Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pen Argyl
Kleiberg
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Borough
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| Borough of Pen Argyl | ||
Pen Argyl in February 2013
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| Etymology: Pen, Cornish for "head;" or "end," Argyl, for "clay" (or slate) | ||
Location of Pen Argyl in Northampton County, Pennsylvania (left) and of Northampton County in Pennsylvania (right)
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 Pen Argyl
Location in Pennsylvania
Pen Argyl
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Pennsylvania |
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| County | Northampton | |
| Incorporated | 1882 | |
| Named for | Slate | |
| Area | ||
| • Borough | 1.39 sq mi (3.61 km2) | |
| • Land | 1.34 sq mi (3.48 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2) | |
| Elevation | 781 ft (238 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Borough | 3,510 | |
| • Density | 2,615.50/sq mi (1,009.58/km2) | |
| • Metro | 865,310 (US: 68th) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP Code |
18072
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| Area codes | 610 and 484 | |
| FIPS code | 42-58696 | |
| Primary airport | Lehigh Valley International Airport | |
| Major hospital | Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest | |
| School district | Pen Argyl Area | |
| Website | penargylborough.com | |
Pen Argyl is a small town, called a borough, located in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Its name comes from Cornish and Anglo-Saxon words meaning "head of slate." In 2020, about 3,510 people lived here.
Pen Argyl is about 26 miles north of Allentown. It's part of the larger Lehigh Valley area, which is home to many people.
Contents
History of Pen Argyl
In 1853, a man named Joseph Kellow found slate in the area around Pen Argyl. This discovery led to the creation of what is now known as the Slate Belt community. The town's name, Pen Argyl, combines the Cornish word Pen (meaning "head" or "end") and Argyl (meaning "clay" or "slate").
Many quarrymen from Cornwall and England moved to Pen Argyl, helping the town grow. Even today, there is still one slate quarry working in the area. Pen Argyl was also an important center for the Lehigh and New England Railroad, with its main freight yard and maintenance buildings located here. Some of these old railroad buildings can still be seen west of town.
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Pen Argyl has changed over the years. In 1900, there were 2,784 residents. By 1910, the population had grown to 3,967. The most recent count in 2020 showed 3,510 people living in the borough.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 572 | — | |
| 1890 | 2,108 | 268.5% | |
| 1900 | 2,784 | 32.1% | |
| 1910 | 3,967 | 42.5% | |
| 1920 | 4,096 | 3.3% | |
| 1930 | 4,310 | 5.2% | |
| 1940 | 4,059 | −5.8% | |
| 1950 | 3,878 | −4.5% | |
| 1960 | 3,693 | −4.8% | |
| 1970 | 3,668 | −0.7% | |
| 1980 | 3,388 | −7.6% | |
| 1990 | 3,492 | 3.1% | |
| 2000 | 3,615 | 3.5% | |
| 2010 | 3,595 | −0.6% | |
| 2020 | 3,510 | −2.4% | |
| Sources: | |||
Geography of Pen Argyl
Pen Argyl covers a total area of about 1.4 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a small part (less than 1%) being water. The borough is located at an elevation of 781 feet above sea level.
Transportation in Pen Argyl
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Pen Argyl has about 15.56 miles of public roads. Some of these roads are kept up by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and the rest are maintained by the borough itself.
The main highway that goes through Pen Argyl is Pennsylvania Route 512. This road, also known as Pennsylvania Avenue, Main Street, and Blue Valley Drive, runs through the center of the borough from southwest to northeast.
Education in Pen Argyl
The students in Pen Argyl are part of the Pen Argyl Area School District.
- Younger students, from kindergarten to third grade, go to Plainfield Elementary School.
- Students in grades four through eight attend Wind Gap Middle School.
- Older students, from ninth to twelfth grade, go to Pen Argyl Area High School.
Notable Places and Events
Pen Argyl is known for a few interesting things:
- Jayne Mansfield's Burial Site: The famous actress Jayne Mansfield is buried in Fairview Cemetery, which is just outside the borough. Her unique heart-shaped gravestone can be seen from the road.
- Weona Park Carousel: The town is home to the Weona Park Dentzel carousel, a historic ride that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Labor Day Parade: The Lookout Fire Company #1 in Pen Argyl hosts a fun annual Labor Day parade and carnival.
- Real English Foods: Pen Argyl is also where Real English Foods, Inc., the company that makes Mr. Pastie, is located.
Famous People from Pen Argyl
Many talented people have connections to Pen Argyl, including:
- Tripp Eisen, an industrial metal guitarist.
- Kristen Maloney, a former gymnast and Olympian.
- Jayne Mansfield, a well-known actress.
- Bob Parsons, a former professional football player for the Chicago Bears.
- Aldo Ray, a former actor.
- Tighe Scott, a former NASCAR and modified race car driver.
- Ryo Tokita, an artist.
See also
In Spanish: Pen Argyl para niños
