Quakertown, Pennsylvania

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Quakertown is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of 2020, it had a population of 9,359.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref> The borough is Template:Convert south of Allentown and Bethlehem and Template:Convert north of Philadelphia, making Quakertown a border town of both the Delaware Valley and Lehigh Valley metropolitan areas.

Quakertown is considered part of the U.S. Census Bureau's Philadelphia−Camden−Wilmington (PA−NJ−DE-MD) MSA and the Delaware Valley. Richland Township surrounds Quakertown.

Quakertown is located Template:Convert south of Allentown and Template:Convert northwest of Philadelphia.

History

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Richland Friends Meeting House, the Quaker meeting house in Quakertown in August 2016
Liberty Hall in Quakertown in August 2016

The region of Quakertown was initially referred to as the Great Swamp, a wilderness inhabited by Native Americans, specifically the Lenape tribe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Quakertown was originally settled by Quakers.

18th century

On September 18, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, a convoy of wagons carrying the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to Allentown, under the command of Col. Thomas Polk of Charlotte, North Carolina, stopped in Quakertown. The Liberty Bell was stored overnight behind the home of Evan Foulke (1237 West Broad Street), and the entourage stayed at the Red Lion Inn. The John Fries' Rebellion was also started in the Red Lion Inn in 1799.Template:Citation needed

19th century

In 1801 the community became officially known as Quakertown. Just two years later, in 1803, the first post office bearing the name Quakertown opened. During this period, Quakertown functioned as a stopping point for travelers between Philadelphia and Allentown. Although many travelers used Quakertown as a stopover, the town remained a small community of german and welsh farmers.<ref name="boro">Template:Cite web</ref>

In the decades before the Civil War, Quakertown was a hub of the Underground Railroad, with stationmaster Richard Moore aiding over 600 freedom seekers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Civil War, along with national economic expansion, changed Quakertown from a tiny village to a commercial manufacturing center. In the 19th century, local industrial establishments included cigar and cigar box factories, silk mills, harness factories, and stove foundries.Template:Citation needed

In 1854, Quakertown elected its first Burgess. North Pennsylvania Railroad facilitated access to the area, which brought about a great increase in population; by 1880, Quakertown's population reached nearly 1,800.<ref name="boro"/>

20th century

Quakertown has four historical areas or structures that have been named to the National Register of Historic Places; Liberty Hall, Quakertown Historic District, Quakertown Passenger and Freight Station, and Enoch Roberts House.<ref name="nris">Template:NRISref </ref>

Until 1969, Quakertown generated its own electric power.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

From 1901 to 1951, Quakertown was an hourly stop on the Lehigh Valley Transit Company's electric interurban trolley line from Allentown and Coopersburg through Quakertown then south through Perkasie, Sellersville, Souderton, Lansdale and Norristown to Philadelphia. With car use limited during World War II due to gasoline rationing, the trolley line moved a very large number of passengers.Template:Citation needed

Following World War II, however, its business collapsed, and it ceased operation in 1951. The Lehigh Valley Transit station in Quakertown, located at the northwestern corner of Main and Broad streets across from the Red Lion Inn, still stands and its historical significance is marked on the former station's wall. The train ran in through the center of Main Street on its southbound route to Perkasie.<ref>Lehigh Valley Transit Company's Liberty Bell Route : A Photographic History with Chronology, Historical Recollections and Bibliography: William J McKelvey Jr</ref>

21st century

As of 2022, Quakertown has extensive mall development along Pennsylvania Route 309, including restaurants, businesses, and retail outlets.Template:Citation needed

Quakertown's population has grown steadily throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. In 1900, it was 3,014. It rose to 3,801 in 1910. By 1940, the population was 5,150. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,979.Template:Citation needed

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of Template:Convert, all land. Licking Run begins in passes through Quakertown from the west to the east and drains into the Tohickon Creek. Tohickon Creek, which drains into the Delaware River, flows past the northeastern edge of the borough.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Quakertown has a Hot-summer, Humid continental climate (Dfa). Dfa climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ Template:Convert, at least four months with an average mean temperature ≥ Template:Convert, at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ Template:Convert and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are slightly humid in Quakertown, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values > Template:Convert. Since 1981, the highest air temperature was Template:Convert on July 22, 2011, and the highest daily average mean dew point was Template:Convert on August 1, 2006. The average wettest month is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was Template:Convert on September 30, 2010.

During the winter months, the average annual extreme minimum air temperature is Template:Convert.<ref name="USDA">Template:Cite web</ref> Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was Template:Convert on January 22, 1984. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < Template:Convert. The average annual snowfall (Nov-Apr) is between Template:Convert and Template:Convert. Ice storms and large snowstorms depositing ≥ Template:Convert of snow occur once every few years, particularly during nor’easters from December through February.

