North Catasauqua, Pennsylvania

Borough of North Catasauqua
small Town USA
Settlement
Homes in North Catasauqua
Nickname: small Town USA
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Northampton
Elevation 371 ft (113.1 m)
Coordinates 40°39′43″N 75°28′34″W / 40.66194°N 75.47611°W / 40.66194; -75.47611Coordinates: 40°39′43″N 75°28′34″W / 40.66194°N 75.47611°W / 40.66194; -75.47611
Area 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km2)
 - land 0.7 sq mi (2 km2)
 - water 0.04 sq mi (0 km2), 5%
Population 2,814 (2000)
Density 3,825.5/sq mi (1,477.0/km2)
Founded June 11, 1907
Mayor William Molchany, Jr.
Timezone EST (UTC-5)
 - summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Area code 610, 484
Location of North Catasauqua in Northampton County
Location of North Catasauqua in Pennsylvania
Location of Pennsylvania in the United States

North Catasauqua is a borough in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. North Catasauqua in located in the Lehigh Valley region of the state. The borough was founded in 1907. In August, 2008, Borough Council officially adopted and christened North Catasauqua as "small Town U.S.A.", with a campaign devised by the North Catasauqua Betterment Committee for the official recognition.

The population of North Catasauqua was 2,814 at the 2000 census.

Geography

North Catasauqua is located at 40°39′43″N 75°28′34″W / 40.66194°N 75.47611°W / 40.66194; -75.47611 (40.661896, -75.476015).[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.8 square miles (1.9 km2), of which, 0.7 square miles (1.9 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2) of it (2.67%) is water.

The Lehigh River and the Lehigh Canal and towpath provides the western border of the borough.

Government

The governing body consists of a 7-member Borough Council who are elected at-large by the citizens of the borough.[2] The Council President, Council Vice-President, and President Pro Tempore are selected by the council members. The borough secretary, borough treasurer, and a public works supervisor are selected by the council members and provide for the day-to-day operations of the borough.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19102,030—
19202,32114.3%
19302,70016.3%
19402,530−6.3%
19502,6293.9%
19602,8056.7%
19702,9414.8%
19802,554−13.2%
19902,86712.3%
20002,814−1.8%
20102,8491.2%
Est. 20152,828[3]−0.7%
Sources:[4][5][6]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 2,814 people, 1,136 households, and 791 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,825.5 people per square mile (1,468.2/km2). There were 1,186 housing units at an average density of 1,612.3 per square mile (618.8/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.73% White, 0.46% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.81% of the population.

There were 1,136 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% 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 2.98.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $39,375, and the median income for a family was $47,214. Males had a median income of $35,324 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,424. About 5.2% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

History

In 1907, the citizens of western Allen Township met at the Northampton Hotel, and signed a petition declaring the formation of the Borough of North Catasauqua. This petition was submitted to the county in early June, the final decree of incorporation was made on June 11, and was officially entered into the records on June 17. Shortly after the incorporation was made official, the first borough elections were held, with William H. Thomas becoming the first burgess, an office equivalent to a present-day mayor.

Located between the larger boroughs of Catasauqua in Lehigh County, and Northampton in Northampton County, North Catasauqua quickly grew as businesses and residents came into the new borough. Eventually a police department was formed along with the Charotin Fire Department in 1909. A new combined firehouse and municipal building was built in 1911; prior to this, fire-fighting equipment was housed at the Hoffman and Follweiler stables. Church services were held around the borough at various places of worship including St. Lawrence Church (built in 1857), St. Andrew’s Church (built in 1903), and Holy Trinity Church (built in 1903).

On June 14, 1947, the borough celebrated the opening of the North Catasauqua Park and Playground, built on 4 acres (16,000 m2) of land purchased from Northampton County. At the time, the park included a war memorial, complete with flagpole and monument (erected in 1945); playground equipment; a baseball diamond; and 95 Sycamore trees. The park and playground quickly became a popular spot for play and recreation, as well as band concerts, picnics, the borough Christmas tree, and carnivals. The Willowbrook Golf Course has played an important role in the borough’s development. The golf course was originally a private five-hole course built by Colonel James Fuller on the Willowbrook Farm Estate to entertain personal friends and executives visiting the Fuller Company in Catasauqua. In 1932, the golf course opened as a private nine-hole course leased to Dr. Calvin Miller from Mrs. Dorothy Fuller, the Colonel’s widow. The golf course was open to the public in 1934 as a way to pay for expenses. The golf course has grown over the years and has become a popular course for local residents and area golfers. Today the golf course offers 18 holes, a driving range, clubhouse, and pro shop.

In 1913, the North Catasauqua School District razed the four-room Allen Township schoolhouse so that a new one could be built. The new school building housed grade 1-8 and featured, what were at the time, state-of-the-art amenities. After a merger of North Catasauqua and Catasauqua school districts in 1953, the school housed elementary grades 1-6 until June 1972. In 1975, North Catasauqua Borough obtained possession of the building and transferred the municipal offices to the site in 1976. In 1995, extensive renovations took place and a rededication ceremony was held in 1996. The municipal building now houses the borough police department, borough offices, council chambers, a meeting room, fire department administrative headquarters, as well as room for future expansion.

The Charotin Fire Department was relocated to the municipal building site in 1980 with the building of a new combined fire station and public works garage. The North Catasauqua Public Works Department moved to its present location at the Main Street complex when the old Charotin fire station and municipal garages were sold in 1986. A public works building was built in 1983 at the Main Street complex. This new building included garages and an office, and allowed all of the public works’ equipment to be housed in one building. In 2004, an additional building was erected. This new facility allows for increased storage and includes bigger garage bays, offices, a break room, and shower facilities for employees. Additionally, a paved pathway leading down to the Lehigh Canal towpath and Lehigh River was also created, along with a parking lot, for future public recreation at the river. North Catasauqua Borough celebrated the centennial of its incorporation with a year-long centennial celebration in 2007.

Notable natives and residents

Public education

The borough is served by the Catasauqua Area School District.

Sheckler Elementary School (Fourteenth Street, Catasauqua, PA) serves K-4 grades

Catasauqua Middle School (Pine Street, Catasauqua, PA) serves 5-8 grades

Catasauqua High School (Bullshead Road, Northampton, PA) serves 9-12 grades

References

  1. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  2. ↑ "Borough Officials - North Catasauqua". Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  5. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
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