Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Marcus Hook is a borough in Delaware County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The population peaked in the 1920s with 5,324 inhabitants. 2,314 inhabitants were counted at the recent 2000 census. Marcus Hook's current mayor is James Schiliro. The borough calls itself "The Cornerstone of Pennsylvania". The 2005 Film One Last Thing...
was set and partially filmed in Marcus Hook.
settlement that became a New Sweden
trading post in the 1640s. Called "Chammassungh" or "Finland", it was on the west side of the Delaware River, between Marcus Hook and the mouth of Naamans Creek. The settlement was renamed "Marrites Hoeck" after the Dutch conquered the area in 1655. Small ship construction and fishing were its early industries. Later, Marcus Hook became a resort and amusement center. The borough was officially incorporated on March 7, 1892. The convergence of rail, roads, a deep water port, and the nation's growing thirst for petroleum gave rise to the refineries that became the borough's dominant industry.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.2 km²), of which, 1.1 square miles (2.9 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (30.86%) is water. The lowest point in the state of Pennsylvania is located on the Delaware River
in Marcus Hook, where it flows out of Pennsylvania and into Delaware
.
. Children within the borough usually attend Marcus Hook Elementary School (Grades K-4), Chichester Middle School (Grades 5-8), or Chichester High School
(Grades 9-12).
of 2000, there were 2,314 people, 919 households, and 565 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 2,055.7 people per square mile (790.7/km²). There were 1,025 housing units at an average density of 910.6 per square mile (350.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.44% White, 5.32% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.69% from other races
, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.
There were 919 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.9% were married couples
living together, 19.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $28,219, and the median income for a family was $36,083. Males had a median income of $31,620 versus $24,569 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $13,738. About 13.3% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.
demonstrations as well as entertainment.
The Plankhouse Crew was created around the Plankhouse which was believed to be the former home of a woman named Margaret, a mistress of the infamous pirate Blackbeard
. They are also Marcus Hook's featured group for the annual Delaware River River Ramble celebration held in September.
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population peaked in the 1920s with 5,324 inhabitants. 2,314 inhabitants were counted at the recent 2000 census. Marcus Hook's current mayor is James Schiliro. The borough calls itself "The Cornerstone of Pennsylvania". The 2005 Film One Last Thing...
One Last Thing...
One Last Thing... is a 2006 comedy-drama film produced by HDNet Films and released by Magnolia Pictures. It was screened at the Toronto Film Festival on September 12, 2005 and had a limited release in the United States on May 5, 2006...
was set and partially filmed in Marcus Hook.
History
In early times, Marcus Hook was a major LenapeLenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
settlement that became a New Sweden
New Sweden
New Sweden was a Swedish colony along the Delaware River on the Mid-Atlantic coast of North America from 1638 to 1655. Fort Christina, now in Wilmington, Delaware, was the first settlement. New Sweden included parts of the present-day American states of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania....
trading post in the 1640s. Called "Chammassungh" or "Finland", it was on the west side of the Delaware River, between Marcus Hook and the mouth of Naamans Creek. The settlement was renamed "Marrites Hoeck" after the Dutch conquered the area in 1655. Small ship construction and fishing were its early industries. Later, Marcus Hook became a resort and amusement center. The borough was officially incorporated on March 7, 1892. The convergence of rail, roads, a deep water port, and the nation's growing thirst for petroleum gave rise to the refineries that became the borough's dominant industry.
Geography
Marcus Hook is located at 39°49′N 75°25′W (39.8182, -75.4155).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 1.6 square miles (4.2 km²), of which, 1.1 square miles (2.9 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (30.86%) is water. The lowest point in the state of Pennsylvania is located on the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
in Marcus Hook, where it flows out of Pennsylvania and into Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
.
Educational system
Marcus Hook is a part of Chichester School DistrictChichester School District
The Chichester School District covers the Boroughs of Marcus Hook and Trainer and Lower Chichester Township and Upper Chichester Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania...
. Children within the borough usually attend Marcus Hook Elementary School (Grades K-4), Chichester Middle School (Grades 5-8), or Chichester High School
Chichester High School
Chichester High School is a four-year public high school in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania. It is currently the only high school in the Chichester School District and has an enrollment of about 1200.- Prominent alumni :...
(Grades 9-12).
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 2,314 people, 919 households, and 565 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 2,055.7 people per square mile (790.7/km²). There were 1,025 housing units at an average density of 910.6 per square mile (350.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.44% White, 5.32% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.69% 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 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.
There were 919 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.9% 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, 19.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $28,219, and the median income for a family was $36,083. Males had a median income of $31,620 versus $24,569 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 $13,738. About 13.3% of families and 21.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.
Famous residents
- Billy "White Shoes" JohnsonBilly Johnson (football player)William "Billy" Arthur Johnson, aka "White Shoes" , is a former American football player in the National Football League from 1974 through 1988...
, NFL player
- Mickey VernonMickey VernonJames Barton "Mickey" Vernon was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators for the majority of his career, as well as four other teams: the Cleveland Indians , Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates...
, Major League Baseball Player
- Curt WeldonCurt WeldonWayne Curtis "Curt" Weldon is an American politician. He served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 2007, representing the 7th district of Pennsylvania. He was defeated in November 2006 for reelection by Joe Sestak. Weldon was vice-chair of the Armed...
, former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania and former mayor of Marcus Hook.
Local community groups
In the interest of protecting and remembering nearly 400 years of history in Marcus Hook two groups were created. The Marcus Hook Preservation Society works with the community, local universities and archeology groups to fund archeological digs and setup educational programs. The Plankhouse Crew is a Pirate Reenactment group focusing on the Golden Age of Piracy and provides living historyLiving history
Living history is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Although it does not necessarily seek to reenact a specific event in history, living history is...
demonstrations as well as entertainment.
The Plankhouse Crew was created around the Plankhouse which was believed to be the former home of a woman named Margaret, a mistress of the infamous pirate Blackbeard
Blackbeard
Edward Teach , better known as Blackbeard, was a notorious English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of the American colonies....
. They are also Marcus Hook's featured group for the annual Delaware River River Ramble celebration held in September.