Corry, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Corry is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States
. With a population of 6,834 at the 2000 United States Census, it is the second largest city in Erie County
. Corry is a part of the Erie Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city became famous in the late-19th and early-20th centuries for being the manufacturer of Climax locomotive
s.
on March 12, 1800. On May 27, 1861, tracks owned by the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad
intersected with those of the Sunbury and Erie Railroad and was called the "Atlantic and Erie Junction". Land at the junction was owned by Hiram Cory, who sold a portion to the Atlantic annd Great Western in October 1861. The railroad constructed a ticket office at the junction and named it for Cory, but through a misspelling it became Corry.
The combination of railroad growth and the discovery of oil in nearby Titusville contributed greatly to Corry's development. This boomtown was chartered as a borough in 1863 and designated as a city in 1866. Industry has played a big part in Corry's growth, and the Corry Area Historical Society maintains a museum where one of the Climax locomotives (the steam engine used in logging operations that brought fame to Corry) is on display.
Corry has been named a Tree City USA
for seven consecutive years.
of 2000, there were 6,834 people, 2,660 households, and 1,763 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,120.5 people per square mile (432.6/km²). There were 2,868 housing units at an average density of 470.2 per square mile (181.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.19% White, 0.29% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races
, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Corry's population at 6,331 in 2009.
There were 2,660 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples
living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,967, and the median income for a family was $35,375. Males had a median income of $30,220 versus $22,127 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,143. About 14.2% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²), all of it land.
constitute the commission. The mayor serves as the president of the council. Scott M. Sanford is the mayor of the city of Corry. The other members of the Corry City Council are Thomas F. Lathorp, James A. Meyers, Pat Migliacio, and David A. Maryott. Tom Winchell is city treasurer and Diane L. Cowles is city controller
.
Corry is in Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district
and is currently represented in the United States House of Representatives
by Republican
Mike Kelly
, who was elected in 2010
. Republican Mary Jo White
of the 21st District
has represented Corry in the Pennsylvania State Senate
since 1997. Corry is contained by the 4th District
of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
and is represented by Democrat
Curt Sonney
.
, which operates a middle school, high school, four elementary schools, and a career and technical center. Higher education is locally available through the Corry branch of Mercyhurst College
, which offers advanced college credits for high school students and an associate degree in business administration. Adult education and training are offered through the Corry Higher Education Council.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. With a population of 6,834 at the 2000 United States Census, it is the second largest city in Erie County
Erie County, Pennsylvania
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 280,566. Its county seat is the City of Erie.- Geography :...
. Corry is a part of the Erie Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city became famous in the late-19th and early-20th centuries for being the manufacturer of Climax locomotive
Climax locomotive
A Climax locomotive is a type of geared steam locomotive in which the two steam cylinders were attached to a transmission located under the center of the boiler. This transmits power to driveshafts running to the front and rear trucks....
s.
History
Erie County was formed from parts of Allegheny CountyAllegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
on March 12, 1800. On May 27, 1861, tracks owned by the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad
Atlantic and Great Western Railroad
The Atlantic and Great Western Railroad began as three separate railroads: the Erie and New York City Railroad based in Jamestown, New York; the Meadville Railroad based in Meadville, Pennsylvania ; and the Franklin and Warren Railroad based in Franklin Mills, Ohio...
intersected with those of the Sunbury and Erie Railroad and was called the "Atlantic and Erie Junction". Land at the junction was owned by Hiram Cory, who sold a portion to the Atlantic annd Great Western in October 1861. The railroad constructed a ticket office at the junction and named it for Cory, but through a misspelling it became Corry.
The combination of railroad growth and the discovery of oil in nearby Titusville contributed greatly to Corry's development. This boomtown was chartered as a borough in 1863 and designated as a city in 1866. Industry has played a big part in Corry's growth, and the Corry Area Historical Society maintains a museum where one of the Climax locomotives (the steam engine used in logging operations that brought fame to Corry) is on display.
Corry has been named a Tree City USA
Tree City USA
Tree City USA is a tree planting and tree care program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for cities and towns in the United States.- Requirements :...
for seven consecutive years.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,834 people, 2,660 households, and 1,763 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,120.5 people per square mile (432.6/km²). There were 2,868 housing units at an average density of 470.2 per square mile (181.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.19% White, 0.29% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Corry's population at 6,331 in 2009.
There were 2,660 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,967, and the median income for a family was $35,375. Males had a median income of $30,220 versus $22,127 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,143. About 14.2% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
Geography and climate
Corry is located at 41°55′30"N 79°38′26"W (41.924947, -79.640511).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²), all of it land.
