Torpedo, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Torpedo
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| Etymology: nitroglycerin "torpedoes" used in the petroleum industry | |
 Torpedo
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Warren |
| Settled | ~1845 |
| Elevation | 1,391 ft (424 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
16340
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Torpedo is a small village in Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in Warren County. This village has a very interesting and unusual name! It got its name from a special kind of "torpedo" used a long time ago in oil wells. These torpedoes contained a powerful and unstable liquid called nitroglycerin.
The Story of Torpedo
Torpedo was first settled around 1845. This happened after a mill was built there. That first mill closed about 10 to 12 years later. A new lumber mill opened in the village between 1875 and 1876.
How Torpedo Got Its Name
The village got its unique name during the winter of 1882 or 1883. A horse-drawn wagon was carrying about 880 pounds (400 kg) of nitroglycerin "torpedoes." These were on their way to a place called Clarendon.
The wagon got stuck on some railroad tracks. One of the horses tripped and fell. The driver knew a passenger train was coming soon. He tried to free the horse but could not. So, he unhitched the other horse and moved it to a safe distance.
The driver began to unload the torpedoes from the wagon. Just then, the train came around the bend. The train's brakes were put on, but it still hit the fallen horse. The horse was badly injured. The wagon with the torpedoes tipped over. Luckily, the nitroglycerin did not explode! This was because the wagon was stuck deep in the mud. No one on the train was hurt. After this exciting event, the village became known as Torpedo.
Where is Torpedo?
Torpedo is located on Pennsylvania Route 27. It is about 15 miles (24 km) north of Pleasantville. It is also about 7 miles (11 km) south of U.S. Route 6.
