Heckton, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Heckton, Pennsylvania
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 Heckton, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Dauphin |
| Township | Middle Paxton |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Heckton is an unincorporated community in Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania near the east bank of the Susquehanna River, north of Fort Hunter. It is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States.
It was named for Dr. Lewis Heck (b.1810 – 26 Aug 1890 Heckton). Reared in Shippensburg, Dr. Heck settled here in 1832. He practiced medicine and served as a Representative in the Pennsylvania General Assembly during the American Civil War. He also operated a large steam sawmill nearby from 1843 until 1890 and that specific area was known as Heckton Mills. By 1899 the entire little community was known as Heckton.
U.S. Routes 22 and 322 pass through Heckton as a four-lane expressway close to the Susquehanna River, with full access from PA 443 (Fishing Creek Valley Road). US 22/322 leads south about 6.6 miles (11 km) to Harrisburg and northwest about 1.3 miles (2 km) to the borough of Dauphin.
Years ago, Heckton could be reached by travelling N Front Street/River Road (Old 22) about 6.2 miles (10 km) from Harrisburg to Heckton Road. But Heckton Road was bisected when U.S. Routes 22 and 322 were expanded to a limited access expressway. So the Heckton Cemetery (old Riverview Cemetery) and Cemetery Road which parallels US 22/322 can be accessed from PA 443, just northeast of the US 22/322 interchange.
The historic Heckton Church was erected in 1885 for use by Methodists. In 2009, it was moved by Fort Hunter Mansion and Park to its current location at 5264 North Front Street. The church is available for weddings.
