Sayre, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Sayre is the largest borough in Bradford County
, Pennsylvania
, 59 miles (95 km) northwest of Scranton
. In the past, various iron products were made there. In 1900, 5,243 people lived there; in 1910, 6,426 people lived there, and in 1940, 7,569 persons made their homes in Sayre. The population was 5,813 at the 2000 census. Sayre is home to the Robert Packer Hospital and Guthrie Clinic. Sayre is also in a small area called 'The Valley,' a group of four contiguous communities in New York
and Pennsylvania
: Waverly, New York
; South Waverly, PA
; Sayre; and Athens, PA, with a combined population near 30,000.
Sayre borders, and is contiguous with, Waverly, New York
; South Waverly, Pennsylvania
; and Athens, Pennsylvania
..
to locate a new railroad repair facility on the Pine Plains for the expanding Lehigh Valley Railroad
, which was making a push north to connect to the New York state railroads. Robert Heysham Sayre, President of the Pennsylvania and New York Railroad
, helped cement the deal. The town was named in his honor. Sayre was incorporated on January 27, 1891.
In 1904 when the locomotive yards were built at Sayre, they were the second largest in the world. The railroad operated from 1870 until 1976, but maintenance facilities were shifted away before that. With the decline of industry, population has declined since 1940.
in the Allegheny Plateau
on the confluence of the Susquehanna River
and the Chemung River
, along with Athens, Pennsylvania
, South Waverly, Pennsylvania
, and Waverly, New York
. Together, these small towns make up the greater area known as the Penn-York Valley, or just the Valley. The New York
/ Pennsylvania
border cuts through the Valley. There is no physical border between the towns, as the grid of streets and avenues blend seamlessly from one town to another.
Sayre is located at 41°59′1"N 76°31′15"W (41.983567, -76.520845).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²).2.0 square miles (5.3 km²) of it is land and 0.49% is water.
of 2000, there were 5,813 people, 2,529 households, and 1,514 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 2,866.8 people per square mile (1,105.6/km²). There were 2,722 housing units at an average density of 1,342.4 per square mile (517.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.92% White, 0.62% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.15% from other races
, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.
There were 2,529 households out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples
living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $33,338, and the median income for a family was $40,571. Males had a median income of $30,685 versus $24,837 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $18,549. About 7.1% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.
Radio
Television
Bradford County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,761 people, 24,453 households, and 17,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 28,664 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
, 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...
, 59 miles (95 km) northwest of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
. In the past, various iron products were made there. In 1900, 5,243 people lived there; in 1910, 6,426 people lived there, and in 1940, 7,569 persons made their homes in Sayre. The population was 5,813 at the 2000 census. Sayre is home to the Robert Packer Hospital and Guthrie Clinic. Sayre is also in a small area called 'The Valley,' a group of four contiguous communities in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and 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...
: Waverly, New York
Waverly, Tioga County, New York
----Waverly is the largest village in Tioga County, New York, United States. It is located southeast of Elmira in the Southern Tier region. This village was incorporated as the southwest part of the town of Barton in 1854...
; South Waverly, PA
South Waverly, Pennsylvania
South Waverly is a borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 987 at the 2000 census. It runs into Sayre, Pennsylvania in the south and to the north Waverly in Tioga County in New York...
; Sayre; and Athens, PA, with a combined population near 30,000.
Sayre borders, and is contiguous with, Waverly, New York
Waverly, Tioga County, New York
----Waverly is the largest village in Tioga County, New York, United States. It is located southeast of Elmira in the Southern Tier region. This village was incorporated as the southwest part of the town of Barton in 1854...
; South Waverly, Pennsylvania
South Waverly, Pennsylvania
South Waverly is a borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 987 at the 2000 census. It runs into Sayre, Pennsylvania in the south and to the north Waverly in Tioga County in New York...
; and Athens, Pennsylvania
Athens, Pennsylvania
Athens is a borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, two miles south of the N. Y. State line on the Susquehanna and Chemung rivers. Population in 1900, 3,749; and in 1910, 3,796. The population was 3,415 at the 2000 census...
..
