dollar per week, or a bushel of good wheat! At that time, Elkland was still very small, with no stores or shops. The mail came only once a week.

The First School Buildings

The very first school building in Elkland was built in 1827. It's still standing today and is used as a home. This building was also used as a church until 1835.

In 1839-1840, James Tubbs taught at this school. He remembered that they didn't have blackboards, and students learned spelling, reading, and arithmetic at their own pace. Penmanship (handwriting) was also given a lot of attention.

A second, larger school building with two stories was built in 1855. Then, in 1876, Joel Parkhurst offered to donate a new brick school house, which was a big improvement for the community. These schools helped many generations of Elkland children get an education.

Elkland's Population Over Time

Elkland has seen its population change over the years. In 1860, only 312 people lived there, but by 1940, it had grown to 2,400 residents. The population has stayed around 1,800 to 1,900 people in recent decades.

In 2000, there were 1,786 people living in Elkland. About 24% of the population was under 18 years old, showing that many families with children live in the borough. People of all ages contribute to the community, with a good mix of young people, adults, and seniors.

See also

In Spanish: Elkland (Pensilvania) para niños