Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Difference between revisions
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==Government== |
==Government== |
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===City and County=== |
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The '''Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center''', the only city hall in the [[United States]] named for a [[civil rights]] leader, serves the central location for the administrative functions of the city. |
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Harrisburg has been served since 1970 by the “strong mayor” form of municipal government, with separate executive and legislative branches. The Mayor serves a four-year term with no term limits. As the full-time chief executive, the Mayor oversees the operation of 34 agencies, run by department and office heads, some of whom comprise the Mayor’s cabinet, including the Departments of Public Safety (police and fire bureaus), Public Works, Business Administration, Parks and Recreation, Incineration and Steam Generation, Building & Housing Development and Solicitor. The current mayor of Harrisburg is [[Stephen R. Reed]] (D). |
Harrisburg has been served since 1970 by the “strong mayor” form of municipal government, with separate executive and legislative branches. The Mayor serves a four-year term with no term limits. As the full-time chief executive, the Mayor oversees the operation of 34 agencies, run by department and office heads, some of whom comprise the Mayor’s cabinet, including the Departments of Public Safety (police and fire bureaus), Public Works, Business Administration, Parks and Recreation, Incineration and Steam Generation, Building & Housing Development and Solicitor. The current mayor of Harrisburg is [[Stephen R. Reed]] (D). |
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There are seven city council members, all elected at large, who serve part-time for four-year terms. There are two other elected city posts, City Treasurer and City Controller, who separately head their own fiscally related offices. |
There are seven city council members, all elected at large, who serve part-time for four-year terms. There are two other elected city posts, City Treasurer and City Controller, who separately head their own fiscally related offices. |
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The '''Dauphin County Government Complex''', located in downtown Harrisburg, serves as the administrative hub of the county. The [[trial court]] of general jurisdiction for Harrisburg rests with the [[Dauphin County, Pennsylvania|Court of Dauphin County]] and is largely funded and operated by county resources and employees. |
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===State Government=== |
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The '''Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex''', dominates the cities stature as a regional and national hub for government and politics. All administrative functions of the [[Commonwealth of Pennsylvania]] are located within the complex and at various nearby locations. |
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The '''Commonwealth Judicial Center''', houses Pennsylvania's three [[appellate courts]], which are located in Harrisburg. The [[Supreme Court of Pennsylvania]], which is the court of last resort in the state, regularly hears arguments at . The [[Superior Court of Pennsylvania]] and the [[Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania]] are located here. Judges for these courts are elected at large. |
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===Federal Government=== |
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The '''Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse''', currently located in downtown Harrisburg, serves as the regional administrative offices of the [[United States Government|federal government]]. A branch of the [[U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania]] is also located within the courthouse. |
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==Transportation== |
==Transportation== |
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Revision as of 20:45, 21 December 2005
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania, one of four state's designated a Commonwealth of the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city has a total population of 48,950 (metropolitan area 643,820), making it the fourth largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg is the county seat of Dauphin County and lies on the banks of the Susquehanna River, 105 miles (169 km) west by north of Philadelphia.
Harrisburg is one of the oldest and most historically significant state capital cities in the United States. It has played a critical role in American history during the Westward Migration, the American Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. During part of the 19th century, the building of the Pennsylvania Canal and later the Pennsylvania Railroad, allowed Harrisburg to became one of the most industrialized cities in the northeastern United States.
Contrasting its 1981 status as the second most distressed city in the nation, Harrisburg has undergone a dramatic economic resurgence since, with nearly $3 billion in new investment now realized. Harrisburg is also known for the infamous Three Mile Island incident, which occurred in nearby Middletown.
History
In 1719, John Harris, an English trader, settled here and 14 years later secured grants of 800 acres (3.2 km²) in this vicinity. In 1753 his son established a ferry, and the place was long known as Harris's Ferry. In 1785, a town was laid out and named Harrisburg, but in the following year it was renamed Louisburg in honor of Louis XVI. In 1791, it was incorporated as Harrisburg, and was named the Pennsylvania state capital in 1812. In 1860, it was chartered as a city.
The assembling here of the Harrisburg Convention in 1828 led to the passage of the high protective-tariff bill of that year. In 1839, Harrison and Tyler were nominated at Harrisburg.
