Editing Smethport, Pennsylvania

{{short description|Borough in Pennsylvania, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Smethport, Pennsylvania
|other_name = 
|native_name = 
|nickname = 
|settlement_type = [[Borough (Pennsylvania)|Borough]]
|motto = 
<!-- images and maps ----------->
|image_skyline = McKean County Courthouse.jpg
|imagesize = 
|image_caption = McKean County Courthouse
|image_flag = 
|flag_size = 
|image_seal = 
|seal_size = 
|image_shield = 
|shield_size = 
|image_blank_emblem = 
|blank_emblem_size = 
|image_map = File:McKean County Pennsylvania Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Smethport Highlighted.svg
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location of Smethport in McKean County, Pennsylvania.
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|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 = [[McKean County, Pennsylvania|McKean]]
|government_footnotes = 
|government_type = Borough council
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name = [[Wayne V. Foltz (mayor)|Wayne V. Foltz]]
|leader_title1 = 
|leader_name1 = 
|leader_title2 = 
|leader_name2 = 
|leader_title3 = 
|leader_name3 = 
|leader_title4 = 
|leader_name4 = 
|established_title = Settled
|established_date = 1807
|established_title2 = Incorporated
|established_date2 = 1853
|area_magnitude = 
|unit_pref  = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_42.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 28, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_km2 = 4.36
|area_land_km2 = 4.21
|area_water_km2 = 0.15
|area_total_sq_mi = 1.69
|area_land_sq_mi = 1.63
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.06
|area_water_percent = 
|population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes = <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>
|population_note = 
|population_total = 1430 {{decrease}}
|population_density_km2 = 363.54
|population_density_sq_mi = 941.54
|timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|coordinates   = {{coord|41|49|N|78|27|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes = 
|elevation_m = 
|elevation_ft = 
|postal_code_type = [[Zip code]]
|postal_code = 16749
|area_code = [[Area code 814|814]]
|website = [http://www.smethportpa.org Borough of Smethport]
|footnotes = 
|pop_est_as_of = 2021
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|population_est = 1412
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 42-71248
}}
'''Smethport''' is a borough in, and [[county seat]] of, [[McKean County, Pennsylvania]], United States. The mayor is Wayne V. Foltz. The population was 1,430 at the 2020 census.<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/> Smethport is part of the [[Bradford, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area|Bradford, PA micropolitan statistical area]]. Smethport holds the record of having had the coldest temperature ever recorded in Pennsylvania: {{convert|-42|°F|°C|abbr=on}} on January 5, 1904.<ref name=":0" /><ref> https://patch.com/pennsylvania/across-pa/coldest-temperature-ever-recorded-pennsylvania </ref>

==History==
Smethport is situated in the [[Pennsylvania Wilds]] region, in a hilly area a short distance from the [[Allegheny National Forest]] and [[Kinzua Bridge State Park]]. Smethport is about two hours from [[Erie, Pennsylvania|Erie]] and [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]. The highest point on [[U.S. Route 6]] east of the Mississippi River is near Smethport at Bush Hill.

Smethport was founded in 1807 by Dutch land investors who were surveying a large tract of land they purchased from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and was named in honor of a Dutch banking family, the De Smeths, who financed the land investments. The town's first business was a water-powered sawmill built by John Applebee in 1822. Smethport became the [[McKean County, Pennsylvania|McKean County]] seat in 1826 and was incorporated as a [[Borough (Pennsylvania)|Borough]] in 1853. The sawmill's artificial pond is now the centerpiece of Hamlin Park. Smethport has ties to General [[Thomas L. Kane]]{{citation needed|date=January 2013}} who organized the [[13th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment|Bucktail Regiment]] during the Civil War; the borough is home to an active group of Bucktail re-enactors.

The borough has been the location of offices for several forest industry firms. From the 1870s to the early 1900s, Smethport was an important center for the East Coast hardwoods industry and enjoyed a timber-fueled economic boom that allowed the construction of many mansions that today make up a historic architectural district.

The first magnetic toys in the country were invented in Smethport in 1908. The [[Wooly Willy]] toy, a hit in the 1950s and still in production, was created in Smethport by Donald and James Herzog of the Smethport Specialty Company. In 2004 Smethport was selected as Pennsylvania's first Route 6 Heritage Community, as a part of a heritage tourism development program.

==Geography==
Smethport is located at {{Coord|41|49|N|78|27|W|type:city}} (41.8099, -78.4449).<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>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough has a total area of {{convert|1.7|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|1.7|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and 0.60% is water.

