Editing Picture Rocks, Pennsylvania

{{short description|Borough in Pennsylvania, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Picture Rocks, Pennsylvania
|settlement_type = [[Borough (Pennsylvania)|Borough]]
|nickname = 
|motto =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline = Picture Rocks, Pennsylvania 1.jpg
|imagesize = 250px
|image_caption = Heading north on [[US Route 220]] into Picture Rocks
|image_flag = 
|image_seal =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = File:Lycoming County Pennsylvania Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Picture Rocks Highlighted.svg
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location of Picture Rocks in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
|image_map1 = Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lycoming County.svg
|mapsize1 = 250px
|map_caption1 = Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lycoming County

<!-- 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 = [[Lycoming County, Pennsylvania|Lycoming]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes = 
|government_type = 
|leader_title = 
|leader_name = 
|leader_title1 = 
|leader_name1 = 
|established_title = Settled
|established_date = 1848
|established_title1 = Incorporated
|established_date1 = 1875

<!-- Area -->
|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 16, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude = 
|area_total_km2 = 2.59
|area_land_km2 = 2.52
|area_water_km2 = 0.07
|area_total_sq_mi = 1.00
|area_land_sq_mi = 0.97
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.03

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes = <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>
|population_total = 643
|population_density_km2 = 254.77
|population_density_sq_mi = 660.16

<!-- General information -->
|timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|elevation_footnotes = <ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
|elevation_m = 197
|elevation_ft = 646
|coordinates      = {{coord|41|16|48|N|76|42|42|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code = 17762
|area_code = [[Area code 570|570]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 42-60136<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>
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 1193116<ref name="GR3" />
|footnotes = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
| website = https://picturerocksborough.com
}}
'''Picture Rocks''' is a [[Borough (Pennsylvania)|borough]] in [[Lycoming County, Pennsylvania]], United States. The [[United States Census 2020|2020 census]] measured the population at 640.<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=16 July 2022}}</ref> It is part of the [[Williamsport, Pennsylvania]] [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Notable person==

Picture Rocks is the birthplace of [[Warren Sprout]], who won a shooting gold medal at the [[1912 Olympic Games|1912 Olympics]].

==History==
Picture Rocks was incorporated as a [[Borough (Pennsylvania)|borough]] on September 27, 1875 from land formerly included in [[Wolf Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania|Wolf Township]].  However, its recorded history began a century earlier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://picturerocksborough.com/boroughgovernment/history/|title = History – Picture Rocks Borough}}</ref>  The earliest settlers arrived in 1773 and observed Indian [[pictograph]]s (no longer extant) in the [[Muncy Creek]] valley.  The borough occupies the site of a [[Munsee]] Indian village, evidenced by arrowheads and other relics found in the vicinity of the creek.

[[File:Picture Rocks, Pennyslvania 2.jpg|thumb|left|The borough hall in Picture Rocks]]
The [[Province of Pennsylvania]] issued the first [[Warrant (law)|warrant]] for property in the Picture Rocks area to Henry Rody on June 3, 1773. The land remained largely undeveloped passing through several hands until it was sold in 1848 to A. R. Sprout and Amos Burrows.  The two founded Picture Rocks. Sprout and Burrows cleared the land of the rocks, logs and brush. They also rebuilt an abandoned [[sawmill]] and established a factory that manufactured sashes, doors, and window blinds. This factory, the first of its kind in the area, caused a stir among local [[carpenter]]s who believed that the ready made building materials would curtail their craft.  The factory was later used by the Burrows Brothers Furniture Company before becoming the Handle and Excelsior Company.  Another factory, located at the present intersection of [[U.S. Route 220 in Pennsylvania|U.S. Route 220]] and Factory Street, manufactured ladders.  Picture Rocks continues as a [[wood processing]] center.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lewislp.com/our-history/ | title=Our History }}</ref>

The town grew as other manufacturers arrived to harness [[water power]] provided by Muncy Creek. The prohibitionist organizers of the town required persons purchasing [[Land lot|lots]] in Picture Rocks to sign an agreement stating that they would not open a [[Bar (establishment)|saloon]] or engage in the trafficking of [[liquor]]. The borough remains a dry municipality.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Search {{!}} Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | url=https://www.lcb.pa.gov/Licensing/Topics-of-Interest/Documents/Dry_Municipalities_List.pdf | access-date=2025-03-27 | website=www.lcb.pa.gov}}</ref>

The [[Baptists]] of Picture Rocks organized an 1840 meeting at the school house. A traveling minister arrived in Picture Rocks one Saturday evening and found the school to be unfit for Sunday gatherings. After preaching the following morning, he rallied the members of the congregation to the cause of building a proper house of worship. Under the guidance of their new pastor, the members of the Baptist Church built a log church. Twenty-five years later the congregation replaced it with a larger facility.

