Harrisburg Facts: Know More About The Capital Of Pennsylvania

When the first census of the United States was taken in 1790, Harrisburg was a small colonial town with 875 locals.

The main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, connecting New York and Chicago, passes through Harrisburg. In the '30s, this line was electrified, and in 1938, the wires reached Harrisburg, which is area code 717.

Harrisburg is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's capital city and the county seat or center of Dauphin County.

This city of the United States is home to 50,099 people, making it the ninth most populous Commonwealth city. When including boroughs and townships, it becomes the 13th most populous.

Harrisburg's population is around 51.5 % African American, 21.8% Latino or Hispanic, 34.8% white, 0.5% Native American, and 4.6% Asian, with the rest identifying as more than one race, as per 2020 data.

It is located on the east side of the Susquehanna River bank, around 107 mi (172 km) to the west side of Philadelphia. During the Westward Migration, Industrial Revolution, and American Civil War in American history, Harrisburg played a major role.

The construction of the Pennsylvania Railroad and Pennsylvania Canal, built in the 19th century, made this city one of the most industrial areas located in the northeastern United States.

Geographic Location Of Harrisburg

The Pennsylvania state capital, Harrisburg, a seat of Dauphin County in south-central Pennsylvania, is an education, transportation, and economic hub. It is within a four-hour drive from Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Washington, and New York.

The total area of the Harrisburg city limits is 11.4 sq mi (30 sq km) with 3.3 sq mi (8.5 sq km) of water and 8.1 sq mi (21 sq km) of land. Water bodies like Paxton Creek empty into the Susquehanna River of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Italian Lake and Wildwood Lake parks.

• Downtown Harrisburg is a center for finance and business for the Harrisburg-Carlisle metropolitan statistical area, serving as the government seat for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Dauphin County.
• The Appalachian Mountiains' Blue mountain range is located to the north of Harrisburg.
• On the west of Harrisburg, Cumberland Valley is located.
• The Central dome of the Pennsylvania State Capitol rises up to 272 ft (83 m). This is Harrisburg's third-largest building.
• The tallest building of Harrisburg is 333 Market Street, rising up to 341 ft (104 m).

Weather And Climate Of Harrisburg

The Pennsylvania state capital, Harrisburg, has a four-season variable climate at the start of the transition between humid continental and humid subtropical zones. July is the hottest month of the year. Generally, summer is humid and hot, with occasional heat waves.

January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of below freezing. June, August, and September are pleasant months in a year. The snowiest month in Harrisburg is February.

• On July 3, 1966, the hottest temperature of Harrisburg was recorded to be 107 F (42 C). Summer thunderstorms do frequently occur in Harrisburg.
• The temperatures and humidity get to comfortable levels in Autumn.
• There are occasional snowstorms in the winter months, and some regions receive over 40 in (102 cm) of snowfall!
• January 23, 2016, saw the highest snowfall of around 26.4 in (67 cm) recorded in Middletown's Harrisburg International Airport.
• January 21, 1996, saw the coldest ever temperature in Harrisburg city, measuring around -22 F (-30 C).

History Of Harrisburg

It was believed that the site near the Susquehanna River was occupied by Native Americans around 3,000 B.C. This area was called Paxtang or Peixtin by the Native Americans. This site was a valuable crossroads and resting place for Native American traders, as this pathway led from the Ohio to the Delaware rivers and from Susquehanna to Potomac rivers.

• Captain John Smith, an Englishman, was the first European to reach the Native Americans located in Pennsylvania. In 1608, John Smith traveled from Virginia to the Susquehanna River and met the Susquehanna tribe.
• An English trader called John Harris Sr. settled in this area in 1719 for 14 years and had 800 ac (323.7 ha).
• John Harris Jr. planned to design a town in his father's area in 1785, naming it Harrisburg.
• Harrisburg had an important railroad center and steel industry by the 19th century.
• The first suburb of Harrisburg was Allison Hill in downtown Harrisburg. It was developed around the 19th-century.
• Around the 20th century, this city saw a massive change, especially when the Harrisburg park systems and Reservoir Park, Riverfront Park, Wildwood Park, and Italian Lake were created.

What is Harrisburg known for?

Harrisburg is known for its history and beauty. This city is embellished with buildings made in the 18th and 19th centuries.

You can explore the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex around the city's centerpiece and explore creative areas of city government. The main attractions in the city are the activities that take place near the Susquehanna River, like kayaking, riverboat, biking, and spending time in City Island Complex involved in other recreational activities.

• The National Civil War Museum was opened in 2001 and showcased the vital conflicts of America.
• Pennsylvania's State Museum showcases the history of Pennsylvania and its wildlife.
• The Fort Hunter Mansion and Park showcase 18th-century America with over 10 buildings.
• The Whitaker Cente for Science and Arts has exhibited live performances of theater, music and dance, an art gallery, and kid-friendly areas.
• Riverboat cruising is also one of the tourist attractions available there. You can get a great view of the Harrisburg skyline on a paddle-wheel boat.
• Wildwood Park is a great location for bird-watching. You can enjoy the undisturbed wildlife, wetland areas, flora, and faunas.