Mount Union, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Union, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Shirley and Jefferson Streets, downtown, in 1990
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| Nickname(s):
Bricktown USA
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Location of Mount Union in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.
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 Mount Union, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Mount Union, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Huntingdon |
| Settled | 1849 |
| Incorporated | 1867 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.24 sq mi (3.20 km2) |
| • Land | 1.16 sq mi (3.00 km2) |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2) 2.59% |
| Elevation | 610 ft (190 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,308 |
| • Density | 1,991.37/sq mi (768.62/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Zip code |
17066
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| Area code(s) | 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-51984 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1215274 |
| Website | www.mtunionpa.org |
Mount Union is a small town, called a borough, located in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It's about 44 miles (71 km) southeast of Altoona and 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Huntingdon, right by the Juniata River. The area around Mount Union has natural resources like bituminous coal, a special rock called ganister, and fire clay. A large factory that makes Easter grass is located in the northern part of the borough. In 2020, about 2,308 people lived in Mount Union.
Contents
History of Mount Union
Mount Union's past was greatly shaped by its many industries. For a while, it was the world's biggest maker of refractory materials, which are special materials that can handle very high heat, like the bricks used in furnaces. There were three large plants in town that made these "silica bricks" from 1899 until around 1972.
Early Industries and Factories
Besides brick making, Mount Union also had other important businesses. These included:
- Two tanneries, which processed animal hides into leather.
- A plant that made tanning extract, used in the tanning process.
- Coal yards, where coal was stored and prepared.
- An explosives and munitions (ammunition) plant called Aetna.
- Foundries and machine shops, where metal was melted and shaped into parts.
The East Broad Top Railroad
Mount Union was also a key stop for the East Broad Top Railroad. This was a special narrow-gauge railway that connected to the main Pennsylvania Railroad line. The East Broad Top Railroad had a big yard in Mount Union where coal was cleaned. It supplied coal to the brick factories. The railroad stopped running in 1956, but its tracks are still there.
Mount Union Historic District
The Mount Union Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This means it's recognized for its important historical buildings and homes. There are 300 such structures in the district. The town's population grew a lot in the early 1900s, from 1,086 people in 1900 to 3,338 in 1910.
Mount Union Today
Today, Mount Union is home to several interesting places and activities.
Outdoor Adventures and Festivals
- The famous Thousand Steps of the Standing Stone Trail are located nearby in the Jacks Narrows. This is a popular spot for hikers.
- The annual Creation Festival, a large music event, was held close by in Shirleysburg from 1984 to 2022. It brought thousands of visitors to the area every June.
Community Support and Housing
- Mount Union is the location of the Pennsylvania Lions Beacon Lodge Camp. This is a summer camp that started in 1948 for people with visual impairments and special needs.
- The town has several housing developments that help provide affordable places to live. These include Hartman Village, Chestnut Terrace, and Taylor Apartments, which is a seven-story building for senior citizens.
Local Businesses
Mount Union continues to have active industries:
- Bleyers Industries makes plastic products.
- Containment Solutions creates large tanks, often used for gas stations.
- Bonney Forge manufactures steel valves and fittings.
Bleyers Industries is located within the borough, while Bonney Forge and Containment Solutions are just outside, near the Riverview Business Center.
Geography of Mount Union
According to the United States Census Bureau, Mount Union covers a total area of about 1.2 square miles (3.2 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 1.1 square miles (3.0 square kilometers), is land. The remaining small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.20 square kilometers), is water.
Education in Mount Union
Students in Mount Union have access to different types of education.
Vocational and Technical Training
- The Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center offers special training for jobs and careers. It is shared with other school districts in the county.
Public Schools
- The Mount Union Area School District serves the community.
- Mount Union Area Senior High School
- Mount Union Area Junior High School
- Shirley Township Elementary School
- Kister Elementary School
Public Services
Mount Union provides important services to its residents.
Emergency Services
- The Mount Union Borough has its own police department, with about a dozen officers, who help keep the community safe.
- The Mount Union Volunteer Fire Department helps with fires, rescues, and ambulance services for the borough and Shirley Township. They have several ambulances, fire engines, a ladder truck, a brush truck, and a boat.
Other Services
- Mount Union Post Office handles mail services.
- The Mount Union Community Library provides books and resources for everyone.
Non-profit Organizations
Several non-profit groups work to improve the community:
- Kiwanis Club of the Mount Union Area
- Allenport Lions Club
- Mount Union Area Food Pantry
Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 535 | — | |
| 1880 | 764 | 42.8% | |
| 1890 | 810 | 6.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,086 | 34.1% | |
| 1910 | 3,338 | 207.4% | |
| 1920 | 4,744 | 42.1% | |
| 1930 | 4,892 | 3.1% | |
| 1940 | 4,763 | −2.6% | |
| 1950 | 4,690 | −1.5% | |
| 1960 | 4,091 | −12.8% | |
| 1970 | 3,662 | −10.5% | |
| 1980 | 3,101 | −15.3% | |
| 1990 | 2,878 | −7.2% | |
| 2000 | 2,504 | −13.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,447 | −2.3% | |
| 2020 | 2,308 | −5.7% | |
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In 2000, there were 2,504 people living in Mount Union. The population density was about 2,221.6 people per square mile (857.8 people per square kilometer).
Population Breakdown
- About 25.6% of the population was under 18 years old.
- About 18.5% of the population was 65 years or older.
- The average age in Mount Union was 38 years.
Income Information
- The average yearly income for a household in Mount Union was $21,048.
- For families, the average yearly income was $30,582.
- About 28.6% of the total population lived below the poverty line. This included 50.0% of those under 18 and 17.9% of those 65 or older.
Images for kids
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Shirley and Jefferson Streets, downtown, in 1990
See also
In Spanish: Mount Union (Pensilvania) para niños
