Greencastle, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greencastle, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Bank Clock tower on the square
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Location of Greencastle in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
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 Greencastle, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Greencastle, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Franklin |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.59 sq mi (4.11 km2) |
| • Land | 1.59 sq mi (4.11 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 587 ft (179 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,251 |
| • Density | 2,676.95/sq mi (1,033.89/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
17225
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| Area code(s) | 717 and 223 |
| FIPS code | 42-30896 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1215244 |
Greencastle is a small town, also known as a borough, located in Franklin County in south-central Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 4,251 people lived there. Greencastle is nestled in the beautiful Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania.
Contents
History of Greencastle
Greencastle was founded in 1783 by John Allison. He named the town after Greencastle, County Antrim, in Northern Ireland. The town started with 246 building plots. By 1790, Greencastle had grown to about 60 houses and was home to around 400 people. By the mid-1800s, the population reached 1,125 residents.
Early Settlements
A man named James Patton, who came to America when he was 17, helped start the first settlement in the area. He described the people living there as "moral and orderly."
Latter Day Saint Community
In 1845, after the death of their leader Joseph Smith, some members of the Latter Day Saint movement followed Sidney Rigdon to Pennsylvania. They created a settlement near Greencastle called New Jerusalem. About 200 followers lived there. They even started a newspaper in Greencastle and planned to build a temple. This community only lasted a few years. Some followers later moved to Utah to join another leader, Brigham Young.
Greencastle During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Greencastle and its nearby communities helped form the 126th Pennsylvania Infantry regiment. In the summer of 1863, the war came very close to home. Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his army marched through southern Pennsylvania during the Gettysburg Campaign.
From mid-June to early July, people in Greencastle lived under Confederate control. On July 2, the same day as the Battle of Gettysburg, a group of Union cavalry soldiers rode into Greencastle's town square. They surprised and captured several Confederate soldiers who were carrying important messages.
After the Battle of Gettysburg, Lee's army began to retreat. On July 4 and 5, a long train of wagons carrying wounded Confederate soldiers passed through Greencastle. Some brave townspeople attacked the wagons with axes, trying to stop them. They managed to damage several wagons before Confederate soldiers chased them away.
Modern Greencastle
After the Civil War, Greencastle grew a lot during the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s. Several factories were built in town, including one that made farming equipment.
In 1902, a local businessman named Philip Baer started a special tradition called "Old Home Week." Every three years in August, people who live in Greencastle and those who used to live there come together for a week-long reunion. They share memories and spend time together. The most recent Old Home Week was in 2022, and the next one will be in 2025.
Some important historical places in Greencastle are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Greencastle Historic District, the Mitchell-Shook House, and the Martin's Mill Bridge.
Greencastle also has many Christian churches with long histories. For example, the local Methodist church started holding services in the area as early as 1805.
Greencastle Geography
Greencastle is located in the southern part of Franklin County. It is surrounded by Antrim Township.
U.S. Route 11 runs through the western side of the town. It goes north 11 miles to Chambersburg, which is the county seat. It also goes south 11 miles to Hagerstown, Maryland.
Pennsylvania Route 16 passes through the center of Greencastle. It leads east 8 miles to Waynesboro and west 10 miles to Mercersburg.
Interstate 81 is just east of Greencastle. You can get on I-81 from Exit 3 (US-11) to the south or Exit 5 (PA 16) to the east. I-81 goes northeast 64 miles to Harrisburg and south 53 miles to Winchester, Virginia.
The United States Census Bureau says that Greencastle covers about 1.59 square miles (4.1 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the borough limits.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 931 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,125 | 20.8% | |
| 1860 | 1,399 | 24.4% | |
| 1870 | 1,650 | 17.9% | |
| 1880 | 1,735 | 5.2% | |
| 1890 | 1,525 | −12.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,463 | −4.1% | |
| 1910 | 1,919 | 31.2% | |
| 1920 | 2,271 | 18.3% | |
| 1930 | 2,557 | 12.6% | |
| 1940 | 2,511 | −1.8% | |
| 1950 | 2,611 | 4.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,988 | 14.4% | |
| 1970 | 3,293 | 10.2% | |
| 1980 | 3,679 | 11.7% | |
| 1990 | 3,600 | −2.1% | |
| 2000 | 3,722 | 3.4% | |
| 2010 | 3,996 | 7.4% | |
| 2020 | 4,251 | 6.4% | |
| Sources: | |||
According to the 2020 Census, Greencastle had a population of 4,251 people. In 2010, there were 3,996 people living in the borough. The population density was about 2,371 people per square mile. Most of the people living in Greencastle are White.
Fun Places and Community Life
Greencastle has some great places for fun and learning.
- Jerome King Park: This park has a playground and was created in 1923 during an Old Home Week celebration. It was built by David D. King to honor his brother.
- Antrim Township Park: This park opened in the early 2000s. It has trails that connect to the historic Martin's Mill Bridge.
- Martin's Mill Bridge: This old bridge had a big repair in 2016 to keep it strong and protect it from weather. The repair work even won an award for its artistic design and new ideas!
- Tayamentasachta (The School Farm): Next to the Greencastle-Antrim School District, there's a special place called Tayamentasachta, or the "school farm." It was bought for school expansion, but instead, it was turned into a place for students and the community to learn. It got its name, Tayamentasachta, in 1970, which is the traditional Native American name for the nearby stream.
- Community Groups: Greencastle has many historical buildings and community groups. These include the Alison-Antrim Museum and the Greencastle Area Youth Foundation (GAYF). The GAYF uses the old High Line Train Station to host clubs and youth groups like Scouts BSA.
Famous People from Greencastle
Many notable people have connections to Greencastle:
- Henry P. Fletcher (1873–1959), a soldier who served with Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders.
- Mary Alice Frush, a nurse during the American Civil War.
- David Fullerton (1772–1843), who was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
- George Kunkel (1823–1885), a famous American theatre manager.
- Thomas Grubb McCullough (1785–1848), also a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
- James Xavier McLanahan (1809–1861), another member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Jared Smith (1990–), a football player who was part of the 2013 Seattle Seahawks.
- Jacob Snively (1809–1871), a surveyor and civil engineer who was an officer in the Army of the Republic of Texas.
- John C. Young (1803–1857), who was the President of Centre College.
Images for kids
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Location of Greencastle in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
See also
In Spanish: Greencastle (Pensilvania) para niños
