Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

On the Mighty Susquehanna!

Harrisburg sits on the beautiful Susquehanna River - one of the longest rivers on the East Coast! The river is over 440 miles long and flows right through the heart of the city. For centuries, Native Americans, then European settlers, used the river as a highway for transportation. Today, the riverfront has amazing parks, walking paths, and the City Island - a 63-acre island in the middle of the river with a baseball stadium, mini-golf, and arcade!

French Azilum - A Refuge for Royalty!

Did you know that French royalty once tried to build a secret town in Pennsylvania? In the 1790s, during the French Revolution, French aristocrats and supporters of Queen Marie Antoinette fled to Pennsylvania and created "Azilum" (French for "asylum" or "safe place") along the Susquehanna River! They hoped the Queen would escape and join them - they even built a grand house called "La Grande Maison" for her. Though she never made it, about 30 French families lived there, creating a little piece of France in the Pennsylvania wilderness!

The Gorgeous State Capitol!

Pennsylvania's State Capitol is one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL capitol buildings in America! President Theodore Roosevelt called it "the handsomest building I ever saw!" Built in 1906, it has a stunning green dome that looks like the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Inside, there are gorgeous murals, stained glass windows, and a rotunda that will make your jaw drop! The building is covered in sculptures and artwork - it's like a palace!

Chocolate Country!

Harrisburg is just 15 miles from Hershey, Pennsylvania - the CHOCOLATE CAPITAL OF AMERICA! Milton Hershey built his chocolate factory there in 1903, and today you can visit Hersheypark (an awesome amusement park!), Hershey's Chocolate World, and even smell the chocolate being made! The streetlights in Hershey are shaped like Hershey's Kisses! Harrisburg is so close, people joke that the air smells like chocolate!

Civil War Capital!

During the Civil War, Harrisburg played a SUPER important role! The city was a major transportation hub and training center for Union soldiers. In 1863, Confederate troops got SO CLOSE to Harrisburg that people could hear the Battle of Gettysburg happening just 40 miles away! The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg tells the complete story of the Civil War from both Union and Confederate perspectives!

Railroad City!

Harrisburg was a MAJOR railroad center! The Pennsylvania Railroad had huge operations here, and at one point, Harrisburg was one of the busiest railroad hubs in America! Trains carrying coal, steel, and goods from all over Pennsylvania passed through Harrisburg. Today, you can still ride Amtrak trains through the city's beautiful historic station!

Named After a Trader!

Harrisburg was founded in 1785 and named after John Harris, Jr., whose father ran a trading post and ferry service at this spot on the Susquehanna River. The location was PERFECT because it was at a narrow, shallow part of the river where people could easily cross. When Pennsylvania needed a new capital in 1812, they chose Harrisburg because it was in the center of the state and on the river!

Steel and Industry!

Pennsylvania was the HEART of America's steel industry, and Harrisburg was right in the middle of it all! The city had steel mills, iron foundries, and factories that helped build America! Nearby Bethlehem and Pittsburgh produced tons of steel for buildings, bridges, railroads, and ships. Harrisburg's location on the river made it perfect for shipping these heavy products!

Three Mile Island!

Just south of Harrisburg is Three Mile Island, famous for having America's most serious nuclear power plant accident in 1979. While it was scary at the time, the safety systems worked and prevented a major disaster! Today, it's an important reminder about nuclear safety. The incident led to MUCH better safety regulations for nuclear power plants across America!

Capital of a Keystone State!

Pennsylvania is called "The Keystone State" because it was right in the MIDDLE of the original 13 colonies - like the keystone in an arch that holds everything together! Harrisburg, as the capital, sits in the center of this important state. Pennsylvania was crucial to America's founding - the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were both signed in Philadelphia!

City Island Fun!

City Island is one of Harrisburg's COOLEST features! This 63-acre island in the Susquehanna River has a minor league baseball stadium (home of the Harrisburg Senators!), mini-golf, an arcade, walking paths, and even a Civil War-era steam train you can ride! You can walk across a pedestrian bridge to get there. In summer, it's the perfect place for families!

Pennsylvania Dutch Country!

Harrisburg is surrounded by Pennsylvania Dutch country! Despite the name, the "Pennsylvania Dutch" are actually German (the word "Deutsch" means German, and it got changed to "Dutch"!). You can visit Amish communities where people still live without electricity, use horse-and-buggies, and make amazing handmade furniture and quilts! The food is INCREDIBLE - shoofly pie, whoopie pies, scrapple, and chicken pot pie!

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