At the time of the borough's creation, Center Street was the primary thoroughfare.  The stately homes built by the Burrows and Sprout families remained along Center Street and were identified by their square shape with low pitched roofs some with a widow's watch.

Borough resident John Wesley Little achieved international fame for his watercolor landscapes and images of rural farms and animals.  His former studio and home is located along Water Street.  His paintings remain highly sought after in the regional market.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sites.rootsweb.com/~pasulliv/settlers/settlers25/JWLittle.htm#:~:text=John%20Wesley%20Little%2C%20a%20renowned%20Pennsylvania%20artist%2C%20and,War%20casualty.%20While%20John%20Wesley%20was%20still%20a | title=John Wesley Little }}</ref>

The borough boasts two churches, a Baptist Church on Elm Street and a United Methodist Church on Laurel Street.

Located within the East Lycoming School District, Picture Rocks is home to George A. Ferrell Elementary School.  This K-6 elementary school is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.  The school was originally a fully inclusive school for students in first through twelfth grades with its own sports program.  In 1946 the school joined with others in neighboring Hughesville and nearby Lairdsville to form the [[East Lycoming School District]].

==Geography==
Picture Rocks is located at {{coord|41|16|48|N|76|42|42|W|type:city}} (41.280066, -76.711731),<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> in southeastern Lycoming County. It is bordered by [[Wolf Township, Pennsylvania|Wolf Township]] to the west, [[Shrewsbury Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania|Shrewsbury Township]] to the north and [[Penn Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania|Penn Township]] to the east and south.<ref>{{cite map
 |scale       = 1:65,000
 |publisher   = Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division
 |url         = ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/lycoming_GHSN.PDF
 |title       = "2007 General Highway Map Lycoming County Pennsylvania"
 |access-date  = 2009-12-27
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110705233653/ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/lycoming_GHSN.PDF
 |archive-date = 2011-07-05
}}</ref> [[As the crow flies]], Lycoming County is approximately {{convert|130|mi|km|0}} northwest of [[Philadelphia]] and {{convert|165|mi|km|0}} east-northeast of [[Pittsburgh]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough has a total area of 0.9&nbsp;square mile (2.4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all  land.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 321
|1890= 510
|1900= 614
|1910= 576
|1920= 526
|1930= 548
|1940= 537
|1950= 569
|1960= 594
|1970= 570
|1980= 615
|1990= 660
|2000= 693
|2010= 678
|2020= 640
|estyear=2021
|estimate=636
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|footnote=Sources:<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="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=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>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 693 people, 274 households, and 198 families residing in the borough. The population density was {{convert|740.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 288 housing units at an average density of {{convert|307.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the borough was 98.41% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.29% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.43% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.87% from two or more races.

There were 274 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% 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 2.99.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $36,375, and the median income for a family was $45,568. Males had a median income of $31,103 versus $21,667 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $15,402. About 8.5% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

==See also==
*[[History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania]]

==References==
{{commons category}}
{{reflist}}
{{cite book
 | last = Meginness
 | first = John Franklin
 | title = History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania: including its aboriginal history; the colonial and revolutionary periods; early settlement and subsequent growth; organization and civil administration; the legal and medical professions; internal improvement; past and present history of Williamsport; manufacturing and lumber interests; religious, educational, and social development; geology and agriculture; military record; sketches of boroughs, townships, and villages; portraits and biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, etc. etc. 
 | year = 1892
 | url = http://www.usgennet.org/usa/pa/county/lycoming/history/lyco-history-01.html
 | access-date = 2007-02-22
 | edition = 1st
 | publisher = Brown, Runk & Co.
 | location = Chicago
 | isbn = 0-7884-0428-8
 | chapter = Borough of Picture Rocks
 | chapter-url = http://www.usgennet.org/usa/pa/county/lycoming/history/Chapter-31.html
 | quote = (Note: ISBN refers to Heritage Books July 1996 reprint. URL is to a scan of the 1892 version with some [[Optical Character Recognition|OCR]] typos).
}}

{{Lycoming County, Pennsylvania}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Boroughs in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1773]]
[[Category:1773 establishments in Pennsylvania]]