Northumberland, Pennsylvania

Northumberland County is located in Central Pennsylvania in the beautiful Susquehanna Valley. Part of an Appalachian Plateau that was overridden by glaciers over 12,000 years ago.  Northumberland is graced with many plants and animals from both southern Appalachians and northern Allegheny regions.

With a population in 2000 of 94,556, and a land area of 460 square miles, Northumberland County is a rural area with an agrarian economy. The average farm size is 193 acres. The pristine, unspoiled beauty of the countryside attracts many tours including Fall Foliage Tours, photography Tours and Covered Bridge Tours. The famous Keefer's Station Covered Bridge is near Snydertown, in Northumberland County, and included in PA Covered Bridge Tours. The bridge was built in 1888 and was adjacent to a railroad station.

Lake Milton is famed for the variety in fishing: walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish. Rangers have also stocked smallmouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch, white bass and muskellunge. Hunting, picnicking, swimming, and many other outdoor activities are popular here. Shikellamy State Park is shared with Union County. Comprising 78-acres on the western shore of the Susquehanna River, it offers a Marina on the southern tip of Packer's Island.

The Northumberland County Courthouse is located in the county seat of Sunbury. The county was established on March 21, 1772.

The Susquehannok, Delaware, Shawnee, and Muncy Indian tribes claimed this area as their home. Original settlers here were Germans in 1760's, and Scots-Irish in the 1770's. Thomas Edison helped with the lighting of the first commercial building using 3-wire electrical system in Sunbury, on July 4, 1883.

Weis Markets, Inc. is the largest single employer in Northumberland County.

Back to Pennsylvania Communities Page