Cresson, Pennsylvania
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| Cresson, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cresson |
| Settlement type | Borough |
| Pushpin label | Cresson |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Pennsylvania |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Cambria County |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | 1854 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | 1902 |
| Government type | Borough Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Area total km2 | 1.66 |
| Area land km2 | 1.66 |
| Area water km2 | 0.00 |
| Area total sq mi | 0.64 |
| Area land sq mi | 0.64 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.00 |
| Elevation ft | 2047 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 1525 |
| Population density km2 | 918.7 |
| Population density sq mi | 2382.8 |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 40, 27, 46, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 16630 |
| Area code | 814 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 42-17168 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1213649 |
Cresson, Pennsylvania is a borough in Cambria County, situated within the scenic Allegheny Mountains. Its development was fundamentally shaped by the Pennsylvania Railroad and the region's rich bituminous coal mining history. Today, it is known for its proximity to the Conemaugh River and as the home of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, though the campus is located just outside the borough limits in neighboring Richland Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
History
The area's history is deeply intertwined with 19th-century transportation and industry. The settlement was formally established in 1854 around a critical railroad junction and maintenance facility for the Pennsylvania Railroad, named for engineer Elliott Cresson. The Cresson Railroad Station became a vital hub, and the borough was incorporated in 1902. The nearby Cresson Sanatorium, opened in 1913 as a state facility for treating tuberculosis, was a major employer and landmark for decades, later transitioning into the State Correctional Institution – Cresson. The region's economy was long powered by extensive bituminous coal mining operations, including the Barnesboro Mine and others operated by the Bethlehem Steel corporation, which drew a diverse population of immigrants from across Europe.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.64 square miles, all of it land. Cresson is located at an elevation of approximately 2,047 feet in the Allegheny Mountains, part of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. The borough lies near the headwaters of the Conemaugh River, with its topography characterized by the rugged terrain typical of the Allegheny Front. This high-altitude location places it within the Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 1,525. Historically, the population peaked in the early 20th century alongside the coal and railroad industries. The demographic composition has been significantly influenced by waves of immigration, with notable communities of Italian, Polish, Slovak, and Irish descent. Data from the American Community Survey indicates a median age above the state average, with a high rate of home ownership characteristic of many established Pennsylvania boroughs.
Economy
The historical economic pillars of the Pennsylvania Railroad and bituminous coal mining have given way to a more diversified base. A major present-day employer is the State Correctional Institution – Cresson, a state prison facility. The nearby University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania also provide significant employment. Local commerce serves the residential community and travelers along the U.S. Route 22 corridor, with some light industry and retail establishments.
Transportation
Cresson's origins as a railroad town continue to influence its transportation landscape. While passenger rail service via Amtrak's Pennsylvanian line no longer stops locally, major freight lines operated by Norfolk Southern Railway remain active. Road access is provided by U.S. Route 22 and Pennsylvania Route 53, connecting the borough to Altoona, Johnstown, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76). The nearest major airport is the Altoona–Blair County Airport.
Notable people
Several individuals with connections to Cresson have gained prominence. Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson, one of the famed New York Giants' "Big Six", spent his final years at the Cresson Sanatorium and died there in 1925. John Murtha, the long-serving U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, was born in Cresson. Charles Henry Grasty, a notable journalist and publisher for papers like the Baltimore Sun and The New York Times, was also a native of the borough.
Category:Boroughs in Pennsylvania Category:Cresson, Pennsylvania Category:Cambria County, Pennsylvania