Woolrich, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Woolrich, Pennsylvania
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Unincorporated community
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Factory c. 1887
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 Woolrich, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Woolrich, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Clinton |
| Township | Pine Creek |
| Established | 1834 |
| Elevation | 725 ft (221 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP |
17779
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| Area code(s) | 570 and 272 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1191785 |
Woolrich (pronounced WUUL-ritch) is a small community in Pine Creek Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is an unincorporated community, meaning it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Its elevation is 725 feet (221 meters) above sea level.
Woolrich is known as a "company town." This means the community grew up around a single large business. In this case, it's the home of Woolrich, Inc., a famous family-owned clothing company.
Contents
The Story of Woolrich
The Woolrich company was started in 1830 by John Rich and Daniel McCormick. They first set up a mill on Little Plum Run. This was in a nearby area called Dunnstable Township.
Moving to a New Location
By 1834, Rich and McCormick decided to move their business. They needed a better supply of water for their mills. They found a good spot at Chatham's Run in Pine Creek Township. They bought 300 acres of land there.
First, they built a sawmill. Around 1845, the company moved its main operations to a new wool mill at this location. By then, John Rich was the only owner of the company. The original 1845 mill building is no longer there. However, the company's main operations are still on that same spot today.
How the Town Got Its Name
The town around the factory had a few different names over the years. It was first called Factoryville. Later, it was known as Richville, named after John Rich. Finally, after 1888, it was officially named Woolrich.
Woolrich and the Lumber Industry
John Rich began his business by selling wool to lumberjacks. These were people who cut down trees in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. He also sold wool to their families. The wool was used to make warm clothing and socks for the lumberjacks.
Lumber was a very important industry in this region. It was the main way many people earned money. The woolen mill started by John Rich was one of many businesses that supported the growing lumber industry.
Woolrich Products Today
Today, Woolrich Inc. still makes blankets and fabric at its local factory. Even though they don't make all their clothes there anymore, their products are still very important. For example, some of their fabrics are used by the U.S. military.
In 2014, Woolrich Inc. worked with a brewery called Dogfish Head. They created a special beer made from pine trees. The beer's logo even featured Woolrich's famous black-and-red checkered pattern!
Famous People from Woolrich
Robert F. Rich was born in Woolrich. He was an important person who led the Woolrich company for many years. He was also a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He served in Congress for 18 years between 1931 and 1951.