History
In May 1870, a Waverly banker named Howard Elmer, along with Charles Anthony and James Fritcher, bought the Pine Plains area between Waverly and Athens. Elmer convinced Asa PackerAsa Packer
Asa Packer was an American businessman who pioneered railroad construction, was active in Pennsylvania politics, and founded Lehigh University.-Early life:...
to locate a new railroad repair facility on the Pine Plains for the expanding Lehigh Valley Railroad
Lehigh Valley Railroad
The Lehigh Valley Railroad was one of a number of railroads built in the northeastern United States primarily to haul anthracite coal.It was authorized April 21, 1846 in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and incorporated September 20, 1847 as the Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad...
, which was making a push north to connect to the New York state railroads. Robert Heysham Sayre, President of the Pennsylvania and New York Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, helped cement the deal. The town was named in his honor. Sayre was incorporated on January 27, 1891.
In 1904 when the locomotive yards were built at Sayre, they were the second largest in the world. The railroad operated from 1870 until 1976, but maintenance facilities were shifted away before that. With the decline of industry, population has declined since 1940.
Geography
Sayre is situated in a river valleyValley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...
in the Allegheny Plateau
Allegheny Plateau
The Allegheny Plateau is a large dissected plateau area in western and central New York, northern and western Pennsylvania, northern and western West Virginia, and eastern Ohio...
on the confluence of the Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
and the Chemung River
Chemung River
The Chemung River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River, approximately long, in south central New York and northern Pennsylvania in the United States. It drains a mountainous region of the northern Allegheny Plateau in the Southern Tier of New York...
, along with Athens, Pennsylvania
Athens, Pennsylvania
Athens is a borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, two miles south of the N. Y. State line on the Susquehanna and Chemung rivers. Population in 1900, 3,749; and in 1910, 3,796. The population was 3,415 at the 2000 census...
, South Waverly, Pennsylvania
South Waverly, Pennsylvania
South Waverly is a borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 987 at the 2000 census. It runs into Sayre, Pennsylvania in the south and to the north Waverly in Tioga County in New York...
, and Waverly, New York
Waverly, Tioga County, New York
----Waverly is the largest village in Tioga County, New York, United States. It is located southeast of Elmira in the Southern Tier region. This village was incorporated as the southwest part of the town of Barton in 1854...
. Together, these small towns make up the greater area known as the Penn-York Valley, or just the Valley. The New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
/ 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...
border cuts through the Valley. There is no physical border between the towns, as the grid of streets and avenues blend seamlessly from one town to another.
Sayre is located at 41°59′1"N 76°31′15"W (41.983567, -76.520845).
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 2 square miles (5.2 km²).2.0 square miles (5.3 km²) of it is land and 0.49% is water.
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 5,813 people, 2,529 households, and 1,514 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 2,866.8 people per square mile (1,105.6/km²). There were 2,722 housing units at an average density of 1,342.4 per square mile (517.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.92% White, 0.62% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.15% 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 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.
There were 2,529 households out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% 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, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $33,338, and the median income for a family was $40,571. Males had a median income of $30,685 versus $24,837 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 $18,549. About 7.1% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Peter "Dick" Cacchione - former New York City councilman
- Red MurrayRed MurrayJohn Joseph "Red" Murray was a professional baseball player.Red Murray was born in Arnot, Pennsylvania. In 1902, Murray attended Lock Haven College where he played football, basketball, and baseball. In 1904, Murray changed schools to the University of Notre Dame, playing catcher for the...
- professional baseball player - Jane RobertsJane RobertsJane Roberts was an American author, poet, psychic and spirit medium, who said she had "channeled" a personality she called "Seth". Her publication of the Seth texts, known as the "Seth Material", established her as one of the preeminent figures in the world of paranormal phenomena...
- author - Father Robert S. SmithFather Robert S. SmithRobert S. Smith , the Robert R. Colbert Sr. '48 Catholic Chaplain and Distinguished Scholar at Cornell University, was a Catholic priest, author, and educator. His interests ranged from philosophy and theology to the ethics of medical care to interfaith dialogue...
- priest - Jeff TerpkoJeff TerpkoJeffrey Michael "Jeff" Terpko is former Major League Baseball pitcher. Terpko played for the Texas Rangers in and and the Montreal Expos in .-External links:*...
