Hardscrabble, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hardscrabble
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Neighborhood of Harrisburg
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A section of Harrisburg’s Hardscrabble neighborhood along the western side of Front Street.
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Dauphin County |
| City | Harrisburg |
Hardscrabble was a small community in Midtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It existed from the late 1700s until 1924. People called it "Hardscrabble" because it was known as a tough or challenging place to live and work.
This area was located right next to the Susquehanna River on its western side. It stretched from Calder Street in the north to Herr Street in the south. Front Street was to its east, and the community even overlapped onto it.
Contents
A Riverside Community
Hardscrabble was an important spot for workers in the logging industry. Logging was a big business back then. The community was right by the river, which was perfect for moving logs.
River Trade and Businesses
Because of its location, Hardscrabble had many businesses related to river trade. These included places where boats were rented or stored, called boat liveries. There were also lumber mills that processed the wood. Other businesses supported the busy river activities.
Changes and Decline
Over time, the logging industry started to slow down. Another activity, river coal dredging (collecting coal from the riverbed), also decreased. As these industries declined, the Hardscrabble area began to fall apart. By the early 1900s, it was in poor condition.
The City Beautiful Movement
Around this time, a movement called the City Beautiful Movement was popular. This movement aimed to make cities prettier and more organized. In Harrisburg, the City Council wanted to improve the city. They were paving streets and building steps along the esplanade of Riverfront Park.
Hardscrabble's Obstacle
Hardscrabble was in the way of the city's plans. A part of Front Street had never been officially opened. The community of Hardscrabble was blocking this important street. In the early 1910s, Ross A. Hickok suggested removing the area. He was from the Harrisburg League of Municipal Improvements.
In 1915, a local newspaper, the Harrisburg Telegraph, called Hardscrabble "The Gap in the Steps." It was seen as the only messy spot in the beautiful line of the city's "front steps."
Eminent Domain and Demolition
The City tried to buy the homes from the people living in Hardscrabble. However, the residents did not want to sell their properties. So, the City decided to use a legal process called eminent domain.
What is Eminent Domain?
Eminent domain is when the government can take private land for public use. This can happen even if the owners don't want to sell. But, the government must pay the owners a fair price for their property.
Forced to Leave
In 1915, the City officially declared the neighborhood "condemned." This meant the buildings were unsafe or needed to be removed for public use. The City Council decided to pay the property owners more than $64,000 for their land. This was a lot of money at the time, equal to over $1.7 million in 2021!
There were legal battles for several years. Finally, in 1921, the residents were forced to leave their homes. Many businesses were also affected. For example, the A. P. Dintaman and Harry J. Berrier boat pavilions had to move. These places stored over 500 canoes and other small boats.
By 1924, the entire Hardscrabble community was torn down. The old basement foundations of the homes were kept. They were then turned into the beautiful Sunken Gardens that you can see today.