Government
The city of Corry is incorporated as a 3rd class city under Pennsylvania law. Third class cities are governed by a commission, in which the mayor and four other members of the city councilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
constitute the commission. The mayor serves as the president of the council. Scott M. Sanford is the mayor of the city of Corry. The other members of the Corry City Council are Thomas F. Lathorp, James A. Meyers, Pat Migliacio, and David A. Maryott. Tom Winchell is city treasurer and Diane L. Cowles is city controller
Comptroller
A comptroller is a management level position responsible for supervising the quality of accounting and financial reporting of an organization.In British government, the Comptroller General or Comptroller and Auditor General is in most countries the external auditor of the budget execution of the...
.
Corry is in Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district
Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district
Pennsylvania's third district is located in the northwestern part of the state and includes the cities of Erie, Sharon, Hermitage, Butler and Meadville....
and is currently represented in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Mike Kelly
Mike Kelly (Pennsylvania)
George Joseph "Mike" Kelly, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education, and pre-congressional career:...
, who was elected in 2010
United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2010
The 2010 congressional elections in Pennsylvania was held on November 2, 2010. Pennsylvania has nineteen seats in the United States House of Representatives. The election was held on the same day as many other PA elections, and the same day as House of Representatives elections in other states...
. Republican Mary Jo White
Mary Jo White (Pennsylvania politician)
Mary Jo White is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 21st District since 1997. White's term expires in 2012.-Education and career:...
of the 21st District
Pennsylvania Senate, District 21
Pennsylvania's 21st Senatorial district includes parts of Butler, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Venango And Warren Counties.Butler County* Allegheny Township* Brady Township* Butler Township* Butler* Center Township* Cherry Township* Clay Township...
has represented Corry in the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
since 1997. Corry is contained by the 4th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 4
The 4th District is an electoral district for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and is currently represented by Republican Curt Sonney. The district is located within Erie County and includes the following areas:* Amity Township* Concord Township...
of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
and is represented by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Curt Sonney
Curt Sonney
Curtis G. "Curt" Sonney is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 4th District made up of parts of Erie County. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Personal:During high school, Sonney attended classes at Erie County Vo-Tech...
.
Education
Corry is within the Corry Area School DistrictCorry Area School District
The Corry Area School District spans portions of three counties. In Crawford County it covers the Borough of Spartansburg and Sparta Township. In Erie County it covers the City of Corry, the Borough of Elgin and Concord Township and Wayne Township. In Warren County it covers Columbus Township and...
, which operates a middle school, high school, four elementary schools, and a career and technical center. Higher education is locally available through the Corry branch of Mercyhurst College
Mercyhurst College
Mercyhurst College is a Catholic liberal arts college in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.-History:On September 20, 1926, Mercyhurst College opened its doors just a few blocks away from the city's southern boundary. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy of the Erie Diocese, who were led by Mother M. Borgia...
, which offers advanced college credits for high school students and an associate degree in business administration. Adult education and training are offered through the Corry Higher Education Council.
Notable residents
- Emery BoppEmery BoppEmery Bopp was an artist and long-time chairman of the Division of Art, Bob Jones University.-Early life and education:...
, (1924–2007) artist - William Wallace BrownWilliam Wallace BrownWilliam Wallace Brown was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Biography:...
, (1836–1926) member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... - Ryan BuellRyan BuellRyan Daniel Buell is an American paranormal investigator, author and producer who founded the Paranormal Research Society when he was a 19-year-old student at Pennsylvania State University.-Early life:...
, (1982–) paranormalParanormalParanormal is a general term that designates experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation" or that indicates phenomena understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure...
investigator - Fred MarshFred MarshFred Francis Marsh was an American infielder in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Cleveland Indians, St...
, (1924–2006) Major League Baseball player - Charles F. RitchelCharles F. RitchelCharles Francis Ritchel, also known as C.F. Ritchel , was an American inventor of a successful dirigible design, the fun house mirror, a toy monkey bank and the holder of more than 150 patented inventions.-Dirigible:...
, (1840–1911) inventor - James Alexander RobertsonJames Alexander RobertsonJames Alexander Robertson was an American academic historian, archivist, translator and bibliographer. He is most noted for his contributions to the history and historiography of the Philippines and other former territorial possessions of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.-Life:James Alexander...
(1873–1939), academic historian, archivist and bibliographer. - Karen SmyersKaren SmyersKaren Smyers is a triathlete from the United States. She was inducted into the Triathlon Hall of Fame in January 2009.-External links:*...
, (1961–) triathlete