|
 |
 |
|
Present Boundaries Harrisburg: In 1840, iron manufacture was begun there. Incorporated as a city in 1860, with 13,405 people, Harrisburg played an important part as a Union Army training center during the Civil War. In 1869 the city's boundaries were extended, a water supply was provided, and sewers and paving were begun. The canal, railroads, modern highways, and airports successively have helped make Harrisburg a prosperous, growing city. Population: 79,697.
History. In 1718, John Harris, from Yorkshire, England, having obtained a license "to seat himself on the Sasquahannah," established a trading pst at Paxtang, just east of the site of Harris-burg. In 1726, the proprietary colony of Pennsylvania granted him 500 acres (200 hectares) of land on the river above the present boundaries Harrisburg boundaries of Harrisburg. In 1733, they issued a second grant of 300 acres (120 hectares) on which Harris had commenced a settlement by about 1717. The second grant included part of the present boundaries Harrisburg city. Harris' enterprises, including the operation of a ferry and farming, all prospered, and when he died in 1748 he bequeathed their management to his son, also named John.
In 1775 the town of Paxtang was a gathering place for supplies and men for the American Revolutionary army. In 1785, Dauphin county was created, and the state assembly directed the establishment of a county seat "near Harris's Ferry." It was proposed to name the county seat Louisbourg, after Louis XVI, king of France, since the county was named for his son, the dauphin. But Harris refused to sell land for the projected seat until the name of Harrisburg was accepted.
In 1788 the first Harrisburg Convention was called by Pennsylvania anti-Federalists, who adopted 12 amendments to the federal constitution but failed to present boundaries Harrisburg their petition to the state legislature. Harrisburg was chosen to be capital of Pennsylvania in 1812. In 1828, the second Harrisburg Convention was called by the high-tariff faction of New England and the Middle States. The meeting's demand for increased duties on several manufactured articles led to the passage of the high-tariff act of 1828.
The Pennsylvania Canal was started at Harrisburg in 1826. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