- Baseball player - Chuck CiprichChuck CiprichCharles J. Ciprich is an American former racing driver from Sayre, Pennsylvania. A successful modified stock car racer who won numerous championships throughout the northeast, Ciprich tried his hand at Championship Car racing in 1983 and 1984...
- Racecar driver - Charles C. PixleyCharles C. PixleyCharles Calvin Pixley , was the 34th Surgeon General of the United States Army, serving in that capacity from October 1, 1977 to September 20, 1981.-Early life:...
- Doctor - Erwin RudolphErwin RudolphErwin Rudolph was an American pocket billiards player from Cleveland, Ohio and a four-time world champion. One of his great feats was running 125 points in 32 minutes .-Biography:...
- BilliardsBilliardsCue sports , also known as billiard sports, are a wide variety of games of skill generally played with a cue stick which is used to strike billiard balls, moving them around a cloth-covered billiards table bounded by rubber .Historically, the umbrella term was billiards...
player - Elishama TozerElishama TozerElishama Tozer was an American politician from New York.-Life:...
- Revolutionary War politician - ArcesiaArcesiaJohn Anthony Arcesi was an American singer of Jazz and Popular songs.-Early life:Born John Anthony Arcesi in Sayre, Pennsylvania on February 11, 1917. John's father Antonio Arcesi,, and his mother, Maria Marchinne, were born in Sezze, Italy...
- Jazz singer
Media
Newspaper- The Morning TimesMorning TimesThe Morning Times is a morning newspaper published Monday through Saturday in Sayre, Pennsylvania. The newspaper serves Athens, Pennsylvania, Sayre, Pennsylvania, Waverly, New York, and the surrounding communities in the "Penn-York Valley" area of the Twin Tiers...
: formerly called The Evening Times (based in Sayre; serves Waverly, Sayre, Athens and surrounding communities) - Star Gazette (based in Elmira; serves Tioga, Chemung and Steuben Counties in NY and Bradford County in PA)
- The Daily Review (based in Towanda; serves Bradford County and surrounding areas)
Radio
- WAVR - 102.1 FMWAVRWAVR and WATS is a radio station simulcasting a Adult Contemporary format. The station serves Bradford County, Pennsylvania and Tioga County, New York, located in the Twin Tiers between Elmira and Binghamton. The station is currently owned by WATS Broadcasting, Inc., a corporation owned by local...
(based in Sayre; licensed in Waverly for FM broadcastingFM broadcastingFM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
to the Twin TiersTwin TiersThe Twin Tiers is a geographical term that refers to the collective counties that lie on the New York-Pennsylvania border adjacent to the 42nd parallel north....
market) - WATS - 960 AM (based in Sayre; licensed in Sayre for AM broadcastingAM broadcastingAM broadcasting is the process of radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation. AM was the first method of impressing sound on a radio signal and is still widely used today. Commercial and public AM broadcasting is carried out in the medium wave band world wide, and on long wave and short wave...
to the Twin TiersTwin TiersThe Twin Tiers is a geographical term that refers to the collective counties that lie on the New York-Pennsylvania border adjacent to the 42nd parallel north....
market) - WPHD - 96.1 FM (based in Horseheads; licensed in South Waverly (adjacent to Sayre) for FM broadcastingFM broadcastingFM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
to the Twin TiersTwin TiersThe Twin Tiers is a geographical term that refers to the collective counties that lie on the New York-Pennsylvania border adjacent to the 42nd parallel north....
market)
Television
- W52CE-TV Channel 52 - Sayre PA, Independent
Transportation
Sayre has one bus service. This is the Endless Mountains Transportation Authority. The EMTA's Blue Bus makes numerous stops in Waverly, Sayre, and Athens. Sayre and The Valley also has taxi service available through Valley Taxi. Valley Taxi also travels throughout the vicinities of Waverly, Sayre, and Athens.Organizations
- Sayre Little League (www.sayrelittleleague.com)
- Sayre Recreation Program (www.sayresd.org)
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters
- 4H
- Community Service Club
- Sayre Library