Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Mahanoy City is a borough located 50 miles (80.5 km) north by west of Reading
and 13 miles southwest of Hazleton, in northern Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
or the southern Coal Region
. The name "Mahanoy" is believed to be a variation of the Native American word 'Maghonioy', or "the salt deposits". Mahanoy Area School District
is also found within this borough and includes an elementary, middle school, and high school complex for students. The mascot is a golden bear and school colors are black and gold.
incidents. It is served by branches of the Lehigh Valley and the Philadelphia & Reading railways. The borough is situated in the valley of Mahanoy Creek, approximately 4 miles southeast of Shenandoah, PA and 11 miles northeast of Tamaqua, PA. Mahanoy City has an elevation of 1240 ft. above the sea; Broad Mountain (1795 ft), a ridge extending through Schuylkill county, overlooks it on the S.E. The valley is also part of the anthracite Coal Region
of Pennsylvania
, fire clay abounds in the vicinity, and the borough's principal industries are still the mining and shipping of coal although the demand for it has steadily declined since its peak in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Aside from coal, the manufacturing of shirts, bedding and foundry products is also fairly prominent.
In 1930 the St. Nicholas Coal Breaker
was built and went into operation in 1932. The now famous anthracite breaker was closed in 1963 yet still stands today.
In 1948, Mahanoy City became the first municipality in the country to have Cable TV.
The population in 1900 was 13,504 people; in 1910, 15,936 people; and in 1920, 15,599 people. The number of people working as coal miners had declined by 1940 when 13,442 people lived in the borough. The population was 4,647 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land.
http://home.epix.net/~lsqt/fmahanoycity.jpg
of 2000, there were 4,647 people, 2,113 households, and 1,210 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 9,060.8 people per square mile (3,518.1/km²). There were 2,595 housing units at an average density of 5,059.8 per square mile (1,964.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.79% White, 0.22% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.22% from other races
, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.
There were 2,113 households out of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples
living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 24.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $24,347, and the median income for a family was $32,033. Males had a median income of $29,628 versus $20,288 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $14,369. About 12.6% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
and 13 miles southwest of Hazleton, in northern Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
-Notable people:*Boxing heavyweight great Muhammad Ali had his training camp in Deer Lake.*Charles Justin Bailey, commanding general of the 81st Division in World War I, was born in Tamaqua on June 21, 1859....
or the southern Coal Region
Coal Region
The Coal Region is a term used to refer to an area of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the central Appalachian Mountains comprising Lackawanna, Luzerne, Columbia, Carbon, Schuylkill, Northumberland, and the extreme northeast corner of Dauphin counties....
. The name "Mahanoy" is believed to be a variation of the Native American word 'Maghonioy', or "the salt deposits". Mahanoy Area School District
Mahanoy Area School District
The Mahanoy Area School District is a public school district in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It serves the municipalties of Mahanoy City, Mahanoy Township, Delano Township, Ryan Township, and Gilberton. Mahanoy Area School District encompasses approximately 53 square miles. According to 2000...
is also found within this borough and includes an elementary, middle school, and high school complex for students. The mascot is a golden bear and school colors are black and gold.
History
Mahanoy City, originally a part of Mahanoy township was settled in 1859 and incorporated as a borough by decree of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Schuylkill County on December 16, 1863. The borough was a major center of anthracite production and the region was embroiled in the Molly MaguiresMolly Maguires
The Molly Maguires were members of an Irish-American secret society, whose members consisted mainly of coal miners. Many historians believe the "Mollies" were present in the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania in the United States from approximately the time of the American Civil War until a...
incidents. It is served by branches of the Lehigh Valley and the Philadelphia & Reading railways. The borough is situated in the valley of Mahanoy Creek, approximately 4 miles southeast of Shenandoah, PA and 11 miles northeast of Tamaqua, PA. Mahanoy City has an elevation of 1240 ft. above the sea; Broad Mountain (1795 ft), a ridge extending through Schuylkill county, overlooks it on the S.E. The valley is also part of the anthracite Coal Region
Coal Region
The Coal Region is a term used to refer to an area of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the central Appalachian Mountains comprising Lackawanna, Luzerne, Columbia, Carbon, Schuylkill, Northumberland, and the extreme northeast corner of Dauphin counties....
of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, fire clay abounds in the vicinity, and the borough's principal industries are still the mining and shipping of coal although the demand for it has steadily declined since its peak in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Aside from coal, the manufacturing of shirts, bedding and foundry products is also fairly prominent.
