Page Contents for State College, Pennsylvania

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Community events.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Pennsylvania state capital is Harrisburg.
The population of State College is approximately 38,420 (2000), 42034 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 11,623 (1990), 12610 (2010).
The amount of land area in State College is 11.594 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from State College to Washington DC is 137 miles.
The distance to the Pennsylvania state capital is 62 miles. (as the crow flies)
State College is positioned 40.79 degrees north of the equator and 77.85 degrees west of the prime meridian.

Location

northwest of Harrisburg in central Pennsylvania. Nearby communities include Houserville, Shingletown, Lemont, Buffalo Run, Dale Summit and Boalsburg. Here is a map and location page for the area.
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History & History Related Items

Though the earliest inhabitants of the area were Native Americans, the recorded history began in 1758 when the Penn family was given the land by the King of England. The first settler is believed to be General James Potter in 1759. The community of Centre Furnace began in 1791, the first iron furnace in central Pennsylvania. Much later, in the mid 1800's, an agricultural school was established on 200 acres near Centre Furnace. By 1856, the school building began. By 1859, a part of the building was completed and the first students arrived. The area was sparsely settled, but there were a few homes and businesses. In 1860, a post office was opened. At the same time, the students outnumbered the local residents 110 to 25. But as the school grew, so did the community. By 1896, there were 300 residents with 337 students. With the growth came, more needs necessitating the incorporating of the town on 29 August 1896. As time went on, more grow occurred. By the mid 1940's, the residents and the students were about the same with 6,400 for the former and 6,400 for the later.
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Attractions

Learn more about State College at this informative site.

Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra,br> 119 S. Fraser St., Suite D
State College, PA 16801
Phone: 814-234-8313

Home of Penn State University

Arboretum at Penn State,br> 101 Ferguson Building
University Park, PA 16802-4300
Phone: 814-865-9118
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State College City Government

Borough of State College
243 South Allen Street
State College, PA 16801
Phone: 814-234-7100
Staff Phone: (814) 234-7110
Fax: (814) 231-3082
Borough Council: (814) 234-7106
TTY: (814) 234-7110

State College has a Council/Manager/Mayor form of government under a Home Rule Charter. The council has seven members who are elected at-large to four year, overlapping terms. The Mayor is elected separately to a four year term. The manager is appointed by the council.

State College Chamber

The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County
200 Innovation Blvd., Suite 201
State College, PA 16803
Phone: 814-234-1829

State College Community Events

Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
Held each year in July.
403 S. Allen Street, Suite 205A
P.O. Box 1023
State College, PA 16804-1023
Phone: 814-237-3682
FAX: 814-237-0708
Email

State College Organizations

The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County
200 Innovation Blvd., Suite 201
State College, PA 16803
Phone: 814-234-1829

State College Schools

State College area School District
131 W. Nittany Ave.
State College, PA 16801
Phone: 814-231-1011 State College

Miscellany

State College, Pennsylvania is often referred to as "Happy Valley."

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the population of State College was:
1970 - 33,778
1980 - 36,130
1990 - 38,981
2000 - 38,420
(source: US Census)