The population was 1,515 at the 2010 census.

Fallsburg is atown in Sullivan County. The town is in the eastern part of the county. Thepopulation was 12,870 at the 2010 census.

Fallsburg takes its name from the waterfalls of theNeversink River and was established in 1826, from a subdivision of the towns ofLiberty, Neversink and Mamakating. The town is in the heart of a once popularpredominately Jewish summer resort area known as the Catskills Borscht Belt.

The eastern town line is the border of Ulster County. It is also bordered by the towns of Thompson, Neversink, and Liberty.

Several parks and golf courses are located in the area, including Tarry Brae, Lochmor, Pines, Morningside Park and Mountaindale Park.

The town is known for its many small lakes, ponds, wooded areas, and former dairy farms.

Major bodies of water in the Town of Fallsburg include: LochSheldrake, also known as Sheldrake Pond, Echo Lake, Evans Lake, MorningsideLake, Pleasure Lake, East Pond, and the Neversink River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has atotal area of 79.0 square miles (205 km2), of which, 77.6 square miles of it island and 1.4 square miles of it (1.73%) is water surface.

As of the census of 2000, there were 12,234 people, 3,761households, and 2,478 families residing in the town. The population density was157.6 people per square mile. There were 6,661 housing units at an averagedensity of 85.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 75.19%White, 15.56% African American, 0.43% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 5.04% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.53% of the population.

There were 3,761 households out of which 33.3% had childrenunder the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples livingtogether, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% werenon-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% hadsomeone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average householdsize was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town the population was spread out with 23.3% underthe age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64,and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. Forevery 100 females there were 133.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 andover, there were 142.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,036,and the median income for a family was $39,216. Males had a median income of$31,949 versus $24,583 for females. The per capita income for the town was$16,744. About 15.9% of families and 20.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65or over.

Fallsburg celebrates Francis Currey Day each year in honorof Francis S. Currey and other military veterans. Currey received a Medal ofHonor for his bravery in World War II.

The Living Torah Museum, an Orthodox Jewish museum, has abranch of the museum in Fallsburg.

An international retreat center Shree Muktananda Ashram is located in Fallsburg. The center provides a location for students of Siddha Yoga topractice the daily practices of sadhana.[14]

The Fallsburg Central School District serves the town of Fallsburg. The district is the "Home of the Comets". Schools in thedistrict include Benjamin Cosor Elementary School and Fallsburg Junior SeniorHigh School.

Two colleges in the area serve Fallsburg. Sullivan CountyCommunity College is located in Loch Sheldrake and  Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe is a privaterabbinical college located in South Fallsburg.[19][20]

Stagedoor Manor is a performing arts summer camp located inLoch Sheldrake, New York. Each summer Stagedoor Manor holds threethree-week-long sessions that start in late June and end in August.

The Fallsburg Library serves the town and is located inSouth Fallsburg. It has been in operation since 1991.

Two correctional facilities are located in the area andoperated by the New York State Department of Correctional Services. WoodbourneCorrectional Facility, a medium security men's prison and Sullivan CorrectionalFacility is a maximum security prison for male inmates .

Communities:

Divine Corners – A location north of Loch Sheldrake onCounty Road 105. 

Fallsburgh – The hamlet of Fallsburgh, formerly known as"Neversink Falls" or "Old Falls," or just plain"Fallsburg", is on Route 42.

Glen Wild – A hamlet by the south town line on CountyRoad  58.

Hasbrouck – A small hamlet, north of Loch Sheldrake onHasbrouck Road.

Hurleyville – A hamlet formerly called "Luzon Station”on CR 107.

Loch Sheldrake – A hamlet in the northwest part of the townon Route 52.

Mountaindale – A hamlet in the southeast part of the town onCR 54, formerly called "Sandburg."

South Fallsburg – A hamlet on SR 42 by the western townline.

Woodridge – The Village of Woodridge. Formerly known as"Centreville."

Woodbourne – A hamlet on Route 52 and north of Fallsburghamlet.

Named for the Civil War Gen. John C. Fremont, the Town of Fremont is located in the northwest part of the county. The town’s population was 1,381 at the 2010 census.

History

By a vote of the residents, the town was formed from part of the Town of Callicoon in 1851. When the town was first settled, around 1780,the absence of roads restrained growth, since the Delaware River provided the only means of entry. The town was known for its lumber and tannery industries in the 19^th Century.

Geography and climate

The northwest town line is the border of Delaware County, New York, and the southwest town line is the border of Pennsylvania (Wayne County), bounded by the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, which is managed by the National Park Service.

The climate of the town is typical of the interior northeast. Made up of hills of about 2,000 ft. in elevation and valleys under 1,000 ft. The majority of the town is forested with open fields scattered about.

The weather in the summer is cool with temperatures rarely reaching 90 and averaging in the 70's in the day and around 60 at night. In the spring and fall temperatures are very inconsistent with warm days in the 70'sand cold days with snow. The winters can be very cold, with average high's below freezing for most of the winter and nighttime temperatures often dropping to near 0. The average snowfall is upwards of 6 feet per year, with snow cover over the majority of the winter.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.2 square miles, of which, 50.3 square miles is land and 0.9 square miles is water surface.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,391 people, 563 households, and 394 families residing in the town. The population density was 27.6 people per square mile. There were 1,182 housing units at an average density of 23.5 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 94.75% White, 1.58%African American, 0.43% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.79% from other races,and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.

Of the 563 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 27.0%of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town the population includes 25.6% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,125,and the median income for a family was $40,938. Males had a median income of$29,338 versus $27,125 for females. The per capita income for the town was$18,087. About 13.2% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65or over. 

Communities and locations in Fremont

Acidalia – A hamlet by the northwest town line.

Basket – A hamlet in the western part of the town, east of Long Eddy.

Buck Brook – A location in the east part of the town.

Fernwood – A hamlet in the western part of the town near the north town line.

Fremont Center – A hamlet west of the town center on Routes 93,94, and 95.

Hankins – A hamlet believed to be the site of the first settlement. Hankins is located near the Delaware River in the western part of the town on Route 97. Located at Hankins and listed on the National Register of Historic Places are the Hankins District No. One Schoolhouse, Hankins Stone Arch Bridge, and Anthony Manny House.

Lakewood – A hamlet in the northeast part of the town.

Long Eddy – A hamlet in the extreme western part of the town by the Delaware River. The Riverside Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

Mileses – A hamlet in the western part of the town, west of Fremont Center.

Obernburg – A hamlet in the northeast part of the town along Route 95. Home of St. Mary's Church, the oldest church in the county. Also,named after Obernburg, Germany.

Pleasant Valley – A hamlet in the south part of the town.

Tennanah Lake (formerly Long Pond) – A hamlet in the northeast part of the town by a lake called "Tennanah Lake."

Delaware is a town in Sullivan County, New York. The population was 2,670 at the 2010 census.

The Town of Delaware is in the western part of the county. The Town of Delaware was formed in 1869 by subdivision from the Town of Cochecton.

Geography

The west town line, delineated by the Delaware River, is the border of Wayne County, Pennsylvania.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.3 square miles (91 km²), of which, 34.7 square miles (90 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (1.67%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,719 people, 956 households, and 657 families residing in the town. The population density was 78.3 people per square mile (30.2/km²). There were 1,337 housing units at an average density of 38.5 per square mile (14.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.31% White, 9.71% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.33% of the population.

There were 956 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 12.7% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $40,145, and the median income for a family was $45,875. Males had a median income of $37,700 versus $22,885 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,884. About 6.2% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Locations in the town

Callicoon (formerly Callicoon Depot) – A hamlet by the west town line. The community bears a name akin to the Town of Callicoon in the county.

Falls Mills – A hamlet in the southeast part of the town.

Hortonville – A hamlet east of Callicoon. The German Presbyterian Church and Hortonville Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Kenoza Lake – A hamlet, formerly called Pike Pond, in the southeast part of the town. The Stone Arch Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Kohlertown – A hamlet in the northeast part of the town.

Forestburgh is a town in the south-central part of Sullivan County, New York. The population was 819 at the 2010 census. It is where the Neversink River enters the Neversink Gorge and flows over High Falls.

History

The town was formed from parts of the Towns of Mamakating and Thompson in 1837. Forestburgh's main industries in its early years were tanning, quarrying and lumbering. The mountains on either side of Bushkill Creek contained quarries of flagging, curbing and building stone (also known as bluestone). The largest of these was Paradise Quarry in Oakland Valley. Stone from this quarry was used to construct the Episcopal Church in Monticello. Many of the old sidewalks in New York City were said to have come from this area. The largest tannery was at Gilman's Station, which was later renamed St. Joseph's Station. According to French's Gazette, published in 1858, there were thirty-nine tanneries within the township, producing 100,000 sides of leather annually.

The opening of the Monticello and Port Jervis Railroad in the 1870s stimulated the lumbering, tanning and quarrying industries. The railroad entered Forestburgh at the Town's northern border and extended through it in a southernly direction along the Bushkill Creek Valley. In addition to assisting the Town's industrial base, the railroad also brought summer residents from New York City. The population of the Town in 1870 was 916, greater than the present-day population of 833.

The quarrying industry began to decline in the late 1890s with the invention of concrete. The oak and hemlock bark used in tanning became scarce, signaling the end of the tanning industry. It was at this point, however, that the resort industry began to flourish in Forestburgh. Many homes in Oakland Valley began operating as boarding houses during the summer months when city residents came north on the train from New York. The Hartwood Club and Merriewold Park were born, and the Convent of St. Joseph's was established, along with summer camps for boys and girls and a Catholic boarding school.

By the mid-twentieth century the automobile caused the railroad to cease operation in Forestburgh. This substantially reduced the number of tourists who came to the town by train. Forestburgh slowly evolved into a rural-residential town, with many people commuting to jobs in nearby towns.

The Forestburgh Town Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

Geography

Part of the south town line is the border of Orange County, New York. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 56.8 square miles (147 km2), of which, 55.2 square miles (143 km2) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) of it (2.83%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 833 people, 327 households, and 222 families residing in the town. The population density was 15.1 people per square mile (5.8/km²). There were 500 housing units at an average density of 9.1 per square mile (3.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.68% White, 2.04% African American, 1.68% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.80% of the population.

There were 327 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town, the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $56,125, and the median income for a family was $60,139. Males had a median income of $37,500 versus $35,347 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,864. About 4.1% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Locations in the town

Hamlets:

Forestburg – The hamlet of Forestburgh at Routes 42 and 48, east of Forestburgh Pond.

Fowlerville – A hamlet northwest of Forestburgh village, located on route 44.

Hartwood – A hamlet east of Forestburgh village on Route 48.

Hartwood Club – A hamlet by the south town line.

Merriewold Park – A hamlet northeast of Forestburgh village.

Philwold – German for "Phil's Woods" named by Philip Wechsler in 1939 to refer to the area around the 5 homes built by architect Eugene Schoen as a Usonian community for the Weschsler family in 1939.

St. Josephs – A hamlet north of Forestburgh village by "St. Josephs Lake."

Squirrels Corner – A hamlet north of Forestburgh on Route 45.

Other locations:

Forestburg Scout Reservation

The Forestburg Scout Reservation lies completely within the borders of the Town. Owned and operated by the Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America (based in Morganville, NJ), FSR is a year-round reservation featuring two distinct but connected camps, the J. Fred Billett Camp and the Dan Beard Camp. The three most notable features of the reservation are Burnt Hope Lake, Tecumseh Rock and Darlington Falls. FSR is a sister camp to the Quail Hill Scout Reservation, located in Manalapan, NJ.

Neversink River Unique Area

The State of New York owns an extensive amount of land in Forestburgh that is under the supervision of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Foremost of this is the 4,881-acre (19.75 km2) Neversink River Unique Area, sometimes called the Neversink Gorge.

The Neversink River has been recognized by The Nature Conservancy as one of “75 Last Great Places” based on its superior water quality and ability to support rare and pollution-sensitive species of mussels, which occur in the Neversink River approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 km) below the Unique Area. The portion of the Neversink River flowing through Forestburgh has long been recognized as having an excellent trout fishery.

Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area

New York State also owns a considerable amount of land that straddles the Mongaup River in the Town of Forestburgh and the neighboring Towns of Lumberland (Sullivan County) and Deerpark (Orange County) and owns conservation easements (from Orange and Rockland Utilities and Clove Development Corp.) for many more acres, thus prohibiting future development. Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. and/or its parent company Mirant Corp. own 764 acres (3.09 km2) of land in Forestburgh along the Mongaup River.

There are public access opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, and boating. Eagle watching is extremely popular here in the winter, when bald eagles are numerous.

Pike County is a county located on the northeastern tip of Pennsylvania and borders both New York and New Jersey. As of the 2010 census, the population was 57,369. Its county seat is Milford. In 2006, Pike County was the fastest-growing county in Pennsylvania.

Pike County is statistically included in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Area.

History

Pike County was named for General Zebulon Pike. It was created on March 26, 1814 as subdivision of westerly Wayne County. Some English settlement in the area had started during the colonial period.

The longtime original inhabitants were the Lenape Native Americans, known by the English colonists as the Delaware Indians because their territory was along the Delaware River (as named by the colonists), as well as the coastal mid-Atlantic area. In 1696, Governor Benjamin Fletcher of the colony of New York authorized purchases of Indian land near the New York border by a number of citizens of Ulster County; their descendants became the first European settlers of what became Pike County.

Nicholas Depui was the first to settle in the area, in 1725. Thomas Quick moved to the area that would become Milford in 1733. Andrew Dingman settled on the Delaware River at the future site of Dingmans Ferry in 1735. The early settlers got along well with the Lenape and traded with them. As settlement increased and their land practices encroached on Lenape uses, land disputes arose. The colonists' infamous Walking Purchase of 1737 swindled the Indians out of more than half of present-day Pike County. As they realized what had happened, violent conflicts arose between the Lenape and the colonists.

 Early in the nineteenth century, coal was discovered nearby in the area that would become Carbondale. To get the coal to New York, developers proposed a gravity railroad from Carbondale to Honesdale, along with a canal from Honesdale to the Hudson River at Kingston.

The state of New York approved the canal proposal in 1823. Work on the 108-mile Delaware and Hudson Canal began in 1825 and was completed in 1828. The canal system which terminated at the Hudson River near present-day Kingston, proved profitable. But, the barges had to cross the Delaware via a rope ferry across a "slackwater dam," which created bottlenecks in the canal traffic and added greatly to the cost of transportation.

John Roebling proposed continuing the canal over the river as part of an aqueduct. Built in 1848, his innovative cable suspension design required only three piers, where five would ordinarily have been required; this allowed ice floes and timber rafts to pass under with less damage to the bridge. Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct is still standing, recognized as the oldest suspension bridge in the world. Restored by the National Park Service, it is a National Historic Landmark. The New York and Erie Railroad supplanted the canal and in 1898 the water route was abandoned.

His estate, Grey Towers in Milford was the home of future PA Governor Gifford Pinchot. A close friend of President Theodore Roosevelt, Pinchot would become the first director of US Forest Service. From 1904 to 1926, Grey Towers was the site of summer field study sessions for the Master's program of the Yale School of Forestry together with the Foresters Hall, a commercial building that was adapted and expanded for this purpose. Roosevelt visited at Grey Towers as did President John F. Kennedy in 1961

In 1926, the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company built a hydroelectric plant on Wallenpaupack creek at the former village of Wilsonville. The town was evacuated and now lies under Lake Wallenpaupack, created by the resulting dam. A crew of 2,700 men worked for two years to complete the dam for the project at a cost of $1,026,000. This required the acquisition of nearly a hundred properties, and a number of farms, barns, and homes were razed or moved. In addition, 17 miles (27 km) of roads and telephone lines were relocated, and a cemetery was moved to make way for the project.

Since the late 20th century, Pike County has been the fastest-growing county in Pennsylvania; between 1990 and 2000, its population increased by 65.2%, and it grew an additional 16.9% between 2000 and 2004. The area has relatively low state and county taxes, affordable housing, and Interstate 80 and Interstate 84 provide rapid commutes to New York City's northern suburbs.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 567 square miles, of which 545 square miles is land and 22 square miles (3.9%) is water surface.

The terrain rises rapidly from the river valley in the east to the rolling foothills of the Poconos in the west. The highest point is one of two unnamed hills in Greene Township that top out at approximately 2,110 feet (643 m) above sea level.[6] The lowest elevation is approximately 340 feet (103.6 m), at the confluence of the Bushkill and the Delaware rivers.

Population

As of the 2010 census, there were 57,369 people residing in the county. The county was 88.6% Non-Hispanic White, 6.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.2% Asian, and 1.7% were two or more races. 10.2% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.

As of the census of 2000, there were 46,302 people, 17,433 households, and 13,022 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile. There were 34,681 housing units at an average density of 63 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 93.10% White, 3.27% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.30% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 5.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.9% were of German, 18.6% Irish, 18.5% Italian, 6.2% English and 5.3% Polish ancestry.

There were 17,433 households out of which 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.30% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.06.

The population includes 26.70% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

Pike County has the largest percentage of same-sex couples in Pennsylvania.

Schools

Delaware Valley School District

East Stroudsburg Area School District (also in Monroe County)

Wallenpaupack Area School District (also Wayne County)

Communities

Boroughs

Matamoras, Milford (county seat)

Townships

Blooming Grove, Delaware, Dingman, Greene, Lackawaxen, Lehman, Milford, Palmyra, Porter, Shohola and Westfall

Census-designated places

Birchwood Lakes, Conashaugh Lakes, Fawn Lake Forest, Gold Key Lake, Hemlock Farms, Masthope, Pine Ridge, Pocono Mountain Lake Estates, Pocono Ranch Lands, Pocono Woodland Lakes, Saw Creek, and Sunrise Lake

Other notables associated with Pike County

Vanessa Carlton - (born 1980) singer/songwriter

Zane Grey - (1872-1939) author of western stories and novels including Riders of the Purple Sage

Louis Allen, a New York Army National Guard officer killed in a fragging incident in 2005 during the Iraq War.

Science fiction writers: James Blish, Damon Knight, Judith Merril and Kate Wilhelm (Mrs. Knight)  

Allyn Joslyn, stage and screen actor

Frank McCourt, author

Charles Sanders Peirce, a philosopher and polymath, lived on a farm near Milford, from 1887 until his 1914 death.

Mary Pickford, silent film actress

Al Pitrelli, guitarist

Tom Quick, notorious early settler

Marie Zimmermann designer and maker of jewelry and metalwork

Smoky Joe Wood, Pike native and baseball pitcher.

Robert Litzenberger, professor emeritus at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Lackawaxen Townshipis the largest and northernmost township in Pike County, Pennsylvania. Thepopulation was 4,994 at the 2010 census. The Delaware River, which marks theeastern boundary of the township, joins the Lackawaxen River at historicLackawaxen Village. The planned communities of Fawn Lake Forest, Tink-Wig Lakeand Masthope Mountain are in the township.

History

European-American settlers in 1798 adopted the Lenape nameLackawaxen, meaning "swift waters," after the river that flows twelvemiles through the township.

Bands of both Algonquian-speaking Lenape andIroquoian-speaking Seneca lived in the area through the early 19th century.Neither tribe had any substantial villages in the area, and they used the landas hunting grounds. Their tools, pot shards and bone fragments have been foundat Native American rock shelters and camp sites.

In 1770, Jonathan Conkling and John Barnes became the firstpermanent European settlers to build in the area.

 At the 1779 Battle ofMinisink at nearby Minisink Ford, NY, 48 European colonial militia were killedin an engagement with a band of Mohawks and tory loyalists led by Joseph Brant,a Mohawk who commanded forces for the British. A county park today marks thebattle site.

During the early part of the 19th century, logging was theprincipal commercial activity in the area. It produced as much as 50 millionboard feet (120,000 m³) of lumber annually. Workers floated logs downriver onthe Delaware to markets in Easton or Trenton.

In 1829, the Delaware and Hudson Canal began operatingbetween Honesdale, Pennsylvania and Kingston, New York. In its time, the canalcompany was the largest private commercial enterprise in the nation. It built28 locks in Lackawaxen Township alone, raising the elevation of the canal 278feet

John A. Roebling, famed engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge, builtthe Delaware Aqueduct, as part of the canal in 1848. It is the world’s oldestsurviving wire-cable suspension bridge and is now preserved by the NationalPark Service (NPS) as a National Civil Engineering Landmark and NationalHistoric Landmark.

Later in 19^th Century, the Erie Railroad broughttourism to the area and new sources of revenue; the rugged countryside of theupper Delaware Valley became a popular destination for urban tourists.

Bluestone quarrying became a major enterprise in themid-19th century. The distinctive shale was used extensively in theconstruction of the region's buildings and still remains in many sidewalks.

From 1905 to 1918, famed western author Zane Grey lived inLackawaxen with his wife and growing family. His early stories related hisexperiences of fishing along the upper Delaware. Listed on the NationalRegister of Historic Places, the Greys' home from 1914 to 1918 is preserved bythe NPS. Grey is buried in nearby Union Cemetery.