In 1930 the St. Nicholas Coal Breaker
St. Nicholas coal breakers
The St. Nicholas Coal Breakers were at one time the largest coal breaker in the world, producing 12,500 tons of coal per day.-History:The Old St. Nicholas Breaker, located just outside of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, was constructed in 1930 and began operating in 1932. Half of the village of Suffolk...
was built and went into operation in 1932. The now famous anthracite breaker was closed in 1963 yet still stands today.
In 1948, Mahanoy City became the first municipality in the country to have Cable TV.
The population in 1900 was 13,504 people; in 1910, 15,936 people; and in 1920, 15,599 people. The number of people working as coal miners had declined by 1940 when 13,442 people lived in the borough. The population was 4,647 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Mahanoy City is located at 40°48′45"N 76°8′25"W (40.812413, -76.140223).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 borough has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land.
http://home.epix.net/~lsqt/fmahanoycity.jpg
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 4,647 people, 2,113 households, and 1,210 families residing in the borough. 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 9,060.8 people per square mile (3,518.1/km²). There were 2,595 housing units at an average density of 5,059.8 per square mile (1,964.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.79% White, 0.22% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.22% 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 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.
There were 2,113 households out of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% 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 42.7% were non-families. 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 24.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $24,347, and the median income for a family was $32,033. Males had a median income of $29,628 versus $20,288 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 borough was $14,369. About 12.6% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- James Curvey, former President of Fidelity Investments
- Joe DuganJoe DuganJoseph Anthony Dugan , was an American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Jumping Joe", he played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop and third baseman from 1917 through 1931. Dugan played for the Philadelphia Athletics , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Boston Braves and Detroit...
(1897–1982), Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player, played in five World SeriesWorld SeriesThe World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
with the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - John Peter "Joe" Boley, a former professional baseball player who played shortstop in the major leagues from 1927-1932.
- Kevin C. RhoadesKevin C. RhoadesKevin Carl Rhoades is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the ninth Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, having served as Bishop of Harrisburg from 2004 to 2009.-Early life:...
(1957- ), ninth bishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of HarrisburgRoman Catholic Diocese of HarrisburgThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg covers 15 counties of South Central Pennsylvania: Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union and York. The seat of the bishop is in St...
and current bishop of Fort Wayne-South BendRoman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South BendThe Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is a Roman Catholic diocese in north-central and northeastern Indiana. The Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades was appointed diocesan bishop by Pope Benedict XVI on November 14, 2009, and was installed on January 13, 2010...
, IndianaIndianaIndiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... - Joseph Edward Kurtz, current Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lousiville and former Bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville.
- Victor SchertzingerVictor SchertzingerVictor L. Schertzinger was an American composer, film director, film producer, and screenwriter. His films include Paramount on Parade , Something to Sing About with James Cagney, and the first two "Road" pictures Road to Singapore and Road to Zanzibar...
(1890–1941), Academy Award winning composer, film director, film producer and screenwriter. An historic marker was erected in his honor on September 1, 2006. - George SeneskyGeorge SeneskyGeorge Lawrence Senesky was an American professional basketball player and coach...
(1922–2001), professional basketball player and coach. - John WalsonJohn WalsonJohn Walson Sr. , from Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, is recognized by the U.S. Congress and the National Cable Television Association as having invented cable TV in the spring of 1948....
, first TV cable operator. - James J. RhoadesJames J. RhoadesJames J. Rhoades was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who represented the 29th District from 1980 until his death....
(1941–2008), former RepublicanRepublican 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...
senator of Pennsylvania's 29th district. - Jack McCloskeyJack McCloskeyJohn William "Jack" McCloskey is a retired American basketball player, coach and executive in the NBA. He served in World War II as a lieutenant commanding a landing ship for Marines. He played one game for the Philadelphia Warriors during the 1953 season, scoring 6 points in that game...
(1925-), Basketball coach (Penn, Wake Forest, Portland Trail Blazers), GM of two-time NBA Champion Detroit Pistons, Member Michigan Sports Hall of Fame