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Chambersburg is a borough in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 52 miles (84 km) southwest of Harrisburg. The population was 17,862 at the 2000 census. The population stood at 7,863 in 1890; 8,864 in 1900; 11,800 in 1910; 13,171 in 1920; and 14,852 in 1940. Chambersburg is the county seat of Franklin CountyTemplate:GR.
It is located along US 30, between McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Geography
Chambersburg is located at 39°56′5″N 77°39′23″W / 39.93472°N 77.65639°W / 39.93472; -77.65639Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (39.934813, -77.656352)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 17.8 km² (6.9 mi²), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 17,862 people, 7,722 households, and 4,386 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,003.9/km² (2,601.3/mi²). There were 8,305 housing units at an average density of 466.8/km² (1,209.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 86.43% White, 7.56% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.08% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.38% of the population.
There were 7,722 households out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the borough the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $32,336, and the median income for a family was $40,352. Males had a median income of $31,803 versus $21,548 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,278. About 9.8% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
History
"Falling Spring" was first settled by Colonel Benjamin Chambers, a Scots-Irish immigrant, in 1730. It became part of Franklin County when the county was established in 1784. Chambersburg was incorporated in 1803 and declared the County Seat when the State Assembly established a formal government.
By 1859, Chambersburg was a stop on the famous Underground Railroad, and abolitionists John Brown, Frederick Douglass and their followers met there when planning the disastrous raid on Harpers Ferry. John Brown stayed in a local Chambersburg house during the summer of 1859. He lived unknown by the Chambersburg residents. His temporary house still stands at 225 East King Street in Chambersburg and is open to the public.
During the American Civil War on October 11, 1862, Confederate Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and his cavalrymen looted Chambersburg during a raid into the North. During the early days of the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign, a Virginia cavalry brigade under Brig. Gen. Albert G. Jenkins occupied the town and burned several warehouses and Cumberland Valley Railroad structures and a nearby bridge. Later, much of the Army of Northern Virginia passed through Chambersburg en route to Carlisle and Gettysburg, and Robert E. Lee established his headquarters at a nearby farm.
The following year, Chambersburg was invaded for a third time, as cavalry dispatched from the Shenandoah Valley by Jubal Early arrived. On July 30, 1864, a large portion of the town was burned down under orders from Brig. Gen. John McCausland for failing to provide a ransom of $500,000 in US currency, or $100,000 in gold.
Publications
- History of Franklin County, (Chicago, 1887)
Government
John A. Redding, Jr. (Republican) - Mayor <bearcat48@earthlink.net>
1ST WARD William F. McLaughlin - President of Council; Allen B. Coffman
2ND WARD Ruth M. Harbaugh - Assistant Finance Chairman; Janet L. Lukic
3RD WARD Elaine M. Swartz; Glenn K. Manns - Finance Chairman
4TH WARD Mary Beth Shank; Sharon A. Bigler
5TH WARD Heath Talhelm; Robert A.Wareham, Sr. - V. President of Council
External links
| Municipalities and communities of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| County seat: Chambersburg | ||
| Boroughs |  | |
| Townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities |
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |