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Littlestown, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Littlestown, Pennsylvania
Borough
Pavillon in Crouse Park
Pavillon in Crouse Park
Official seal of Littlestown, Pennsylvania
Seal
Motto(s): 
We're growing, one neighbor at a time
Location in Adams County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Location in Adams County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Littlestown, Pennsylvania is located in Pennsylvania
Littlestown, Pennsylvania
Littlestown, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Littlestown, Pennsylvania is located in the United States
Littlestown, Pennsylvania
Littlestown, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Adams
Settled 1765
Incorporated 1864
Government
 • Type Borough Council
Area
 • Total 1.50 sq mi (3.89 km2)
 • Land 1.50 sq mi (3.89 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
627 ft (191 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 4,782
 • Density 3,181.64/sq mi (1,228.55/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip Code
17340
Area codes 717 and 223
FIPS code 42-43944

Littlestown is a small town, also known as a borough, located in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. In 2020, about 4,782 people lived there.

The town was first planned by Peter Klein in 1760. It was originally called Petersburg. German settlers in the area had their own name for it: Kleine Stedtle, which means "Little Town" in German. In 1795, to avoid confusion with another town also named Petersburg, the name was officially changed to Littlestown. This was an English translation of its German nickname.

Geography and Location

Littlestown is found at specific coordinates: 39°44′37″N 77°5′21″W. The U.S. Census Bureau says the borough covers about 1.6 square miles (4.1 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the borough.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Littlestown is close to three larger towns. These include Hanover and Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. It is also near Westminster, Maryland. All these towns are within a 20-mile (32-kilometer) drive.

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in Littlestown has changed quite a bit over the years. Here's a look at how the population has grown:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 394
1860 702 78.2%
1870 847 20.7%
1880 913 7.8%
1890 991 8.5%
1900 1,118 12.8%
1910 1,347 20.5%
1920 1,552 15.2%
1930 2,001 28.9%
1940 2,463 23.1%
1950 2,635 7.0%
1960 2,756 4.6%
1970 3,026 9.8%
1980 2,870 −5.2%
1990 2,974 3.6%
2000 3,947 32.7%
2010 4,434 12.3%
2020 4,782 7.8%
Sources:

In 2000, there were 3,947 people living in Littlestown. The town has grown over time. Many people who live in Littlestown now travel to work in bigger cities. These cities include Baltimore, Harrisburg, and York. This means Littlestown is becoming a "bedroom community."

Education in Littlestown

Students in Littlestown attend schools within the Littlestown Area School District.

Littlestown, PA, town sign
Welcome to Littlestown, PA

The school district has three main buildings for different age groups:

  • Alloway Creek Elementary: This school is for younger students, from kindergarten to 5th grade.
  • Maple Avenue Middle School: This school serves students in grades 6 through 8.
  • Littlestown High School: This is for older students, covering grades 9 through 12. The high school sports teams are known as the Thunderbolts!

Parks and Recreation

Littlestown has nice places for people to relax and play. The borough is home to two main parks:

  • Littlestown Community Park
  • Crouse Park
LittlestownHistoryPlaza2
The Littlestown History Plaza

Famous People from Littlestown

Several notable individuals have connections to Littlestown:

  • George Peter Deisert: A talented artist known for his "fraktur" folk art.
  • Joseph A. Goulden: A Congressman who served in the United States government.
  • James McSherry: Another Congressman from the area.
  • Myrtle Louise Stonesifer- King: A stage actress, writer, and dancer.
  • James W. C. Pennington: An important figure who escaped slavery and became a leader.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Littlestown para niños

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