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Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Tobyhanna
Tobyhanna, PA.jpg
Etymology: Topi-hanne, Delaware for "alder streams"
Motto(s): 
Where God kisses the mountains
Tobyhanna is located in Pennsylvania
Tobyhanna
Tobyhanna
Location in Pennsylvania
Tobyhanna is located in the United States
Tobyhanna
Tobyhanna
Location in the United States
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)
 • Total 6,152
 • Density 116.52/sq mi (44.99/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
18466
Area code(s) 570 Exchanges: 894,839

Tobyhanna is an unincorporated community in Coolbaugh Township in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States. Despite its name, it is not located in Tobyhanna Township.

History

"Tobyahanna" is derived from an American Indian word meaning Toby-"Dark Water"Hanna-"a stream whose banks are fringed with alder."

From about 1900 to 1936, Tobyhanna lakes were the site of active ice industries. The ice was cut from the lakes during the winter and stored in large barn-like structures. During the rest of the year, the ice was added to railroad boxcars hauling fresh produce and meats destined for East Coast cities.

In 1912, Tobyhanna had a railway station, telegraph, and post office. The federal government acquired land within Tobyhanna that became the Tobyhanna Military Reservation, later Tobyhanna Army Depot, which was used as an Artillery training ground. Edward B. Reed, in The Field Artillery Journal (January–March 1917), described Tobyhanna based on his experiences with the Yale Batteries during their training:

"The camp at Tobyhanna is on a rocky, treeless crest from which no trace of man is visible. About are mountains and uncultivated valleys. The village of Tobyhanna is interesting only because it contains a station that enables you to leave it. No better place for work could be found."

In recent years, due to its location between the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas and development of new homes, many families have moved to the Poconos. Some Tobyhanna residents choose to commute to the city via Interstate 380, Interstate 80, or Interstate 84.

Karl Bodmer Travels in America (4)
Forest scene on the Tobihanna, Alleghany Mountains (circa 1832): aquatint by Karl Bodmer from the book "Maximilian, Prince of Wied’s Travels in the Interior of North America, during the years 1832–1834"

Geography

The landscape of the area is of broad, flat areas intermixed with low hills covered with a northern hardwood forest. Common tree species are beech, birch, and maple.

Education

Two schools are located within Tobyhanna: Clear Run Elementary Center (CREC), which teaches Kindergarten through second grade, and Clear Run Intermediate School (CRIS), which generally houses students grades 3 through 6. The two schools share the Clear Run campus, which is located on Memorial Boulevard (PA-611). Tobyhanna schools are part of the Pocono Mountain School District.

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