Hummelstown, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Fredrickstown
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Borough
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Hummelstown square
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| Motto(s):
Your Kind of Town
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Location in Dauphin County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
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 Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Dauphin |
| Settled | 1762 |
| Incorporated (borough) | 1874 |
| Government
There are 12 seats on the borough council
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| • Type | Borough Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.31 sq mi (3.39 km2) |
| • Land | 1.24 sq mi (3.22 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2) |
| Elevation | 397 ft (121 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,544 |
| • Density | 3,658.62/sq mi (1,412.46/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
17036
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| Area code(s) | 717 |
| FIPS code | 42-36232 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1213972 |
Hummelstown is a small town, called a borough, located in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 4,535 people lived there. It's part of the larger Harrisburg area.
The town was first called Fredrickstown and was started in 1762. Hummelstown is known as a "Tree City" because it cares about its trees. It sits right between the cities of Harrisburg and Hershey. This makes it a popular spot for tourists driving through the area. You'll find many shops and businesses that welcome visitors.
Contents
History of Hummelstown
Hummelstown was founded in 1762 by a German couple, Frederick and Rosina Hummel. They bought the land and then divided it into smaller pieces to sell to other German settlers. This is how the town began!
In the mid-1800s, the Union Canal was very important for the town. It ran along Swatara Creek and helped with trade and moving goods. Later, in 1858, the Lebanon Valley Railroad came to Hummelstown. These transportation links created many jobs, especially in stone cutting and shipyard work.
The Hummelstown Brownstone Company became the biggest employer in town. They mined a special type of stone called Hummelstown brownstone from 1867 to 1929. This company was the largest producer of brownstone on the East Coast!
Hummelstown has always been a convenient stop for travelers. Many people pass through on their way to Harrisburg, which is the capital of Pennsylvania. Others are heading to Hershey, famous for Hershey Foods, Hersheypark, and Chocolate World. The town has even hosted events for the Calder Cup, a big ice hockey trophy.
In 2012, Hummelstown celebrated its 250th birthday!
Several historic buildings in Hummelstown are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Dr. William Henderson House, the Keystone Hotel, the Enoch Matlack House, and the Zion Lutheran Church and Graveyard. The Hummelstown Historical Society is located in the original Zion Lutheran Church building. It has a library, a museum, and old Native American items like arrowheads and pottery.
Hummelstown has three historical markers. One marks the town's oldest church, another points to a former gun factory from the Revolutionary War, and the third honors the Hummelstown Brownstone Company.
Geography and Climate
Hummelstown is located in the southern part of Dauphin County. It sits about 397 feet (121 meters) above sea level. The town covers about 1.3 square miles (3.4 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but a small part is water.
Swatara Creek, which flows into the Susquehanna River, forms the northern and western edges of Hummelstown. There's also a small pond near the Hummel Nature Trail.
Weather in Hummelstown
The weather in Hummelstown is similar to Harrisburg's. In winter, temperatures can drop to about -5°F (-21°C). In summer, they can reach about 95°F (35°C).
Hummelstown doesn't get many tornadoes or hurricanes. A "bow tornado" hit in 1992. The town has been affected by a few hurricanes, with Hurricane Agnes being the most severe. It damaged two important bridges.
The town has also seen many blizzards. In 1996, there was 13 inches (33 cm) of snow. In 2010, a record-setting blizzard brought 21 inches (53 cm) of snow!
Roads and Travel
U.S. Route 322 runs along the south side of Hummelstown. U.S. Route 422 also starts just east of town. Hershey is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) east of Hummelstown, and Harrisburg is about 11 miles (18 km) to the west.
Main Street in Hummelstown connects to these larger roads. To the east, Main Street becomes PA Route 39 (Hersheypark Road). To the west, it joins U.S. Route 322.
Population and Homes
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 480 | — | |
| 1850 | 619 | 29.0% | |
| 1860 | 807 | 30.4% | |
| 1870 | 837 | 3.7% | |
| 1880 | 1,043 | 24.6% | |
| 1890 | 1,485 | 42.4% | |
| 1900 | 1,729 | 16.4% | |
| 1910 | 2,128 | 23.1% | |
| 1920 | 2,654 | 24.7% | |
| 1930 | 3,036 | 14.4% | |
| 1940 | 3,264 | 7.5% | |
| 1950 | 3,789 | 16.1% | |
| 1960 | 4,474 | 18.1% | |
| 1970 | 4,723 | 5.6% | |
| 1980 | 4,267 | −9.7% | |
| 1990 | 3,981 | −6.7% | |
| 2000 | 4,360 | 9.5% | |
| 2010 | 4,538 | 4.1% | |
| 2020 | 4,535 | −0.1% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 4,523 | −0.3% | |
| Sources: | |||
The median value of a house in Hummelstown is around $99,400. Many homes in Hummelstown are quite old, with a large number built before 1940.