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Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Quakertown has a dominant vegetation type of Appalachian Oak (104) with a dominant vegetation form of Eastern Hardwood Forest (25).<ref name="Conservation Biology Institute">Template:Cite web</ref> The plant hardiness zone is 6b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of Template:Convert.<ref name="USDA" /> The spring bloom typically begins by April 12 and fall color usually peaks by October 28.

Demographics

Template:US Census population As of the census of 2020,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> there were 9,359 people living in the borough. The racial makeup of the borough was 88.3% White, 5.3% African American, 2.0% Asian, 2.7% from other races, 0% Pacific Islander, 0% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.4% of the population.

As of 2000 census,<ref name="GR2" /> there were 8,931 people, 3,421 households, and 2,251 families living in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 3,631 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 94.46% White, 1.20% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.88% of the population.

There were 3,421 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.11.

In Quakertown, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $41,942, and the median income for a family was $51,194. Males had a median income of $33,697 versus $26,988 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $20,562. About 3.7% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Former municipal building in Quakertown Historic District

Quakertown has a council-manager system of government. The borough has a seven-member Borough Council elected at-large to four-year terms. The council appoints a Borough Manager who manages the daily operations of the borough.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of 2017, the members of Borough Council are President James Shapley, Vice President Donald E. Rosenberger, Jon Roth, Michael Johnson, Douglas Propst, Lisa J. Gaier, Esq., and Jann Paulovitz.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Legislators

Transportation

Roads

Template:Stack As of 2018, Quakertown had Template:Convert of public roads, Template:Convert of which were maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Template:Convert of which were maintained by the borough.<ref name=PennDOTmap>Template:Cite web</ref>

Quakertown is accessible by four major state highways:

Bus

Quakertown has intercity bus service provided by three carriers:

Train

Quakertown had passenger rail service from the Quakertown station along the Bethlehem Line to Bethlehem and Philadelphia until it was discontinued in July 1981 by SEPTA, which ended service on all its intercity diesel-powered lines.<ref>Template:Williams-Philadelphia</ref> Due to the numerous industrial complexes in Quakertown, the borough currently has freight rail service provided by a branch of the East Penn Railroad along the former SEPTA tracks.<ref name=espnmap>Template:Cite map</ref>

Air

Quakertown Airport, a public general aviation airport, is located just outside Quakertown, in Milford Township.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Utilities

Quakertown provides various utility services to businesses and residents. The Borough of Quakertown Electric Department provides electricity to the borough. The borough has operated its own electric department since the early 1890s and generated its own electricity until 1969, with electricity now purchased wholesale.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Borough of Quakertown Water Department provides water to the borough, operating ten wells and three storage facilities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Borough of Quakertown Sewer Department provides sewer service to the borough, operating a wastewater treatment plant.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Natural gas service in Quakertown is provided by UGI Utilities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Borough of Quakertown Sanitation Department provides trash and recycling collection.

Health care

St. Luke's University Health Network operates St. Luke's Upper Bucks Campus hospital outside the borough in Milford Township, serving the northern portion of Bucks County.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The hospital was opened as Quakertown Community Hospital, located within the borough of Quakertown, on June 5, 1930, and was acquired by St. Luke's University Health Network in August 1995.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> St. Luke's Quakertown Campus was replaced by St. Luke's Upper Bucks Campus on December 14, 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

St. Luke's Upper Bucks Campus offers an emergency room and various inpatient and outpatient services including women's health services, surgical services, heart and vascular services, radiology services, and wound care.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Grand View Health and Lehigh Valley Health Network jointly operate the Health Center at Quakertown, which offers various outpatient services such as laboratory services, X-rays, and cardiac testing along with physician offices focusing on cardiology, orthopedics, primary care, specialty care, and pediatrics.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Police and fire

West End Fire Company in Quakertown in August 2016

Police services in the borough are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by the Quakertown Borough Police Department, which consists of a Chief, Detective Lieutenant, Administrative Sergeant, two Patrol Sergeants, two Detectives, twelve Patrol Officers, and three support staff.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Fire protection in Quakertown and surrounding areas is provided by the Quakertown Fire Department, a volunteer fire department which operates the Quakertown Fire Company #1-Station 17 on West Broad Street and the West End Fire Company-Station 18 on Park Avenue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

Template:Further Quakertown Community School District serves public school students in the borough.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Quakertown Elementary School, a historic school, and Neidig Elementary School, both located within borough limits, serve students in grades K-5 based on where they live. The Sixth Grade Center serves borough students in sixth grade, Strayer Middle School serves grades 7-8, and Quakertown Community High School serves grades 9-12.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia operates St. Isidore school, located in Quakertown, for many parochial school students. The borough is also home to the United Friends School.

Notable people

References

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