RE/MAX Realty Professionals, Inc.

Harrisburg, PA Area Guide

Harrisburg is the capital of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is the cultural, historical, entertainment, recreational, financial and governmental hub of Central Pennsylvania. Harrisburg is the county seat of Dauphin County and lies on the east bank of the Susquehanna River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 48,950, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg is a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly community, hosting a large number of award-winning and family-friendly international, national, regional and local events year-round. From the bustling downtown, through historic neighborhoods and City parks, to the banks of the expansive and beautiful Susquehanna River, the City buzzes with activities and events. Discover more about beautiful Harrisburg by visiting the city’s official website at: http://www.harrisburgpa.gov/

History

Harrisburg's site is thought to have been inhabited by Native Americans as early as 3000 BC. The Native Americans called the area "Peixtin", or "Paxtang", and it was an important resting place and crossroads for Native American traders. The first European contact with Native Americans in Pennsylvania was made by 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 there 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.

During the first part of the 19th century, Harrisburg was a notable stopping place along the Underground Railroad, as escaped slaves would be transported across the Susquehanna River and were often fed and given supplies before heading north towards Canada. The assembling of the Harrisburg Convention in 1827 led to the passage of the high protective-tariff bill of 1828. In 1839, Harrison and Tyler were nominated for President of the United States at the first national convention of the Whig Party of the United States, which was held in Harrisburg. By the 1830s Harrisburg was part of the Pennsylvania canal system and an important railroad center as well. Steel and iron became dominant industries and continued to play a major role in the local economy throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century. The city was the center of enormous railroad traffic and supported large furnaces, rolling mills, and machine shops. The Pennsylvania Steel Company plant, which opened in nearby Steelton in 1866, was the first in the country; later operated by Bethlehem Steel.

During the American Civil War, Harrisburg was a significant training center for the Union Army, with tens of thousands of troops passing through Camp Curtin. It was also a major rail center for the Union and a vital link between the Atlantic coast and the Midwest, with several railroads running through the city and spanning the Susquehanna River. As a result of this importance, it was a target of General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia during its two invasions. The first of these invasions occurred during the 1862 Maryland Campaign, when Lee planned to capture the city after taking Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, but was prevented from doing so by the Battle of Antietam and his subsequent retreat back into Virginia. The second attempt was made during the Gettysburg Campaign in 1863 and was more substantial. 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.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agriculture exposition in the United States, was first held in 1917 and has been held every January since then. The present location of the Show is the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Arena, located at the corner of Maclay and Cameron streets.

After Harrisburg suffered years of being in bad shape economically, Stephen R. Reed was elected mayor in 1981 and served until 2009, making him the city's longest serving mayor. He immediately started projects which would attract both businesses and tourists. Several museums and hotels such as Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, the National Civil War Museum and the Hilton Harrisburg and Towers were built during his term, along with many office buildings and residences. Several semi-professional sports franchises, including the Harrisburg Senators of the Eastern League, the defunct Harrisburg Heat indoor soccer club and the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division began operations in the city during his tenure as mayor. For this and more information about Harrisburg’s rich history, please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrisburg,_Pennsylvania

Parks & Recreation

The City of Harrisburg’s Department of Parks and Recreation offers residents and visitors alike a multitude of functions that include providing summer programming for over seventeen recreational sites; maintaining and staffing two City Pools, one beach facility on City Island; and 27 Parks and Playgrounds that total over 450 acres; administering over 2000 days of park rentals; planning, producing or assisting in producing over 200 Special Events annually. Please click here for more details. http://www.harrisburgpa.gov/Visitor/Parks_Recreation.html

Attractions

The National Civil War Museum
The National Civil War Museum is the only museum of its type in the United States that portrays the entire story of the American Civil War. The presentations are humanistic in nature without bias to Union or Confederate causes. Discover more by visiting the National Civil War Museum’s official website. http://www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org/index_1.php

Senators Baseball
The Harrisburg Senators not only play baseball, but are also deeply involved in the surrounding community. The Harrisburg Senators continue to strive to contribute to the growth, enjoyment and education of their fans through their ongoing participation in local events and their outreach programs. Learn more about Senators Baseball by visiting their official website at: http://harrisburg.senators.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t547

The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum brings the sights, sounds, and history of firefighting to life. The Fire Museum is housed in the 1899 Victorian firehouse Reily Hose Company No. 10. The museum features an exceptional collection of artifacts from the hand-drawn equipment of yesterday to the modern tools of today. Please visit The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum’s official website for more details.
http://www.pnfm.org/

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts offers an array of live concerts, theater, and dance performances. The center also has a larger-than-life IMAX screen and three floors of scientific interactive, hands-on exhibits. There is always something exciting going on at Whitaker Center, Central Pennsylvania’s most engaging entertainment venue for visitors of all ages. Please visit the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts at: http://www.whitakercenter.org/

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
The Levitt Pavilion Harrisburg offers a variety of genres including dance, theatre, and music. Shakespeare in the Park is not an event to miss. Musical varieties include reggae, jazz, classical, hip-hop, Motown, Latin, swing and much more. Please visit their official website for more details. http://www.levittlive.com/Home.html

Event Calendar
Discover Harrisburg’s official event calendar at: http://www.harrisburgevents.com/