Goldsboro, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Goldsboro, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Goldsboro in 2022 with Three Mile Island in the background
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Location in York County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
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 Goldsboro, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Goldsboro, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Pennsylvania | |
| County | York | |
| Settled | 1736 | |
| Founded | 1850 | |
| Incorporated | 1864 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Borough Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 0.45 sq mi (1.18 km2) | |
| • Land | 0.45 sq mi (1.17 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) | |
| Elevation | 344 ft (105 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 932 | |
| • Density | 2,066.52/sq mi (798.22/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
17319
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| Area code(s) | 717, 223 | |
| FIPS code | 42-30016 | |
Goldsboro (once called Goldsborough) is a small town, known as a borough, in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 930 people lived there. It is part of the larger York–Hanover area.
Even though the town is called Goldsboro, its post office uses the name "Etters." This is because of its history, and the United States Postal Service actually prefers "Etters" for mail sent to ZIP code 17319.
Contents
History of Goldsboro
Early Settlement and Roads
In 1738, a Quaker named Nathan Hussey received land where Goldsboro is today. By 1743, a road was built from Walnut Bottom to Hussey's ferry. Later, in 1816, a turnpike (a toll road) was finished, connecting York to Harrisburg.
Founding the Town
Along this turnpike, near Hussey's Ferry, Henry Etter opened Etter's Tavern. This tavern also had Etter's Post Office by 1838. Goldsboro itself was founded in 1850 when a railroad line was completed. Before the railroad, the small group of about 20 houses was sometimes called Martinsville. This was in honor of Martin P. Burger, who owned a local store.
When the railway was finished in 1850, the village was named Goldsborough. This name honored J.M. Goldsborough, who was the civil engineer for the railway project. In 1849, Dr. Alexander Small surveyed the area and began selling land lots in Goldsborough. The Borough of Goldsborough officially became a town in 1864.
Goldsboro's Historic Past
A group focused on local history was started in 1976. The Goldsboro Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's a special area recognized for its important historical buildings.
The American Lightweight Boxing Championship
On January 15, 1867, an exciting prize fight happened in a field just north of Goldsboro. Two boxers, Sam Collyer and Johnny McGlade, fought for the American Lightweight boxing championship. The winner would also get $2000.
This was a bare-knuckle fight, which means they fought without gloves. Such fights were against the law back then. The boxers chose this day because it was the inauguration of the Governor of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. They hoped everyone would be focused on that event instead.
The sheriff of York County tried to stop the fight. He gathered a group of guards, but due to a mix-up, the guards didn't get off the train in Goldsboro. So, the sheriff was left alone and couldn't make any arrests.
The fight lasted for 47 rounds, taking 55 minutes. Collyer won and kept his title. It's believed that between 1,000 and 2,000 people watched the fight. This included members of the state government, gamblers, and other famous boxers of the time. People also placed a lot of bets, estimated to be over $200,000.
Why the Post Office is Called "Etters"
The name "Etters" for the Goldsboro post office comes from Henry Etter. He was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War and owned a tavern about a mile north of Goldsboro. In 1838, a post office was opened inside his tavern.
When the post office moved to Goldsboro in 1850, it kept the name "Etters." This was done to avoid confusion with another town called Gouldsboro in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, which already had a post office. The 17319 ZIP code for "Etters" also covers other areas beyond Goldsboro, including parts of Fairview Township, Valley Green, Newberry Township, Lewisberry Borough, and Yocumtown Village.
Geography
Goldsboro is located right along the Susquehanna River. From the town, you can see the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station. This was the site of the largest nuclear accident in the United States, which happened in 1979.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 310 | — | |
| 1880 | 378 | 21.9% | |
| 1890 | 345 | −8.7% | |
| 1900 | 385 | 11.6% | |
| 1910 | 434 | 12.7% | |
| 1920 | 477 | 9.9% | |
| 1930 | 459 | −3.8% | |
| 1940 | 478 | 4.1% | |
| 1950 | 558 | 16.7% | |
| 1960 | 542 | −2.9% | |
| 1970 | 576 | 6.3% | |
| 1980 | 477 | −17.2% | |
| 1990 | 458 | −4.0% | |
| 2000 | 939 | 105.0% | |
| 2010 | 952 | 1.4% | |
| 2020 | 930 | −2.3% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 928 | −2.5% | |
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In 2000, there were 939 people living in Goldsboro. About 46.5% of the households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.82 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 32.2% were under 18, and 40.4% were between 25 and 44 years old. The average age in the borough was 33 years.
Education
The schools in the Goldsboro community are part of the West Shore School District.
Notable People
- Greg Gross: A former professional baseball player and a 1980 World Series Champion.
- J. Michael Bishop: An immunologist and microbiologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1989.
Image Gallery
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Stone House
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Church of God
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House on the square
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Old Fire Company Building
See also
In Spanish: Goldsboro (Pensilvania) para niños
