Loretto, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loretto, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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The main house, cascades, and gardens of "Immergrün", Charles M. Schwab's retreat in Loretto
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Location of Loretto in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
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 Loretto, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Cambria |
| Settled | 1788 |
| Incorporated | 1845 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.98 sq mi (2.55 km2) |
| • Land | 0.98 sq mi (2.55 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,952 ft (595 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,196 |
| • Density | 1,215.45/sq mi (469.48/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
15940
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| Area code(s) | 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-44704 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1215028 |
Loretto is a small town, called a borough, located in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 1,196 people lived there. Loretto is also home to Saint Francis University, a well-known college.
Contents
Where is Loretto Located?
Loretto is found in the eastern part of Cambria County. It is about 6 miles (10 km) east of Ebensburg, which is the county seat. The city of Altoona is about 17 miles (27 km) to the west. Johnstown is located about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Loretto.
Loretto's Size and Land Area
The borough of Loretto covers a total area of about 0.98 square miles (2.5 square kilometers). All of this area is land. There are no large bodies of water within the borough limits.
Saint Francis University in Loretto
Saint Francis University is a big part of Loretto. This college is located in the southwestern section of the borough. It has many students, with an enrollment of over 2,200 young people.
Loretto's History
Loretto has an interesting past, especially for its role in early American settlement.
How Loretto Was Founded
Loretto was founded in 1799 by a man named Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin. He was a Catholic priest. His goal was to create the first English-speaking Catholic community west of the Allegheny Front mountains. He named the town after Loreto, Italy, which is a famous Catholic pilgrimage site.
Loretto was built next to an even older settlement. This original area was founded in 1788 by Captain Michael McGuire. He was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War. Captain McGuire generously gave land to the Catholic Church. On this land, Prince Gallitzin built St. Michael's Church in 1799. This church is now known as the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel.
Loretto's Population Over Time
The number of people living in Loretto has changed quite a bit over the years. Here's a look at how the population has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 193 | — | |
| 1860 | 256 | 32.6% | |
| 1870 | 280 | 9.4% | |
| 1880 | 280 | 0.0% | |
| 1890 | 236 | −15.7% | |
| 1900 | 240 | 1.7% | |
| 1910 | 246 | 2.5% | |
| 1920 | 422 | 71.5% | |
| 1930 | 352 | −16.6% | |
| 1940 | 504 | 43.2% | |
| 1950 | 863 | 71.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,338 | 55.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,661 | 24.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,395 | −16.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,072 | −23.2% | |
| 2000 | 1,190 | 11.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,302 | 9.4% | |
| 2020 | 1,196 | −8.1% | |
| Sources: | |||
Notable People from Loretto
Loretto has been home to some important individuals.
- Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin: He was the founder of Loretto and a key figure in the Catholic Church in the Allegheny region. He is sometimes called the "Apostle of the Alleghenies."
- Charles M. Schwab: A very famous industrialist, meaning he was a leader in big industries like steel. He had a large retreat, or country home, in Loretto called "Immergrün."
See also
In Spanish: Loretto (Pensilvania) para niños