Smethport is at high altitude, namely {{convert|1488|ft|m}} above sea level, and near Prospect Hill, the summit of which is the highest point in [[McKean County, Pennsylvania|McKean County]],  rising above sea level {{convert|2495|ft|m}}.

[[Blacksmith Run]], [[Potato Creek (Pennsylvania)|Potato Creek]] and Marvin Creek run through Smethport.

<gallery>
File:Aerial shot of Smethport, PA taken by Pilot Jim Line.JPG|The above photo is an aerial view of Smethport (looking west) taken on May 4, 2008.  Click for a larger view.
</gallery>

===Climate===
This [[climate|climatic]] region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Smethport has a [[humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=435163&cityname=Smethport%2C+Pennsylvania%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Smethport, Pennsylvania]</ref>

The lowest temperature ever recorded in Pennsylvania, {{convert|-42|°F|°C|abbr=on}}, was at Smethport on January 5, 1904.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pub/data/special/mintemps.pdf |title=Record Lowest Temperatures by State |publisher=NOAA National Climatic Data Center |access-date=2015-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922153636/http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pub/data/special/mintemps.pdf |archive-date=2008-09-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  Smethport is tied with Lawrenceville for the state February record minimum temperature of {{convert|-39|°F|°C|abbr=on}}{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}.

The central Appalachian region has experienced some of the largest rainfall accumulations in the world at time intervals less than 6 hours, including the July 18, 1942, Smethport, Pennsylvania, storm that produced 780&nbsp;mm (30.7 inches) in less than 5 hours.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=James A. |last2=Baeck |first2=Mary Lynn |last3=Ntelekos |first3=Alexandros A. |last4=Villarini |first4=Gabriele |last5=Steiner |first5=Matthias |date=April 2011 |title=Extreme rainfall and flooding from orographic thunderstorms in the central Appalachians |journal=Water Resources Research |volume=47 |issue=4 |doi=10.1029/2010wr010190 |issn=0043-1397|doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 313
|1870= 231
|1880= 872
|1890= 1150
|1900= 1704
|1910= 1817
|1920= 1568
|1930= 1733
|1940= 1840
|1950= 1797
|1960= 1725
|1970= 1883
|1980= 1797
|1990= 1734
|2000= 1684
|2010= 1655
|2020= 1430
|estyear=2021
|estimate=1412
|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>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 1,655 people, 718 households, and 470 families residing in the borough. The population density was {{convert|1,009.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 801 housing units at an average density of {{convert|443.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the borough was 99.05% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.00% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.00% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.06% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.12% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.18% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 686 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $34,934, and the median income for a family was $42,153. Males had a median income of $30,962 versus $22,159 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $17,297. About 7.6% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable businesses==
Smethport Specialty Company, which manufactured [[Wooly Willy]] and other magnetic toys. (Sold to Patch Products, August 2008. Plant shut down February 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bradfordera.com/news/patch-products-shutting-down-smethport-facility/article_2e211194-8a32-11e3-aa13-001a4bcf887a.html | title=Patch Products shutting down Smethport facility }}</ref>)

America's First Christmas Store, opened in 1935 and was the nation's first year-round yuletide shop. (closed 2005)

Hamlin Bank and Trust Company, a community bank founded by Henry Hamlin in 1863. "[http://www.hamlinbank.com Hamlin Bank]"

Chef Specialties Company, founded in 1940, is America's first manufacturer and purveyor of pepper and spice mills.  "[http://www.chefspecialties.com Chef Specialties]"

Backus Company, a precision metal stamping manufacturer, founded in 1906.

==Education==
Smethport is served by the [[Smethport Area School District]]. It operates one elementary school and one high school.

<gallery>
File:SmethportHighSchool.JPG|Smethport High School (left) and Elementary School (right).  Click for a larger view.
</gallery>

==Trivia==

Smethport is the location of one of the largest, documented short duration storms in world history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Anthony R. |title=Not Texas, but 28.5 inches of rain once fell in just 3 hours … in Pa. |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/weather/philadelphia-weather-record-rain-smethport-pa-harvey-20170831.html |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=inquirer.com |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.smethportpa.org/ Smethport Borough - News Site]
* [http://www.smethporthubbers.net Smethport Area School District]
* [http://www.smethporthistory.org/ Smethport History]
* [http://www.smethportalumni.com/ Smethport Area High School alumni]
* [http://www.smethporthubbers.net/index.php?Weather%20Station%20Web%20Cam Smethport, PA Weather and Webcam]

{{McKean County, Pennsylvania}}
{{County Seats of Pennsylvania}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Smethport, Pennsylvania| ]]
[[Category:Boroughs in McKean County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:County seats in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1807]]
[[Category:1853 establishments in Pennsylvania]]