Editing New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

{{short description|Borough in Pennsylvania, US}}
{{Distinguish|Bethlehem, Pennsylvania}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| other_name               = 
| native_name              = 
| nickname                 = 
| settlement_type          = [[Borough (Pennsylvania)|Borough]]
| motto                    = <!-- images and maps ----------->
| image_skyline            = New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (8483246390).jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Building at the intersection of Broad Street (PA Route 28) and Wood Street (PA Route 66) looking east in downtown New Bethlehem<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.google.com/maps?q=new+bethlehem+pa&ll=41.001342,-79.337425&spn=0.028696,0.048494&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hnear=New+Bethlehem,+Clarion,+Pennsylvania&gl=us&t=h&z=14&layer=c&cbll=41.001418,-79.331441&panoid=JPaiXqBAr3EG8mdvvX6hPw&cbp=11,30.58,,0,0.64 | title=Google Maps}}</ref>
| image_flag               = 
| flag_size                = 
| image_seal               = 
| seal_size                = 
| image_shield             = 
| shield_size              = 
| image_blank_emblem       = 
| blank_emblem_size        = 
| image_map                = File:Clarion County Pennsylvania Incorporated and Unincorporated areas New Bethlehem Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250x200px
| map_caption              = Location of New Bethlehem in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.
| image_map1               = Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Clarion County.svg
| mapsize1                 = 175px
| map_caption1             = Map showing Clarion County in Pennsylvania
| pushpin_map              = Pennsylvania
| pushpin_label            = New Bethlehem
| pushpin_label_position   = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_caption      = 
| pushpin_mapsize          = <!-- Location ------------------>
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Pennsylvania]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Pennsylvania|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Clarion County, Pennsylvania|Clarion]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = Borough Council<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://newbethlehemboro.com/about-us/borough-council |title=Borough Council &#124; New Bethlehem Borough |access-date=2013-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220011448/http://newbethlehemboro.com/about-us/borough-council |archive-date=2013-12-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Gordon V. Barrows
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| leader_title2            = 
| leader_name2             = 
| leader_title3            = 
| leader_name3             = 
| leader_title4            = 
| leader_name4             = 
| established_title        = Settled
| established_date         = 1840
| established_title1       = Incorporated
| established_date1        = 1853
| area_magnitude           = 
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='42'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 1.34
| area_land_km2            = 1.21
| area_water_km2           = 0.13
| area_total_sq_mi         = 0.52
| area_land_sq_mi          = 0.47
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.05
| area_water_percent       = 
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
| population_note          = 
| population_total         = 978
| population_density_km2   = 809.92
| population_density_sq_mi = 2098.71
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset               = -5
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -4
| coordinates              = {{coord|41|00|12|N|79|19|51|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 
| elevation_ft             = 1070
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 16242
| area_code                = 
| website                  = {{URL|www.newbethlehemboro.com}}
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 42-53248
| name                     = 
}}
'''New Bethlehem''' ({{IPAc-en|n|uː|ˈ|b|ɛ|θ|.|l|ʌ|m|}} {{respell|new|BETH|lum}}) is a [[Borough (Pennsylvania)|borough]] in [[Clarion County, Pennsylvania|Clarion County]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. The population was 979 at the 2020 census.<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=17 July 2022}}</ref> The borough is situated at the southwestern corner of the [https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/ConservationLandscapes/PennsylvaniaWilds/Pages/default.aspx Pennsylvania Wilds Conservation Landscape]. Its main street, PA Route 28-66, is a major thoroughfare between the [[Greater Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh metropolitan region]] and northcentral Pennsylvania. The designated tourism agency for Clarion County is [https://discoverclarioncounty.com/ Discover Clarion County]

==Geography==
[[File:New Bethlehem Sign.jpg|thumb|right|Sign welcoming visitors to New Bethlehem before crossing over the Redbank Creek from Armstrong County.]]
New Bethlehem is located along the southern border of Clarion County at {{coord|41|0|12|N|79|19|51|W|type:city}} (41.003302, -79.330935).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> It is in the valley of [[Redbank Creek (Pennsylvania)|Redbank Creek]], which separates the borough from [[South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|South Bethlehem]], [[Armstrong County, Pennsylvania|Armstrong County]] to the south.

