Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mechanicsburg
Borough
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  "A good place to live since 1828"
Location of Mechanicsburg in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Mechanicsburg Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Mechanicsburg Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Cumberland
Settled	1806
Incorporated	1828
Government
• Type	Borough Council
Area
• Total	2.41 sq mi (6.25 km2)
• Land	2.41 sq mi (6.24 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	446 ft (136 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,311
• Density	3,861.88/sq mi (1,491.39/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	17055, 17050
Area code(s)	717
FIPS code	42-48376

Mechanicsburg is a small town, called a borough, located in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is about eight miles (13 km) west of Harrisburg, the capital city of Pennsylvania. Mechanicsburg is part of the larger Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan area. In 2020, about 9,311 people lived there.

Geography of Mechanicsburg

Mechanicsburg is found in the eastern part of Cumberland County. It sits in a very fertile farming area known as the Cumberland Valley. This valley is a wide space between two mountain ranges: South Mountain and the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians.

Nearby Towns and Roads

Mechanicsburg shares borders with several other townships. To the northwest is Silver Spring Township. To the southwest, you'll find Monroe Township. Upper Allen Township is to the south, and Lower Allen Township is to the east. Finally, Hampden Township is to the northeast.

The main road running east to west through Mechanicsburg is Pennsylvania Route 641 (Trindle Road). This road goes east about 4 miles (6 km) to Camp Hill. It also goes west about 10 miles (16 km) to Carlisle, which is the main town for the county. Another important road, Pennsylvania Route 114, goes north and south through the town.

Interstate 76, also known as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, passes just south of Mechanicsburg. You can get onto this highway from Exit 236, which connects to U.S. Route 15.

Climate and Area

The borough covers a total area of about 2.41 square miles (6.25 km²). Only a tiny part of this area, about 0.07%, is water. Mechanicsburg has a hot-summer humid continental climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and cold winters. Average monthly temperatures range from about 29.9 °F (−1.2 °C) in January to 74.8 °F (23.8 °C) in July.

People and Population in Mechanicsburg

Over the years, the number of people living in Mechanicsburg has grown. In 1900, there were 3,841 residents. By 1940, the population had increased to 5,709. The most recent count in 2020 showed 9,311 people living in the borough.

In 2000, there were 9,042 people living in Mechanicsburg. Most residents were White, with smaller percentages of African American, Asian, and other groups. About 25.7% of households had children under 18. The average age of people in the borough was 39 years old.

The typical income for a household in Mechanicsburg in 2000 was $45,200. For families, the median income was $54,228. A small number of families and individuals lived below the poverty line.

History of Mechanicsburg

Mechanicsburg got its name from the skilled workers who settled there in the early 1800s. These "mechanics" built and fixed Conestoga wagons, which were large wagons used for travel and carrying goods.

The Railroad's Impact

In 1837, the Cumberland Valley Railroad (CVRR) built its train line through Mechanicsburg. The town became an important stop where trains could get water and firewood. This helped the town grow a lot. The railroad connected Mechanicsburg to the wider world of business and industry. Many businesses, like grain companies and lumber yards, were built near the train tracks.

In the past, as many as twenty-five trains would pass through Mechanicsburg every day. They carried people, coal, mail, and newspapers. During the American Civil War, the railroad was very important for moving soldiers and supplies. Today, fewer trains pass through, but the railroad still plays a role in the town's history and development.

Naval Support Activity

Another big part of Mechanicsburg's growth came from the building of the Naval Support Activity. This large military base was built on 840 acres (340 ha) of land nearby. Today, NSA Mechanicsburg is still a major site for the Defense Department's logistics, which means it helps manage supplies and operations.

Early Names of the Town

Before it officially became a borough on April 12, 1828, Mechanicsburg had a few different names. It was sometimes called Drytown because water was hard to find in winter and summer. It was also known as Pinchgut, a funny German name for a small village. Some people called it Staufferstown, after Henry Stauffer, who owned a lot of land in the town center. Briefly, during the Colonial Era, it was known as Creekville.

Civil War and Historic Buildings

On June 28, 1863, during the American Civil War, Confederate troops led by General Albert G. Jenkins raided Mechanicsburg. Two days later, they met Union forces in a small fight called the Skirmish of Sporting Hill, just east of town. After this skirmish, the Confederate forces moved south to Gettysburg, where the famous Battle of Gettysburg was fought.

The oldest building in Mechanicsburg is the Frankeberger Tavern. In 1801, George Frankeberger opened his log home as a place for travelers to rest. He offered meals and a place to sleep for a small fee. This was a good business because many people traveled between Harrisburg and Carlisle.

Mechanicsburg is also home to many other historic sites. One is Irving Female College, named after Washington Irving. It was the first women's college in Pennsylvania to give out degrees in arts and sciences. Several buildings and areas in Mechanicsburg are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important historical sites. These include the Mechanicsburg Commercial Historic District, Irving Female College, and the Cumberland Valley Railroad Station and Station Master's House.

Places to Visit in Mechanicsburg

• Liberty Forge Arboretum
• Williams Grove Speedway
• Union Church
• Stationmaster's House
• Frankeberger Tavern
• Hall's Tower

Education in Mechanicsburg

The local school district for the borough is the Mechanicsburg Area School District. This district runs the Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School, which is located right in Mechanicsburg.

Messiah University is a college located in nearby Upper Allen Township.

It's important to know that Cumberland Valley High School is in Silver Spring Township, even though it has a Mechanicsburg mailing address. That school district does not cover Mechanicsburg borough itself.

Famous People from Mechanicsburg

Many interesting people have come from Mechanicsburg:

• Shawn Abner – a former professional baseball player.
• Bobby Dall and Bret Michaels – musicians, famous members of the band Poison.
• Shane Gillis – a comedian.
• Luke Matheny – an Academy Award-winning director, actor, and writer.
• Jon Ritchie – a former professional football player.
• Rikki Rockett – a musician, drummer for the band Poison.
• Scump – a former professional eSports player.
• Andrew Kevin Walker – a screenwriter.
• Bobby Warshaw – a retired professional soccer player.

Images for kids

• 

  Location of Mechanicsburg in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

See also

In Spanish: Mechanicsburg (Pensilvania) para niños