Geography

According to the US Census, the township has a total area of81.2 square miles of which, 78.4 square miles of it is land and 2.8 squaremiles are water surface. A scenic area within the Upper Delaware River NationalPark, Lackawaxen is located about a two-hour drive from New York City. It isalso located about twenty-two miles north-west of Milford, the county seat ofPike County.

Population

In 2010, the Census reported 2,099 households, and 1,453families residing in the township. The population density was 63.7 people persquare mile. There were 4,580 housing units at an average density of 58.4 persq mi. The racial makeup of the township was 94.2% White, 2.7% AfricanAmerican, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% fromother races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any racewere 4.2% of the population.

There were 2,099 households out of which 22.1% had childrenunder the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples livingtogether, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% werenon-families. 26% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% hadsomeone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average householdsize was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.85.

The population included 19.1% under the age of 18, 58.5%from 18 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older; and the median agewas 48.8 years.

The median income for a household in the township was$38,090, and the median income for a family was $46,856. Males had a medianincome of $35,758 versus $20,268 for females. The per capita income for thetownship was $19,119. About 7.4% of families and 9.7% of the population werebelow the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of thoseage 65 or over.

History

The Village of Shohola was settled in 1772. The 45 square mile township, extending from the Delaware River to Route 6 was formed on September 26, 1852.
While there were only a few farms in the area at first, growth began with the coming of the Erie Railroad in 1848. Seven years later, a bridge was built, replacing the ferry which connected Shohola with Barryville and the Delaware and Hudson Canal.
Boarding houses, which where once a rather large industry in Shohola, where replaced by vacation houses and these are being replaced by permanent residences.

The seal of Shohola township consists of a map of the Township with the four main bodies of water – Walker Lake, Twin Lakes, Delaware River and Shohola Creek, and the four state roads that lead into the township – Twin Lakes Road, Lackawaxen Road, Shohola Road (Route 434) and GAR Highway (Route 6). The two stars represent peace and tranquility, translations of the word SHOHOLA, as the Native Americans originally applied it to the peaceful, tranquil Shohola Creek. The Date 1852 was the date that the Township was legally formed.

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there are 2,088 people, 836 households, and 585 families residing in the township. The population density is 46.8 people per square mile (18.1/km²). There are 3,089 housing units at an average density of 69.2/sq mi (26.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township is 97.99% White, 0.14% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 3.64% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 836 households out of which 30.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.6% are married couples living together, 6.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% are non-families. 26.2% 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 2.47 and the average family size is 2.98.

In the township the population is spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 99.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $41,593, and the median income for a family is $46,207. Males have a median income of $38,080 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income for the township is $20,840. 6.2% of the population and 4.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.5% of those under the age of 18 and 5.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Recreation

Approximately one-third of Shohola is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with the Township containing a portion of the Delaware State Forest and sections of three state gamelands. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 45.9 square miles (118.8 km²), of which, 44.6 square miles (115.6 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.2 km²) of it (2.70%) is water.

Shohola Falls Recreation Area
Just off of Rt 6 in Shohola, is Shohola Falls. The falls are a multi-tier level of falls flowing from Shohola Creek and continuing down the river. An 8.2-mile loop hiking trail is provided for visitors.

Notable residents

‘Smoky’ Joe Wood, Boston Red Sox baseball pitcher.

Wayne County is a sixth-class county in Pennsylvania. The county's population was 52,822 at the time of the 2010 United States Census. The county seat is the Borough of Honesdale. The county was formed from part of Northampton County on March 21, 1798, and was named for the Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne.

The discovery of anthracite coal in northeastern Pennsylvania, in the early 1800’s, and the need to transport this fuel to New York City gave birth to: the Delaware and Hudson Canal, the American Railroad and the Borough of Honesdale.

 Farming, ice harvesting, lumbering, tanneries, children’s summer camps and boarding homes all contributed to the early Wayne County economy. Today, tourism, and farming and the second home industry and the related commercial enterprises continue to play an important part in employing the citizens of Wayne County.

Wayne County is made up of 28 local municipalities, 22 townships of the second class and 6 Boroughs. The County consists of 763 square miles or 488,265 acres of land. Between 1991 and 2000 residential land use has increased from 226,995 acres to 240,390 acres and agricultural land use has decreased from 161,037 acres to 149,552 acres. The industrial acreage of Wayne County increased from 528 acres to 978 while the commercial acreage increased from 9,762 to 14,254 acres.