Geography
Harrisburg is located at 40°16'11" North, 76°52'32" West (40.269789, -76.875613)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.6 km² (11.4 mi²). 21.0 km² (8.1 mi²) of it is land and 8.6 km² (3.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 29.11% water.
Harrisburg's western boundary is formed by the Susquehanna River, which also serves as the boundary between Dauphin and Cumberland counties.
People and Culture in Harrisburg
Culture
Harrisburg enjoys a reputation as a source for many arts and cultural opportunities, largely due to its prominence as one of the oldest American state capital cities in the urbanized, northeastern United States.
The city’s relative proximity to the larger metropolitan areas of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC also plays an influential part in Harrisburg’s cultural life. Many new and long established organizations continue to professionalize themselves by rising to new standards which has been reciprocally supported by the city, the corporate sector and the community at large.
Center City is credited with two major performance centers which are unsurpassed not only for a city the size of Harrisburg but in terms of their quality in design and compliment. The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, which was completed in 1999, is the first center of its type in the United States where education, science and the performing arts take place under one roof. The Forum, a magnificent 1,763-seat concert and lecture hall built in 1930-31, is a state-owned and operated facility prominently located within the Capitol Complex.
Demographics
| City of Harrisburg Population by year [1] | |
|
1820 - 2,990 | |
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 48,950 people, 20,561 households, and 10,917 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,330.4/km² (6,035.6/mi²). There are 24,314 housing units at an average density of 1,157.5/km² (2,997.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 31.72% White, 54.83% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 2.83% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 6.54% from other races, and 3.64% from two or more races. 11.69% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 20,561 households out of which 28.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.4% are married couples living together, 24.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% are non-families. 39.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 3.15.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $26,920, and the median income for a family is $29,556. Males have a median income of $27,670 versus $24,405 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,787. 24.6% of the population and 23.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 34.9% of those under the age of 18 and 16.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Museums, art collections, and sites of interest
- Art Association of Harrisburg, oldest art gallery in Harrisburg
- Broad Street Market, oldest continuously operated farmers market in the United States
- Capital Area Greenbelt, 20 mile greenbelt linking to Riverfront Park and Reservoir Park
- Fathom Design Museum, art museum located in downtown Harrisburg
- Fort Hunter Park and Mansions
- Historic Harrisburg Association
- John Harris/Simon Cameron Mansion, operated by the Dauphin County Historical Society
- National Civil War Museum, located at Reservoir Park
- Pennsylvania State Farm Show Arena, one of the largest convention/exhibition centers on the east coast
- Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
- Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
- Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex
- State Museum of Pennsylvania
- Strawberry Square, known for unusual specialty retail shops and a full-variety food court
- Susquehanna Art Museum
- Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
Notable Natives
- Carmen Finestra - television producer
- Newt Gingrich - Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
- Hank Poteat - NFL cornerback
- Bobby Troup - jazz pianist and songwriter
Sports
Architecture
Harrisburg is home to one of the most magnificant State Capitol buildings in the country. Completed in 1906, the central dome rises to a height of 272 feet. The building is adorned with sculpture, most notably the two groups, Love and Labor, the Unbroken Law and The Burden of Life, the Broken Law by sculptor George Grey Barnard, murals by Violet Oakley and Edwin Austin Abbey and a magnificant tile floor by Henry Mercer which tells the story of the state of Pennsylvania.
Architecture photo gallery
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Railroad Bridge -
City Picture: Strawberry Square -
Capitol Complex -
Detail of the Capitol Dome -
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Tile image of bat by Henry Mercer, State Capitol rotunda -
Federal Building -
The Walnut Street Bridge -
Love and Labor:The Unbroken Law -
The Burden of Life:The Broken Law
Government
City and County
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center, the only city hall in the United States named for a civil rights leader, serves the central location for the administrative functions of the city.
Harrisburg has been served since 1970 by the “strong mayor” form of municipal government, with separate executive and legislative branches. The Mayor serves a four-year term with no term limits. As the full-time chief executive, the Mayor oversees the operation of 34 agencies, run by department and office heads, some of whom comprise the Mayor’s cabinet, including the Departments of Public Safety (police and fire bureaus), Public Works, Business Administration, Parks and Recreation, Incineration and Steam Generation, Building & Housing Development and Solicitor. The current mayor of Harrisburg is Stephen R. Reed (D).
