Loyalsock Township, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
  From top: Golden Strip; Railroad bridge over Loyalsock Creek | |
| Nicknames: Sock Township, Sock, The Sock | |
 Location within Lycoming County | |
  Loyalsock Township Loyalsock Township (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:41°16′34″N76°59′10″W / 41.276°N 76.986°W /41.276; -76.986 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Pennsylvania |
| County | Lycoming |
| Settled | 1768; 257 years ago (1768) |
| Incorporated | 1786 |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.49 sq mi (55.67 km2) |
| • Land | 21.15 sq mi (54.78 km2) |
| • Water | 0.34 sq mi (0.89 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,719 ft (524 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 11,561 |
| • Density | 527/sq mi (203.5/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT |
| Area code | 570 |
| FIPS code | 42-081-45224 |
| Website | www |
Loyalsock Township is atownship inLycoming County,Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,561 at the2020 census.[2] It is part of theWilliamsportMetropolitan Statistical Area. It is the second largestmunicipality in Lycoming County, in terms of population, behind the county seat, Williamsport.
The township was settled in 1768 and incorporated in 1786. It is located on the north bank of theWest Branch Susquehanna River. Native American artifacts can be commonly found in parks near the West Branch.Archaeologists have found over 1,500 pieces of Native Americanpottery,weaponry and other artifacts, some being displayed in collections inPhiladelphia,Pittsburgh, andNew York City. Most can be found at local museums in nearby Williamsport.
Loyalsock Township was formed fromMuncy Township in February 1786 by theNorthumberland County court. This was nine years prior to the formation of Lycoming County. The township was originally bounded by the West Branch Susquehanna River to the south,Loyalsock Creek to the east, andLycoming Creek to the west.[3]
In theAmerican Revolutionary War, settlements throughout the Susquehanna valley and what was to become Loyalsock Township were attacked byLoyalists and Native Americans allied with the British. After theWyoming Valley battle and massacre in the summer of 1778 (near what is nowWilkes-Barre) and smaller local attacks, the "Big Runaway" occurred throughout the West Branch Susquehanna valley. Settlers fled fearing more attacks by the British and their allies. Homes and fields were abandoned, with livestock driven along and a few possessions floated on rafts on the river east toMuncy, then further south toSunbury. The abandoned property was burnt by the attackers. Some settlers soon returned, only to flee again in the summer of 1779 in the "Little Runaway".Sullivan's Expedition helped stabilize the area and encouraged resettlement, which continued after the war.[3]
Isaac and William McKinney, father and son, built the McKinney Iron Works along Lycoming Creek in western Loyalsock Township between 1825 and 1830, when they built aforge, in an area known as Heshbon Park. Their operation was expanded in 1836 with the construction of aniron furnace and further still in 1841 when arolling mill was added to the complex.Iron ore was transported fromCentre County down theWest Branch Susquehanna Valley and up Lycoming Creek to the iron works. The McKinneys' effort was ultimately unsuccessful. The efforts of two more iron masters also failed. The iron works was largely destroyed by a flood in 1865.
Daniel Hughes was a conductor in theUnderground Railroad based in Loyalsock Township. He was the owner of abarge on thePennsylvania Canal and transportedlumber from Williamsport down the West Branch and main stem of theSusquehanna River toHavre de Grace, Maryland.[4] Hughes hid runaway slaves in the hold of his barge on his return trip up the Susquehanna to Lycoming County, where he provided shelter on his property near the Loyalsock Township border with Williamsport before they moved further north and to eventual freedom inCanada.[5] Hughes' home was located in a hollow or small valley in the mountains just north of Williamsport. This hollow is now known as "Freedom Road", having previously been called "Nigger Hollow".[5] In response to the actions of concerned African American citizens of Williamsport, thepejorative name was formally changed by the Williamsport City Council in 1936.[4]
Today, the floodplain between Williamsport andMontoursville is densely populated with family residences and a shopping district known as the "Golden Strip" along East Third Street. The northern and western parts of the township are less heavily populated but still there are many family homes and small businesses. The population of Loyalsock Township has grown to 11,026 as of the 2010 census, up from 10,876 at the 2000 census.
Loyalsock Township is in south-central Lycoming County and is bordered byMontoursville to the southeast,Fairfield Township to the east, andUpper Fairfield Township to the northeast. These eastern borders are formed byLoyalsock Creek, which joins theWest Branch Susquehanna River at the township's southeastern corner. The township is bordered by the West Branch of the Susquehanna River andWilliamsport to the south (withArmstrong Township south of the river).Lycoming Creek forms the western border of the township, withOld Lycoming Township across the creek. The townships ofHepburn andEldred form the northern border. The most densely settled part of the township is in the south, comprising the unincorporated communities ofFaxon to the west andKenmar to the east.
