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Encyclopedia > Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Borough of Ephrata
none Main Street during the Ephrata Fair
Main Street during the Ephrata Fair
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Lancaster
Area 3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²)
 - land 3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²)
 - water 0.0 sq mi (0 km²), 0%
Center
 - coordinates 40°10′51″N 76°10′57″W / 40.18083, -76.1825Coordinates: 40°10′51″N 76°10′57″W / 40.18083, -76.1825
 - elevation 358 ft (109.1 m)
Population 13,213 (2000)
Density 3,672.7 /sq mi (1,418 /km²)
Incorporated August 22, 1891
Mayor Ralph Mowen
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 17522
Area code 717
Location of Ephrata in Lancaster County
Location of Ephrata in Pennsylvania
Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
Website : http://www.ephrataboro.org

Ephrata is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 38 miles (61 km) south east of Harrisburg and about 57 miles (91 km) west by north of Philadelphia. It is named after Ephrath, a biblical town in what is now Israel. Ephrata's sister city is Eberbach, Germany, the city where its founders originated. Ephrata is not a place known for manufacturing, though there has been, and still is, some small industry. In its early history, Ephrata was a pleasure resort and an agricultural community. This article is about the U.S. State. ... Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, known as the Garden Spot of America since the 18th century, is located in the southeastern part of the state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... is the 234th day of the year (235th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Metronome, a public art installation showing the time in New York City The Eastern Time Zone (ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of Northern America and the west coast of South America. ... -12 | -11 | -10 | -9:30 | -9 | -8 | -7 | -6 | -5 | -4 | -3:30 | -3 | -2:30 | -2 | -1 | -0:25 | UTC (0) | +0:20 | +0:30 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +3:30 | +4 | +4:30 | +4:51 | +5 | +5:30 | +5:40 | +5:45 | +6 | +6:30 | +7 | +7:20 | +7... Eastern Daylight Time or EDT is equal to: In North America, Eastern Standard Time + 1, or UTC − 4 hours. ... −12 | −11 | −10 | −9:30 | −9 | −8 | −7 | −6 | −5 | −4 | −3:30 | −3 | −2:30 | −2 | −1 | −0:25 | UTC (0) | +0:20 | +0:30 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +3:30 | +4 | +4:30 | +4:51 | +5 | +5:30 | +5:40 | +5:45 | +6 | +6:30 | +7 | +7:20 | +7... Area code 717 is an area code in south-central Pennsylvania, predominately used in the Harrisburg-Lancasater-York metropolitan areas. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1988x1806, 157 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Ephrata, Pennsylvania ... Image File history File links Pennsylvania_Locator_Map. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Map_of_USA_PA.svg‎ File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Pennsylvania ... Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, known as the Garden Spot of America since the 18th century, is located in the southeastern part of the state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the capital city of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ... Ephrath or Ephratah is the Biblical name of the ancient city in the Judean Hills, south of Bethlehem, now called Efrat in the West Bank. ... This article is about partnerships between towns distant from each other; see Twin cities for the different concept of physically neighbouring cities. ... The city of Eberbach (IPA: ) lies in northern Baden-Württemberg, 33 km east of Heidelberg, and belongs to the Rhein-Neckar-Kreis. ...


Ephrata's population has steadily grown over the last century. In 1900, 2,452 people lived there, in 1910, 3,192, and by 1940, the population had increased to 6,199 . The population was 13,213 at the 2000 census. 2000 US Census logo The Twenty-Second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13. ...

Contents

History

Ephrata is noteworthy for having been the former seat of the Mystic Order of the Solitary, a semimonastic order of Seventh-Day Dunkers. The community, which contained both men and women, was founded by Johann Conrad Beissel in 1732. The Ephrata Cloister or Ephrata Community was a religious community established in 1732 by Johann Conrad Beissel at Ephrata, in what is now Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. ... Johann Conrad Beissel (April, 1690 - July 6, 1768) was the German-born religious leader who in 1732 founded the Ephrata Community in Pennsylvania. ...