There are seven city council members, all elected at large, who serve part-time for four-year terms. There are two other elected city posts, City Treasurer and City Controller, who separately head their own fiscally related offices.
The Dauphin County Government Complex, located in downtown Harrisburg, serves as the administrative hub of the county. The trial court of general jurisdiction for Harrisburg rests with the Court of Dauphin County and is largely funded and operated by county resources and employees.
State Government
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, dominates the cities stature as a regional and national hub for government and politics. All administrative functions of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are located within the complex and at various nearby locations.
The Commonwealth Judicial Center, houses Pennsylvania's three appellate courts, which are located in Harrisburg. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, which is the court of last resort in the state, regularly hears arguments at . The Superior Court of Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania are located here. Judges for these courts are elected at large.
Federal Government
The Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse, currently located in downtown Harrisburg, serves as the regional administrative offices of the federal government. A branch of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is also located within the courthouse.
Transportation
Harrisburg is served by Capital Area Transit (CAT) which provides public bus and commuter rail (2006) service throughout the greater metropolitan area.
Airports
Domestic and International airlines provide services via Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), which is located south of the city in Middletown. Capital City Airport (CXY), a small general aviation airport, is located in the nearby suburb of New Cumberland. Both airports are joinly owned and operated by the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA).
Rail
The Pennsylvania Railroad's main line from New York to Chicago passed, unsurprisingly, through Harrisburg. The line was electrified in the 1930s, with the wires reaching Harrisburg in 1938. They went no further. Plans to electrify through to Pittsburgh and thence to Chicago never saw fruition; sufficient funding was never available. Thus, Harrisburg became where the PRR's crack expresses such as the Broadway Limited changed from electric traction to (originally) a steam locomotive, and later a diesel locomotive.
Amtrak service, via the Northeast Corridor and Keystone Corridor, is currently being developed into an electrified high-speed rail corridor. Amtrak runs its Pennsylvanian and Keystone services, from Philadelphia to the Harrisburg Transportation Center daily. The train station is the 26th busiest Amtrak station in the nation.
Currently Harrisburg is developing a comprehensive mass transit system by implimenting the construction of a commuter rail line called CorridorOne, which will link the city with Lancaster, PA (mid 2006) and Carlisle, PA (mid 2007).
At present (October 12, 2005) Cumberland County Commissioners oppose the plan to connect Carlisle, PA to Harrisburg.
Sister Cities
Harrisburg has three sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI): Maalot (Israel), Pachuca (Mexico), and Hiroshima (Japan).
Education
Public Schools
The City of Harrisburg is served by the Harrisburg School District. The school district provides education for the city’s youth beginning with all-day kindergarten through twelfth grade. A multi-year restructuring and reform plan is aimed at making the district a model for urban public schools. The city also has two public charter schools, the Ronald H. Brown Charter School and the Sylvan Heights Science Charter School.
Private schools
Harrisburg is home to an extensive Catholic educational system. There are nearly 40 parish-driven elementary schools and seven Catholic high schools within the region administered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, including Bishop McDevitt High School. Numorous other private schools, such as the The Londonderry School and The Circle School, which is a Sudbury Model school, also operate in Harrisburg.
Higher Education
- Dixon University Center
- Harrisburg Area Community College
- Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
- Penn State Harrisburg, Eastgate Center in Downtown
- Temple University Harrisburg Campus located at Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg
- Widener University School of Law
Colleges and universities near Harrisburg include:
- Central Pennsylvania College (formerly Central Penn Business School), located in Summerdale, Pennsylvania
- Dickinson College, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
- Duquesne University (Capital Region Campus), located in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania
- Elizabethtown College, located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
- Lebanon Valley College, located in Annville, Pennsylvania
- Messiah College, located in Grantham, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Dickinson School of Law, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Penn State Harrisburg (Main Campus), located nearby in Middletown, Pennsylvania
- Shippensburg University, located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
- United States Army War College, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Libraries
- Dauphin County Law Library
- Dauphin County Library System
- McCormick Library of Harrisburg Area Community College
- State Library of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Law Library
External links
- City of Harrisburg Official Web Site
- Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District
- Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce
- The National Civil War Museum