Major highways in Wayne County are Interstate 380 & 84, U.S. Route 6 and Pennsylvania Route 191. Interstate 81 and New York Route 17 are located near Wayne County and also play an important role in the overall transportation framework of the County. All airports in Wayne County are privately owned. The largest of these airports being the Cherry Ridge Airport in Cherry Ridge Township and Spring Hill Airpark in Sterling Township.

The terrain of the county is varied. In the wider northern half, the land is rugged along its border with New York State, while the southern portion tends to be swampier. Higher hills and mountains are predominantly found along the county's western edge, while lower ones are more common in the east, near the Delaware River. The middle section of Wayne County is a wide plain.

The highest elevation in the county, 2,659 ft., is the summit of Mount Ararat in Orson. Two other summits at the north end of the same ridge also exceed 2,640 ft. in elevation. The county's lowest point, at approximately 680 ft. above sea level, is along the Delaware, near Wayne County's border with Pike County, Pennsylvania.

The borough's population was 4,480 at the time of the 2010United States Census.

Honesdale is located 32 miles northeast of Scranton in arural and farming area that provides many recreational opportunities, such asboating, fishing, hiking, hunting, skiing, biking, skateboarding, and rafting. Itowes its name to former New York City Mayor Phillip Hone, who was influential inthe creation of the Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Canal. In 1829 it became the westerlystarting point of the 108-mile-long canal, which provided water transport forcoal shipped to Honesdale on a gravity railroad from southerly LackawannaCounty’s mountains. The canal ran to Kingston, New York, where it was trans-shippedand sent down the Hudson River to New York City. In the mid-19th century theexpansion of railroads reduced the canal’s use and led to its abandonment in1898.

Honesdale was originally called Dyberry Forks and was laidout as a village in 1826 when the D & H Canal was under construction. Itwas incorporated as a borough on January 28, 1831.

The Honesdale’s Residential Historic District and the D& H Canal are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Honesdale is the location where the first commercial steamlocomotive ran on rails in the United States. Imported by the D&H Company fromEngland, the “Stourbridge Lion” on August 8, 1829, ran three miles on a hastilyconstructed rail bed to Seelyville, and returned. Considered impractical forhauling coal from the mines, the Stourbridge Lion never ran again. Acombination of stationary steam engines and gravity powered the movement ofcoal to Honesdale from Carbondale’s mines.

The Wayne County Historical Society Museum, located in the formerD&H Canal Co. office Honesdale exhibits a full-scale replica of theStourbridge Lion. A majority of the canal route was incorporated into thesubsequent highway system, but many portions in both NY and PA survive forvisitors to see.

The Stourbridge Lion was sold for scrap, but some of itsparts are on display at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore,Maryland.

Honesdale is located at Global coordinates: 41°34′27″N75°15′21″W. The borough has a total area of 4.0 square miles which, is dividedby the Lackawaxen River and Dyberry Creek.  The waters contain fish and other aquatic lifeand attract hundreds of ducks, as well as eagles and other raptors.

The 2010 Census lists 2,086 households, and 1,147 familiesresiding in the borough. The population density was 1,148.7 people per squaremile. There were 2,357 housing units at an average density of 604.4 per squaremile. The racial makeup of the borough was 96.8% White, 0.9% African American,0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.2% from two ormore races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population. Themedian income for a household in the borough was $32,644, and the median incomefor a family was $42,088.

The hospital serving Honesdale and the surroundingcommunities is Wayne Memorial Hospital. It is a successful and progressivenonprofit community hospital of 112 beds and does approximately 75 milliondollars of net revenue of business annually. The Hospital offers a wide arrayof advanced health services and is clinically affiliated with the WayneMemorial Community Health Centers and The Commonwealth Medical College.

Honesdale High School is part of the Wayne Highlands SchoolDistrict. The school's sports teams are called the Hornets. The high school is locatedon the top of Terrace Street and overlooks the town. The district has anenrollment of 2,756. Wayne Highlands schools in Honesdale also include the StourbridgePrimary School, Lakeside Elementary and Wayne Highlands Middle School. The websitek12.niche.com ranked Wayne Highlands as the 105^th best of 497 PA districtssurveyed in 2017.