[[Pennsylvania Route 28]] passes through the borough, crossing Redbank Creek into [[South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|South Bethlehem]], then leading southwest {{Convert|20|mi}} to [[Kittanning, Pennsylvania|Kittanning]] on the [[Allegheny River]]. To the northeast, PA 28 leads {{convert|20|mi}} to [[Brookville, Pennsylvania|Brookville]] and [[Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 80]]. [[Pennsylvania Route 66]] intersects PA 28 in the center of New Bethlehem and leads north {{convert|13|mi}} to I-80 and {{convert|16|mi}} to [[Clarion, Pennsylvania|Clarion]], the [[county seat]]. PA 66 travels with PA 28 southwest to Kittanning. [[Pennsylvania Route 861]] leads west from New Bethlehem {{convert|12|mi}} to [[Rimersburg, Pennsylvania|Rimersburg]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough of New Bethlehem has a total area of {{convert|1.3|km2|disp=flip}}, of which {{convert|1.2|sqkm|disp=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqkm|disp=flip|2}}, or 9.92%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4253248| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): New Bethlehem borough, Pennsylvania| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=April 24, 2015| archive-url=https://archive.today/20150424144015/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4253248| archive-date=April 24, 2015| url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Main Street, New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by J. C. Barnes.jpg|left|thumb|Main Street, New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by J. C. Barnes, c. 1870s]]
One of the prominent early settlers of the borough was Henry "Gum" Nolf (alternative spellings include Nulph), who built the first store, grist-, and saw-mill.<ref>''History of Clarion County''. Davis, A.J., ed. "Chapter LXI: History of New Bethlehem Borough," L. L. Himes. Available online at https://archive.org/stream/historyofclarion00davi#page/550/mode/2up</ref> The town was first referred to as "Gumtown" in honor of Nolf,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Brookville American 06 Aug 1953, page 11 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/346614334/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> but subsequently was named "Bethlehem", and later "New Bethlehem" to distinguish it from [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]], in the eastern part of the state.

==Demographics==
[[File:New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (8483233756).jpg|left|thumb|St. Charles Roman Catholic Church (201 Washington Street) built in 1872 and the third church to be built in the town<ref>
{{Citation
 | editor-last = Davis
 | editor-first = A.J.
 | title = History of Clarion County
 | place = Syracuse, NY
 | publisher = D. Mason & Company
 | year = 1887
 | page = 558
 | url = https://archive.org/details/historyofclarion00davi
 }}
</ref>]]
{{US Census population
|1860= 380
|1870= 348
|1880= 773
|1890= 1026
|1900= 1269
|1910= 1625
|1920= 1662
|1930= 1590
|1940= 1622
|1950= 1604
|1960= 1599
|1970= 1406
|1980= 1441
|1990= 1151
|2000= 1057
|2010= 989
|2020= 979
|estyear=2021
|estimate=975
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="USDecennialCensus">{{cite web|title=Census of Population and Housing|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=11 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref><ref name=CensusPopEst>{{cite web|title=Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|work=Population Estimates|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=11 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611010502/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|archive-date=11 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:42&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,057 people, 489 households, and 274 families residing in the borough. The population density was {{convert|2,217.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 575 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,206.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the borough was 98.49% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.76% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.09% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.09% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.09% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.47% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.57% of the population.

There were 489 households, out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. 40.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 19.0% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 26.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 81.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.4 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $25,069, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $30,750 versus $20,469 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $17,796. About 13.9% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Peanut Butter Festival==
The city is home to an annual [[Peanut Butter]] Festival, celebrating its 23rd year in 2018. Though the town is home to the [[The J.M. Smucker Company|Smucker's]] peanut butter factory, the company does not sponsor the festival. However, the company does provide peanut butter for sale by the case or jar in a variety of flavors including ''Honey and Peanut Butter'' and ''Chocolate and Peanut Butter''. J.M. Smucker also provided a $2,000 and $1,000 savings bond to the winner and first runner-up, respectively, of the Peanut Butter Festival Queen competition in 2018. The Peanut Butter Festival is a Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event and is mainly set in the Gumtown Park.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06257/721601-34.stm| title=Tale of Peanut Butter Festival is spread thin |last=Batz| first=Bob| date=September 14, 2006| work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| publisher=PG Publishing Co., Inc.| access-date=16 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Nine Girls Vie for Peanut Butter Crown |work=New Bethlehem Peanut Butter Festival |publisher=The Leader-Vindicator & Jeffersonian Democrat |page=C4 |location=New Bethlehem, PA |date=September 12–13, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=23 Facts and Tips for the 23rd Peanut Butter Festival |work=New Bethlehem Peanut Butter Festival |publisher=The Leader-Vindicator & Jeffersonian Democrat |page=C3 |location=New Bethlehem, PA |date=September 12–13, 2018 }}</ref>

