Pine Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pine Township,
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania |
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Township
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Along Little Pine Creek in the township
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Map of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania highlighting Pine Township
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Map of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Lycoming |
| Settled | 1807 |
| Incorporated | 1857 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 75.07 sq mi (194.43 km2) |
| • Land | 74.74 sq mi (193.59 km2) |
| • Water | 0.33 sq mi (0.85 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,857 ft (566 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 260  |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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258 |
| • Density | 3.95/sq mi (1.52/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 42-081-60328 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1216769 |
Pine Township is a small community located in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. In 2020, about 260 people lived here. This number was a bit lower than in 2010. Pine Township is also part of the larger Williamsport area.
Contents
History of Pine Township
Pine Township was officially created on January 27, 1857. It was formed from parts of three other townships: Brown, Cummings, and Cogan House. The township was first going to be called "Kingston Township." This name came from the Kingston House, a building in a place called English Center. However, the name was changed to "Pine" to honor the many tall pine trees that once covered the area.
Nature's Impact on Pine Township
The land and rocks of Pine Township have greatly shaped its history. This area was once covered by huge sheets of ice during the most recent ice age. As these glaciers melted and moved, they carved out the land. They left behind unique features like bumpy hills called moraines and round holes called kettle holes. Some of these kettle holes are found at the top of hills. This created an unusual situation: a swamp located high up on a hill!
The glaciers also affected the soil. The land became rocky, which made it hard for farming. The township's steep hillsides also limited how much land could be used for crops. Because of this, trees grew very well in Pine Township.
The Lumber Era
In the mid-to-late 1800s, a big lumbering era happened across Pennsylvania. Many huge, old trees in Pine Township were cut down. These included large hemlock and pine trees. Workers floated these logs down Little Pine Creek and Pine Creek. They were sent to sawmills in Williamsport. After the lumbering era ended, new trees grew back. Today, a thriving second growth forest covers much of Pine Township.
Early Settlers and Schools
John Norris and his wife were among the first people to settle in Pine Township. They started a special school for girls in this wild area. It was called a "seminary." At the time, it was very rare to find a school for teenage girls in such a remote part of the country.
The English Settlement Story
A group of people tried to start a colony here called "English Settlement," but it didn't work out. A man named Reverend John Hey had a dream. He wanted to buy a lot of land in the wilderness and create a perfect community, a utopia. In 1805, Hey and some friends bought over 110,000 acres (about 44,800 hectares) of land.
Hey then went to England to convince people to move to his new colony. About fifteen families, mostly from a town called Chard, Somerset, agreed to come to Pine Township. But when they arrived, they did not find the paradise John Hey had described. Instead, they found a wild land with huge trees, rocks, and very rocky soil.
The English settlers were not ready for this. They had no experience clearing land for farming. Even the land they managed to clear was too rocky to grow crops well. The English Settlement was given up after only ten years. The people who survived moved to other nearby areas where the land was better for farming.
Villages of Pine Township
The villages of Oregon Hill and English Center were founded by some of the people who survived the failed English Settlement. Oregon Hill is located high up in the northern part of the township, at about 1,700 feet (518 meters) elevation. It had two churches, a blacksmith shop, two stores, and several homes. The settlers there were surprised to find that the land was fertile, unlike much of the surrounding area.
English Center, located along Little Pine Creek, was a town focused on milling. The English Center Suspension Bridge is an important landmark there. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Geography of Pine Township
Pine Township is located in the northern part of Lycoming County. To the north, it shares a border with Tioga County. To the east is Jackson Township, and to the southeast is Cogan House Township. On the southwest side, you'll find Cummings Township. To the west are McHenry and Brown townships.
Roads and Waterways
Pennsylvania Route 287 runs through Pine Township. This road goes north about 23 miles (37 km) to Wellsboro. It also goes south about 12 miles (19 km) to Salladasburg. Williamsport, which is the main town of Lycoming County, is about 29 miles (47 km) southeast. You can get there using PA-287 and U.S. Route 220.
Another road, Pennsylvania Route 284, starts near English Center. It goes northeast about 8 miles (13 km) to U.S. Route 15, also known as the Appalachian Thruway, in Jackson Township.
Pine Township covers a total area of about 75.07 square miles (194.4 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. Little Pine Creek flows through the middle of the township. It creates a deep valley, about 1,000 feet (305 meters) deep. Most of the township's water drains into this creek. Little Pine Creek starts in the eastern part of the township. It flows southwest through English Center and then joins Pine Creek in Cummings Township.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 294 | — | |
| 2020 | 260 | −11.6% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 258 | −12.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 329 people living in Pine Township. These people lived in 148 households, and 95 of these were families. The township had about 4.3 people per square mile. Most of the people living in the township were White, and a small number were Native American. A very small percentage were Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Age Groups
Out of the 148 households, about 19.6% had children under 18 living there. Most households, 57.4%, were married couples living together. About 27.7% of all households were individuals living alone. Many people, 16.9%, were 65 years old or older and lived by themselves. The average household had about 2.22 people.
The population was spread out across different age groups. About 15.8% were under 18 years old. About 25.2% were between 25 and 44 years old. Another 28.6% were between 45 and 64 years old. And 25.2% were 65 years or older. The average age in the township was 47 years old.
Income Information
In 2000, the average income for a household in Pine Township was $34,886 per year. For families, the average income was $36,111. Men generally earned more than women. The average income per person in the township was $16,938. About 4.0% of all people, and 2.1% of families, earned less money than the poverty line. This included about 7.8% of those under 18 years old.