Many of the members were well-educated; Peter Miller, second prior of the monastery, translated the Declaration of Independence into seven languages, at the request of Congress. At the period of its greatest prosperity the community contained nearly 300 persons.[1] [2] The United States Declaration of Independence was an act of the Second Continental Congress, adopted on July 4, 1776, which declared that the Thirteen Colonies in North America were Free and Independent States and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to...


Geography

The surroundings of Ephrata are primarily rural in nature
The surroundings of Ephrata are primarily rural in nature

Ephrata is located at 40°10′51″N, 76°10′57″W (40.17870, -76.17744)[3].


Like the rest of the county, it is mostly flat land suitable for farming.


According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), of which, 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it is land and 0.28% is water. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ...


Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 13,213 people, 5,477 households, and 3,565 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,672.7 people per square mile (1,417.1/km²). There were 5,672 housing units at an average density of 1,576.6/sq mi (608.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.10% White, 0.64% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 2.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Image:1870 census Lindauer Weber 01. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... Hispanic Americans (Spanish: Hispano Americano) are Americans of Hispanic ethnicity who largely identify with the Hispanic cultural heritage. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ...


There were 5,477 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% 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. Matrimony redirects here. ...


In the borough the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.


The median income for a household in the borough was $41,550, and the median income for a family was $48,213. Males had a median income of $35,095 versus $22,782 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,659. About 3.7% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over. Per capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in their country. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...


Economy

An advertisement on the side of the former Sprecher's Hardware store, a mainstay of downtown Ephrata until its closure in the early 2000s
An advertisement on the side of the former Sprecher's Hardware store, a mainstay of downtown Ephrata until its closure in the early 2000s

Ephrata has a mix of large and small businesses of many types.

Law and government

The Pioneer Fire Company and the Veterans of Foreign Wars facility
The Pioneer Fire Company and the Veterans of Foreign Wars facility

Ephrata is a borough. The current mayor of Ephrata is Mayor Ralph Mowen. His term expires in December 2009. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW, is an American organization whose members are current or former members of the U.S. armed forces. ... Look up Borough in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...


Ephrata is also used to describe nearby Ephrata Township, Pennsylvania. Ephrata Township is a township located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. ...


The Ephrata area, as well as most of Lancaster County, is usually described as a Republican stronghold, rarely electing Democrats.


Elected Officials Representing Ephrata

Edward G. Ed Rendell (born January 5, 1944) is an American politician. ... Arlen J. Specter (born February 12, 1930) is a United States Senator from Pennsylvania. ... Robert Patrick Casey, Jr. ... Joseph R. Pitts (b. ...

Notable residents

This article needs cleanup. ... During World War II, the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (506th PIR) was a regiment of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army. ... The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)—nicknamed the “Screaming Eagles”—is an airborne division of the United States Army primarily trained for air assault operations. ...

Sites of interest

Museums and historic sites

The Ephrata Main Theater
The Ephrata Main Theater
  • Eicher Arts Center – Occupies Conrad Beissel's historic Eicher House. It also contains an Indian (Native American) museum and shop.
  • Ephrata Cloister
  • Ephrata Hospital – The old site is no longer occupied but can still be viewed from Main Street
  • Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley
  • Main Theater – The Main Theater built by the Stiefel brothers, held its grand opening the day after Christmas in 1938. The first film to show was "Just Around The Corner" starring Shirley Temple. In 1990, the Denver and Ephrata Telephone Company purchased the theater to restore the building and once again provide movies and live productions to the area. Many items from the original theater were preserved and incorporated into the reconstruction of a modern theater. The theater reopened November 12, 1993.
  • Mountain Springs Hotel – The site of the former hotel stands at the corner of Main Street (U.S. Route 322) and Spring Garden Street. Unoccupied for a long period of time, it was torn down in 2004 except for a small portion of the original building, which was preserved and renovated to be used as a conference center and, possibly, as a museum. A Hampton Inn was constructed at the site in September 2005. An Applebee's restaurant was also built and there are plans for a future office building.

