Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tobyhanna
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| Etymology: Topi-hanne, Delaware for "alder streams" | |
| Motto(s):
Where God kisses the mountains
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 Tobyhanna
Location in Pennsylvania
Tobyhanna
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Monroe |
| Township | Coolbaugh Township |
| Established | 1830 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 52.8 sq mi (137 km2) |
| • Land | 50.4 sq mi (131 km2) |
| • Water | 2.4 sq mi (6 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,568 ft (478 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 6,152 |
| • Density | 116.52/sq mi (44.99/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
18466
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| Area code(s) | 570 |
Tobyhanna is a small community in Pennsylvania, USA. It's not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it's an unincorporated area, which means it's part of a larger area called Coolbaugh Township in Monroe County. Interestingly, even though it's called Tobyhanna, it's not actually located in Tobyhanna Township!
Contents
What's the History of Tobyhanna?
The name "Tobyhanna" comes from an old Native American word. It means "a stream whose banks are fringed with alder." Alder is a type of tree that grows near water.
Early Industries and Changes
In the late 1800s, Tobyhanna was a busy place for making things from wood. A company called Tobyhanna and Lehigh Lumber Company had a large lumber mill here. They also had a factory that made clothespins and another that made silk. This area was known as the Village of Tobyhanna Mills back then.
In September 1900, a man named N. S. Brittain bought most of the village. This included more than thirty homes and 120 acres of land. The lumber company sold the land because most of its trees had been cut down.
Around the same time, the Monroe Water Supply Company bought a very large piece of land, over 32,000 acres. The area was changing from a place that harvested wood to one that harvested ice.
The Ice Industry in Tobyhanna
From about 1900 to 1936, the lakes in Tobyhanna were important for the ice industry. During the cold winter months, workers would cut large blocks of ice from the frozen lakes. They stored this ice in big buildings that looked like barns.
For the rest of the year, this stored ice was used to keep food fresh. It was loaded into special railroad cars that carried fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. These goods were then sent to big cities on the East Coast.
Tobyhanna's Role in the Military
In 1912, Tobyhanna had a railway station, a telegraph office, and a post office. The United States government bought land in Tobyhanna to create a military training area. This area became known as the Tobyhanna Military Reservation, and later the Tobyhanna Army Depot. It was used to train soldiers in artillery.
Edward B. Reed, a writer, described Tobyhanna in 1917. He said it was a rocky, treeless place surrounded by mountains and valleys. He felt it was a great place for military training because there were no distractions.
Tobyhanna Today: A Growing Community
In recent years, many families have moved to the Poconos, including Tobyhanna. This is because it's located between the big cities of New York and Philadelphia. New homes have also been built in the area.
Some people who live in Tobyhanna travel to the cities for work. They use major highways like Interstate 380, Interstate 80, or Interstate 84. Pennsylvania Route 611 also runs from Tobyhanna towards Pocono Township.
The train route that used to go east towards New York has not been used since the mid-1960s. However, there are plans to bring commuter trains back to Tobyhanna. This project, called the Lackawanna Cut-Off Restoration Project, aims to reduce traffic on the roads leading to New York City.
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What is Tobyhanna's Geography Like?
The land in Tobyhanna has wide, flat areas mixed with small hills. These areas are covered by a type of forest called a northern hardwood forest. The most common trees you'll find here are beech, birch, and maple trees.
What About Education in Tobyhanna?
Tobyhanna is home to two schools that are part of the Pocono Mountain School District. Both schools are located on the Clear Run campus, which is on Memorial Boulevard (PA-611).
- Clear Run Elementary Center (CREC): This school teaches younger students, from Kindergarten through second grade. It was built in 1997.
- Clear Run Intermediate School (CRIS): This school is for older elementary students, usually from third through sixth grade. It was built in 1995.
