Lewistown

History

The borough was incorporated in 1795 and was named for William "Bill" Lewis, a Quaker and a member of the state legislature. He gained designation of the borough, which was known then as the Village of Ohesson, as the county seat of Mifflin County. During the late 19th century, Mifflin County became the crossroads of the Commonwealth. Located near the geographic center of the state, the area became a hub for traffic moving in every direction. Early roads crisscrossed the region, but it was the construction of the Pennsylvania Canal and the railroads that followed that gave stimulus to Mifflin County as an economic force in the state. Lewistown, as the major city in Mifflin County, saw its economy expand dramatically as entrepreneurs launched companies to construct canal boats or build inns offering lodging for travelers and workers. At its zenith, Mifflin County was one of the busiest centers for cargo and passenger traffic in the United States. But with the demise of the canal system, Mifflin County eventually lost its place as a major transportation hub. On April 16, 1861, as the American Civil War broke out, Lewistown sent its Logan Guards, a militia group formed in 1858, to defend the national capital of Washington, D.C. They were one of five companies, all recruited in Pennsylvania, to share the honor of being the first U.S. troops sent to the capital. Monument Square, situated at the intersection of Main and Market Streets in Lewistown, serves as a memorial to these men. Lewistown lost its role as a major transportation hub, but still boasted a strong industrial economy into the 1970s, when the county's industries began a slow decline. The effects of Hurricane Agnes in June 1972 crippled the local economy. On June 19, Hurricane Agnes made initial landfall…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , all land. The town's borders lie along the Juniata River. The source of the borough's city water comes from the Laurel Creek Reservoir, which is located in Seven Mountains going towards State College.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Mifflin Co HS
  High · Lewistown · 1,086 students · 13.9:1 ratio
• Mifflin Co JHS
  Other · Lewistown · 768 students · 13.5:1 ratio
• Mifflin Co MS
  Middle · Lewistown · 689 students · 13.5:1 ratio
• Lewistown Intrmd Sch
  Elementary · Lewistown · 503 students · 12.6:1 ratio
• Lewistown El Sch
  Elementary · Lewistown · 486 students · 9.7:1 ratio
• Indian Valley El Sch
  Elementary · Reedsville · 368 students · 10.8:1 ratio
• East Derry El Sch
  Elementary · Lewistown · 276 students · 12:1 ratio
• Strodes Mills El Sch
  Elementary · Mc Veytown · 237 students · 11.8:1 ratio