Johann Conrad Beissel (April, 1690 - July 6, 1768) was the German-born religious leader who in 1732 founded the Ephrata Community in Pennsylvania. ... This article is about the people indigenous to the United States and their history after European contact, chiefly in what is now the United States. ... The Ephrata Cloister or Ephrata Community was a religious community established in 1732 by Johann Conrad Beissel at Ephrata, in what is now Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. ... For the cocktail named after this person, see Shirley Temple cocktail. ... This U.S. Highway article needs to be cleaned up to conform to both a higher standard of article quality and accepted design standards outlined in the WikiProject U.S. Highways. ... Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites are the names of a chain of hotels trademarked by Hilton Hotels Corporation. ... Applebee’s International, Inc. ...

Area attractions

A Caboose of the former Pennsylvania Railroad
The former train station
The former train station
  • Doneckers – Founded over 45 years ago, Doneckers originated as a Fashion Store and has since expanded to include a Restaurant, Fine Furniture Galleries, and Inns. Today, the Fashion Store offers three floors of shopping from 1,800 designers of women's, men's, and children's clothing and accessories, as well as unique items for the home, including fine linens and table settings. The Restaurant tempts patrons with innovative American cuisine, featured on lunch, casual, fine dining, and Chef's Tasting menus. The Fine Furniture Galleries provides shoppers with 52,000 sq. ft. filled with exceptionally crafted furniture and accessories at comfortable prices. Plus, design consultants are on hand to direct shoppers and assist in making selections. After shopping and dining, The Inns offer a relaxing escape in one of 31 quaint rooms, including fireplace and Jacuzzi suites.
  • Ephrata Area Community Theater
  • The Green Dragon – The Green Dragon comes alive every Friday morning, and only on Fridays. Thousands of local shoppers have visited this local attraction since 1932 for their weekly shopping from over 400 local growers, merchants and craftsmen. Located on a thirty acre site, the Green Dragon Market has grown to be one of the largest Farmers Markets in the area. Featuring over 20 acres of free parking, 7 large market buildings and many other smaller shops, the market offers visitors the choice of shopping indoors or outdoors.
  • The Ephrata Fair – Now the largest street fair in Pennsylvania, the fair dates back to October 1919, when local businessmen organized a one-day festivity to commemorateWorld War I veterans. Over the following years, the fair grew to include farmers celebrating the harvest; and it also grew in duration by several days. The popular parade was added in 1932. Today, the fair is held for five days during every September and attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. (1)

Look up Caboose in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 1893 map The Pennsylvania Railroad (AAR reporting mark PRR) was an American railroad that was founded in 1846 and merged in 1968 into Penn Central Transportation. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ...

Restaurants

Ten Thousand Villages is a program of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) started in 1946 that pioneered the concept of fair trade by buying crafts directly from artisans in the developing world and paying a living wage. ...

Lodging

Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites are the names of a chain of hotels trademarked by Hilton Hotels Corporation. ...

Shopping

Ten Thousand Villages is a program of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) started in 1946 that pioneered the concept of fair trade by buying crafts directly from artisans in the developing world and paying a living wage. ...

Public services

The Ephrata Area School District is a school district in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. ...

Sister city

Ephrata has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI): Sign denoting twin towns of Neckarsulm, Germany Town twinning is a concept whereby towns or cities in geographically and politically distinct areas are paired with the goal of fostering human contact and cultural links. ...

Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... The city of Eberbach (IPA: ) lies in northern Baden-Württemberg, 33 km east of Heidelberg, and belongs to the Rhein-Neckar-Kreis. ... Location Coordinates , , Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Administration Country NUTS Region DE1 Capital Stuttgart Minister-President Günther Oettinger (CDU) Governing parties CDU / FDP Votes in Bundesrat 6 (of 69) Basic statistics Area  35,752 km² (13,804 sq mi) Population 10,741,000 (11/2006)[1]  - Density...

General information

  • ZIP code: 17522
  • Area code: 717
  • Local phone codes: 721, 733, 738

References

  1. ^ Gibbons, Pennsylvania Dutch and Other Essays, (Philadelphia, 1872)
  2. ^ Sachse, The German Sectarians of Pennsylvania, two volumes, (Philadelphia, 1899-1900)
  3. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 123rd day of the year (124th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

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