The township is 85 miles (137 km) north ofHarrisburg, the state capital, 160 miles (260 km) northwest ofPhiladelphia, 65 miles (105 km) west ofWilkes-Barre, and 77 miles (124 km) south ofElmira, New York.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 21.5 square miles (55.7 km2), of which 21.2 square miles (54.8 km2) are land and 0.3 square miles (0.9 km2), or 1.60%, are water.[1]
| Climate data forWilliamsport Regional Airport, Pennsylvania (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1895–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 70 (21) | 71 (22) | 87 (31) | 96 (36) | 96 (36) | 104 (40) | 106 (41) | 103 (39) | 102 (39) | 93 (34) | 83 (28) | 70 (21) | 106 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 34.2 (1.2) | 38.0 (3.3) | 47.9 (8.8) | 60.9 (16.1) | 71.5 (21.9) | 79.7 (26.5) | 83.6 (28.7) | 81.6 (27.6) | 73.5 (23.1) | 62.0 (16.7) | 49.9 (9.9) | 38.1 (3.4) | 60.1 (15.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 19.3 (−7.1) | 21.4 (−5.9) | 28.6 (−1.9) | 38.9 (3.8) | 47.9 (8.8) | 57.6 (14.2) | 61.9 (16.6) | 60.7 (15.9) | 53.1 (11.7) | 41.5 (5.3) | 33.3 (0.7) | 24.3 (−4.3) | 40.7 (4.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −20 (−29) | −18 (−28) | −5 (−21) | 8 (−13) | 28 (−2) | 36 (2) | 43 (6) | 38 (3) | 28 (−2) | 19 (−7) | 3 (−16) | −15 (−26) | −20 (−29) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.70 (69) | 2.34 (59) | 2.97 (75) | 3.24 (82) | 3.66 (93) | 3.92 (100) | 4.34 (110) | 3.86 (98) | 4.16 (106) | 3.42 (87) | 3.74 (95) | 2.93 (74) | 41.28 (1,048) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 10.5 (27) | 8.8 (22) | 6.9 (18) | 1.1 (2.8) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 1.7 (4.3) | 6.9 (18) | 36.0 (91) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 11.0 | 9.7 | 11.5 | 11.6 | 13.3 | 11.9 | 11.4 | 10.3 | 10.0 | 10.3 | 11.0 | 10.8 | 132.8 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 7.4 | 5.6 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 5.3 | 23.9 |
| Source: NOAA[6][7] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 769 | — | |
| 1900 | 2,567 | 233.8% | |
| 1910 | 4,765 | 85.6% | |
| 1920 | 5,498 | 15.4% | |
| 1930 | 8,949 | 62.8% | |
| 1940 | 9,698 | 8.4% | |
| 1950 | 10,071 | 3.8% | |
| 1960 | 10,103 | 0.3% | |
| 1970 | 9,765 | −3.3% | |
| 1980 | 9,987 | 2.3% | |
| 1990 | 10,019 | 0.3% | |
| 2000 | 10,876 | 8.6% | |
| 2010 | 11,026 | 1.4% | |
| 2020 | 11,561 | 4.9% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 11,506 | [2] | −0.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] | |||
As of thecensus[9] of 2000, there were 10,876 people, 4,501 households, and 2,966 families residing in the township. The population density was 517.6 inhabitants per square mile (199.8/km2). There were 4,687 housing units at an average density of 223.1 per square mile (86.1/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 94.81%White, 2.64%African American, 0.13%Native American, 1.05%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.33% fromother races, and 1.03% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.86% of the population.
There were 4,501 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% weremarried couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the township the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 29.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 81.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $36,806, and the median income for a family was $47,952. Males had a median income of $39,623 versus $24,684 for females. Theper capita income for the township was $23,480. About 6.8% of families and 8.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
-Interstate 180The southern part of the township is crossed byInterstate 180, with two exits (Exits 25 and 23) into Loyalsock. I-180 leads west 4 miles (6 km) to its western terminus in Williamsport, and southeast 25 miles (40 km) toInterstate 80 nearMilton.U.S. Route 220 runs concurrently with I-180 through the township.
The township has multiple major roadways, most notably East Third Street, which begins in Williamsport to the west and ends at the township's eastern border withMontoursville, where the road name changes to Broad Street. Northway Road begins at Exit 25 off I-180 and continues north until it reaches the township's northern border. Four Mile Drive begins at the township's western border with Williamsport and stretches to Warrensville Road, near the eastern border, andLoyalsock Creek. Four Mile Drive has a mixture of commercial and residential properties, including Donald E. Schick Elementary School andDivine Providence Hospital.
Located in neighboring Montoursville isWilliamsport Regional Airport (KIPT/IPT). On 23 May 2024, Southern Airways Express (SAE) began regular passenger flights 7 days a week from Williamsport to Washington Dulles International Airport.
TheLycoming Valley Railroad runs along the West Branch Susquehanna River on the southern border of the township.
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loyalsock School District | 209 |
| 2 | Loyalsock Township | 189 |
| 3 | Liberty Mutual | 111 |
| 4 | Valley Farms Dairy | 83 |
| 5 | UPMC Susquehanna Divine Providence | 49 |
Loyalsock Township School District consists of ahigh school, middle school and elementary school. All schools in the district rank in the top 150 in the state in test scores and teacher preparedness.[citation needed]
The schools in the district are:
Former:
Alancer is the mascot for the school district. The school colors are maroon, white and Carolina blue. In 2008, 2013 and 2014, the boy's varsity baseball team won the PIAA AA State Championship. In 2021, the boy’s varsity basketball team won the PIAA Class AAA State Championship.[10]
Loyalsock does not have a police department. The township is policed by thePennsylvania State Police Troop F - Montoursville. Loyalsock School District does however have a police department, the Loyalsock Township School District Police Department, who protect the districts two school complexes during school hours.
Fire department coverage is provided by theLoyalsock Volunteer Fire Company, Lycoming County Station 18. It has anEMS department that staffs one Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) ambulance 24/7, a Basic Life Support ambulance intermittently during the week, and a third reserve Basic Life Support ambulance. Station 18 also provides fire and rescue. Loyalsock VFC houses the counties only Mobile Air unit. They have been in operation since 1925.
The following are notable people who were born, lived or currently reside within the township:
For histories of the other townships in Lycoming County see:
(Note: ISBN refers to Heritage Books July 1996 reprint. URL is to a scan of the 1892 version with someOCR typos).
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
Municipalities and communities ofLycoming County, Pennsylvania,United States | ||
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| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county | |
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