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Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania
Borough
Glenwood Avenue
Glenwood Avenue
Location of Glen Campbell in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
Location of Glen Campbell in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania is located in Pennsylvania
Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania
Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania is located in the United States
Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania
Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Indiana
Government
 • Type Borough Council
Area
 • Total 0.93 sq mi (2.41 km2)
 • Land 0.93 sq mi (2.41 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 256
 • Density 274.97/sq mi (106.21/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip code
15742
Area code(s) 814
FIPS code 42-29512

Glen Campbell is a small town, also called a borough, located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is about 80 miles (135 km) east of the big city of Pittsburgh. Glen Campbell shares its borders with only two other areas: Banks Township to the north, east, and west, and Montgomery Township to the south.

In 2020, the population of Glen Campbell was 254 people.

History of Glen Campbell

How Glen Campbell Got Its Name

Glen Campbell was named in 1889 after Cornelius Campbell. He was the first boss, or superintendent, of the Glenwood Coal Company. This company mined coal in the area. The word glen comes from Scottish language and means valley.

Becoming a Borough

Glen Campbell officially became a borough on September 27, 1894. People asked for it to become a borough on March 5, 1894. After checking everything, the request was approved. The first election for the new borough was held on October 13, 1894.

Famous Visitors and Residents

The popular singer Glen Campbell visited the town of Glen Campbell in 1971. This visit was even featured in a TV Guide article. A well-known academic named Glenn Campbell also visited at some point.

A famous baseball player, Michael William Menosky, was born in Glen Campbell on October 16, 1894. People called him "Leaping Mike" because he was very fast and made amazing catches. His family later moved about four miles away to Arcadia.

Leaping Mike played baseball from 1914 to 1930. He played for teams like the Pittsburgh Rebels, Washington Senators, and the Boston Red Sox. He even took over Babe Ruth's spot in left field when Ruth left the Red Sox.

The Coal Town Era

Glen Campbell was the very first coal town in Indiana County, founded in 1889. It was named for Cornelius Campbell, who led the Glenwood Coal Company. This company started the coal mining in the area. The town grew quickly, and soon many coal companies were working nearby.

In 1894, just five years after it started, Glen Campbell became a borough. The town quickly became a busy center for shopping and services. It served many smaller mining communities that grew up in northern Indiana County.

By 1900, Glen Campbell was the third largest town in Indiana County. It was also the fastest-growing community. Some people even thought the county seat, which is like the main town for the county government, might move to Glen Campbell one day.

Industries and Businesses

The town had two major railroads, the Pennsylvania and New York Central railroads. These helped transport goods and people. Besides coal mining, there were also many lumber mills. In 1905, the Giant Electric Light, Heat, and Power Company opened. It provided electricity to nearby communities.

Other businesses included a brickyard, which made bricks from clay found near Cush Creek. There was also a cooper's shop that made barrels. Later, a factory that made batteries opened. There were even plans for a metal foundry and a furniture factory.

At its busiest time, Glen Campbell had about sixty businesses. It had an opera house and a nickelodeon, which was an early movie theater. The town also had its own school system, including a high school. There were several dentists and doctors, and one doctor even had a small hospital for miners.

The town had its own bank, the First National Bank of Glen Campbell. Many newspapers, like The Glen Campbell Comet, were published there. Many social groups also started up in the town.

Challenges and Changes

Unfortunately, the good times did not last. Problems with workers, less coal being dug, and fewer trees for lumber caused difficulties. Several big fires also damaged the town. The Great Depression, a time of severe economic hardship, hit the town hard. The bank closed for good, and many businesses either shut down or moved away. The community never fully recovered its former size.

Glen Campbell Today

Even though its busiest days are in the past, Glen Campbell still attracts attention. Its fire company helps protect many communities nearby. The town has three active churches: Methodist, Baptist, and Roman Catholic. Social groups include the American Legion and the Glen Campbell Fireman's Auxiliary.

The town's post office still delivers mail to a large area around the borough. There are also several businesses in Glen Campbell today, including some that are still related to coal.

The Sen. Joseph O. Clark House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. This house is located at 247 First Avenue. Joseph O. Clark was a state senator from 1921 to 1924. He was involved in lumber, banking, and many other companies.

Geography of Glen Campbell

Glen Campbell is located at 40°49′9″N 78°49′35″W / 40.81917°N 78.82639°W / 40.81917; -78.82639 (40.819052, -78.826327).

The United States Census Bureau says the borough has a total area of about 0.9 square miles (2.4 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no water.

Population Information

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 1,628
1910 1,099 −32.5%
1920 1,059 −3.6%
1930 588 −44.5%
1940 612 4.1%
1950 510 −16.7%
1960 400 −21.6%
1970 408 2.0%
1980 352 −13.7%
1990 313 −11.1%
2000 306 −2.2%
2010 245 −19.9%
2020 254 3.7%
2021 (est.) 253 3.3%
Sources:

In 2000, there were 306 people living in Glen Campbell. These people lived in 109 households, and 74 of these were families. The population density was about 327.8 people per square mile (126.6 per square kilometer). All of the residents were White.

About 28.4% of households had children under 18 living with them. Almost half (47.7%) were married couples. About 27.5% of all households were individuals living alone. About 15.6% of households had someone aged 65 or older living alone.

The average household had 2.51 people, and the average family had 3.03 people.

The population was spread out by age:

  • 22.9% were under 18 years old.
  • 5.2% were from 18 to 24 years old.
  • 22.5% were from 25 to 44 years old.
  • 25.8% were from 45 to 64 years old.
  • 23.5% were 65 years or older.

The average age in the borough was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 100 males.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Glen Campbell (Pensilvania) para niños

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