==Flood of 1996==
On July 19, 1996, a flood hit New Bethlehem as well as other parts of Pennsylvania.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://triblive.com/x/leadertimes/news/s_728402.html#axzz3aEs8TKlr| title=v |last=Shuster| first=Patrick| date=March 21, 2011| work=TribLIVE| access-date=15 May 2015}}</ref> Reports state that the [[Redbank Creek (Pennsylvania)|Redbank Creek]] was over seven feet above flood stage, and much of the downtown area was underwater. Redbank Valley High School was shut down. It took a few months to clean and fix the damage until students were allowed to attend again. On a garage east of the Redbank Valley High School there is a line that shows how high the water level was at its highest point.
<gallery>
File:RVHS Football Field July 1996.jpg|The football field at [[Redbank Valley Junior/Senior High School]] in July 1996 at 920 Broad St, New Bethlehem, PA. The announcer's booth can be seen at the left.
File:Toms Riverside Grocery Store New Bethlehem PA 1996.jpg|Tom's Riverside, a grocery store at 632 Broad Street, in New Bethlehem, PA, in July 1996 during the flooding.
File:VFW Broad Street New Bethlehem PA 1996.jpg|Flooding along east Broad Street in New Bethlehem, PA, in July 1996 showing the [[VFW]] Hall (526 Broad St, New Bethlehem, PA 16242) and automotive dealership and service garage. 
</gallery>

==Redbank Valley Trail==
[[File:Redbank Trail at Bostonia Spur.jpg|thumb|left|Redbank Trail at Bostonia Spur between mile markers 19 and 20 just outside New Bethlehem.]]
New Bethlehem is one of the towns through which the [https://www.redbankvalleytrails.org Redbank Valley Trail] passes. The trail extends 41 miles from the [[Allegheny River]], winding along the Redbank Creek to [[Brookville, Pennsylvania|Brookville]]. The trail was chosen as Trail of the Year in 2014 by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.kittanningpaper.com/2014/01/30/redbank-valley-trail-chosen-as-2014-trail-of-the-year/43252 |title = &#124; Redbank Valley Trail Chosen as "2014 Trail of the Year"}}</ref> The trail is built on a former rail corridor with the final train traveling through New Bethlehem on November 5, 2007, removing the tracks as it moved toward Brookville.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=2017 will be a milestone year for Redbank Trail corridor |url=http://www.thecourierexpress.com/the_leader_vindicator/news/local/will-be-a-milestone-year-for-redbank-trail-corridor/article_7704a11e-d291-11e6-9860-57124b139483.html |work=[[The Leader Vindicator|Leader-Vindicator]] |date=2017-01-04 |access-date=2018-05-19}}</ref>

==Education==
New Bethlehem is home to the [[Redbank Valley School District]] and two of the districts school buildings, its baseball fields and football and soccer fields. [[Redbank Valley Junior/Senior High School]] and Redbank Valley Primary School are both within borough limits.

The district's third school building, Redbank Valley Intermediate School, is located in [[Hawthorn, Pennsylvania|Hawthorn, PA]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redbankvalley.net/ |title=Redbank Valley School District |access-date=September 18, 2018}}</ref>

==Notable person==
* [[Ossee Schreckengost]] - [[Baseball]] player, born in New Bethlehem (1875)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.newbethlehemarea.com Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.redbankvalley.net Redbank Valley School District]
* [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06257/721601-34.stm Peanut Butter Festival] from the ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]''

{{Clarion County, Pennsylvania}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places established in 1840]]
[[Category:Boroughs in Clarion County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1840 establishments in Pennsylvania]]