Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Aside from being the state capital, Harrisburg is also the cultural, recreational and financial hub of Pennsylvania. This picturesque city is located along the shores of the Susquehanna River is the county of Dauphin County and has grown from a modest ferry outpost to a center for the region’s art and culture. People moving to Harrisburg are attracted by a community that offers all the pleasures of an urban metropolis while maintaining the warmth and caring associated with South Central Pennsylvania. In 2010, Forbes rated Harrisburg as as the second best place to raise a family. This feat will surely make the city a more popular moving destination than it already is.
Economy:
Harrisburg’s economy is largely concentrated on service-related industries and growing technological industry. Companies either headquartered in the region or with major operations there include Tyco Electronics Corporation, IBM, Hershey Foods, Harsco Corporation, and Rite Aid Corporation. The largest employer, state government, provides stability to the economy and attracts attendant services. Excellent roads and rail transportation contribute to the city's prominence as a center for trade, warehousing and distribution.
History:
The area now known as Harrisburg was once an important resting place and crossroads for Native American traders. The trails leading from the Delaware to the Ohio rivers, and from the Potomac to the Upper Susquehanna intersected there. The first European contact with Native Americans in Pennsylvania was made by the Englishman, Captain John Smith, who journeyed from Virginia up the Susquehanna River in 1608 and visited with the Susquehanna tribe. In 1719, John Harris, Sr., an English trader, settled here and 14 years later secured grants of 800 acres in this vicinity. In 1785, John Harris, Jr. made plans to lay out a town on his father's land, which he named Harrisburg. In the spring of 1785, the town was formally surveyed by William Maclay, who was a son-in-law of John Harris, Sr. In 1791, Harrisburg became incorporated and was named the Pennsylvania state capital in October 1812, and has been since.
Harrisburg played an important role in American history during the Westward Migration, the American Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. The completion of the Pennsylvania Canal and later the Pennsylvania Railroad allowed Harrisburg to become one of the most industrialized cities in the Northeastern United States. The U.S. Navy ship USS Harrisburg, which served from 1918 to 1919 at the end of World War I, was named in honor of the city.
Tourism:
Harrisburg offers guests with a wide variety of attractions, activities and events. Several that vacationers typically enjoy are Water Golf on City Island, Fort Hunter Mansion, John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion Museum, Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, and Calvary Baptist Church.
Harrisburg also plays host to the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show. Farmers from all over Pennsylvania come to show their animals and participate in competitions. Livestock are on display for people to interact with and view. In 2004, Harrisburg hosted Cow Parade, an international public art exhibit that has been featured in major cities all over the world. Fiberglass sculptures of cows are decorated by local artists, and distributed over the city centre, in public places such as train stations and parks. They often feature artwork and designs specific to local culture, as well as city life and other relevant themes.
Colleges/Universities:
• Harrisburg University-Science & Tech
• Albright College
• Temple University Harrisburg
• Penn State Harrisburg
Interesting Facts:
• Harrisburg is home of the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest agricultural exhibition of its kind in the nation.
• Harrisburg boasts the world’s tallest splashdown amusement park ride.
• A short skirmish took place in June 1863 at Sporting Hill, just 2 miles west of Harrisburg. This is considered by many to be the northern-most battle of the Civil War.
Helpful Links:
• Harrisburg Real Estate
• Harrisburg Storage Facility
• Harrisburg Insurance
• Harrisburg Dental Offices
• Harrisburg Moving Guide