Fun Things to Do
Yearly Events
- Movie Nights: Enjoy movies at the Herbert A. Schaffner Memorial Park.
- Taste of Hummelstown: A chance to try food from local restaurants along Main Street.
- The Hummelstown Arts Festival: Held every September, this festival raises money for scholarships for high school students who want to study art.
- Hummelstown Winter Fling: A January event with music, food, and drinks in the town square.
- Trick or Treat: On Halloween night, houses with their porch lights on from 6 PM to 8 PM welcome trick-or-treaters.
You can find more events on the Borough of Hummelstown website: Calendar of Events
Places to Visit
Hummelstown has a historical society building made from local brownstone. The Hummelstown Historical Society is both a museum and a visitor center.
The Warwick Hotel is another historical landmark. It's still a tavern today, just like it was before the Revolutionary War. It's even said that George Washington once stayed there!
Just south of Hummelstown are the Indian Echo Caverns. These caves were once used by the Susquehannock tribe, who lived in the area long ago. The caverns opened to the public in 1929 and are a popular attraction.
The Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad is a shortline that offers fun train rides. It runs between Middletown and just south of Hummelstown, stopping near the Indian Echo Caverns.
Around Town
In Hummelstown, you'll find an American Legion post, a borough office building, and a post office. Most of the town's churches are located on Main Street.
The Hummelstown Chemical Fire Department sometimes helps distribute Potassium Iodide pills. This is because Hummelstown is within 10 miles (16 km) of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, and these pills can help protect people in case of a nuclear emergency.
Religion
When Hummelstown was first settled, many people were Quakers. As the town grew, other Protestant groups like Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians also formed churches.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
Hummelstown has several parks where you can play and relax:
- Barry E. Mehaffie Memorial Park
- Herbert A. Schaffner Memorial Park
- Hummel Nature Trail
- Marion F. Alexander Memorial Park
- Shope's Field
Education in Hummelstown
Hummelstown is part of the Lower Dauphin School District. The Lower Dauphin High School, Lower Dauphin Middle School, Nye Elementary School, and the Price Building are all located within the borough. The school district's main office is also here.
Libraries
Hummelstown's public library is called the William H. and Marion C. Alexander Family Library. It's named after the generous people who donated money to it. The library is located at the corner of 2nd and Railroad Streets. It has over 27,000 books and has been open since 1953.
Media and News
Hummelstown is home to The Sun newspaper. This newspaper covers news for Hummelstown, Hershey, and the Palmyra area. The Sun started way back in 1871.
Other newspapers that cover Hummelstown include:
- The Patriot-News
- Central Penn Business Journal
Famous People from Hummelstown
Many interesting people have connections to Hummelstown:
- Kate Baer, a poet.
- Brian Baker, an actor.
- Terry Farrell, a model and actress.
- Bill Gaudette, a soccer player.
- Newt Gingrich, a former Speaker of the House (a very important political leader). He grew up in an apartment on Main Street.
- George M. Leader, a former governor of Pennsylvania.
- Laurel Martin, a field hockey player who played for the US Olympic Team.
- John D. Payne, a Republican member of the US House of Representatives.
- Alexander Ramsey, who became the second governor of Minnesota.
- William Simonton, a Whig member of the US House of Representatives.
- Bob Swank, a football coach.
- William K. Thierfelder, a psychologist.
- Chris Villarrial, an American football player.
- James M. Wallace, a member of the US House of Representatives.
- Richard Winters, a famous WWII veteran known from the "Band of Brothers" story.
Historic Buildings and Sites
Several buildings in Hummelstown are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning they are important historical sites:
- Dr. William Henderson House – 31 East Main Street
- Keystone Hotel – 40 East Main Street
- Enoch Matlack House – 250 East Main Street
- John Todd House – South Meadow Lane
- Zion Lutheran Church and Graveyard – Rosana Street, which is now home to the Hummelstown Historical Society
- Brownstone Station - 320 E 2nd St
Native American History
The area around Hummelstown was once home to several Native American tribes. These included the Susquehannocks and the powerful Iroquois. There were also smaller tribes that later joined or became part of the Iroquois.
See also
In Spanish: Hummelstown para niños
