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In 1824 |
Benjamin Schoonover, a blacksmith, constructed
the first foundry. |
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In 1836 |
County boundary lines were changed to include Middle
Smithfield Township
in Monroe
County, named for President James Monroe. |
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In 1920
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Laborers working for the township were paid
$2.50 per day and shoveled snow from the roadways by hand. |
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In 1938
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The Middle Smithfield Township Consolidated
School was dedicated. The school is
now known as Middle
Smithfield
Elementary School
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In 1947
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Laborers working for the township were paid .75 per hour. |
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In 1955
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Two days of heavy rain from Hurricanes Connie and Dianne caused flooding
of the Bushkill Creek and
other waterways washing out roads and sweeping homes away.
74 people in
Monroe
County lost their lives as a result of the flooding. |
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In 1964
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A tractor trailer parked along Route 209 was reported on fire at
4:08 am. Firemen from the Marshalls
Creek
Fire Company responded to fight the blaze unaware that the truck was carrying
explosives. The truck exploded
killing six people, including three of the firemen. |
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In 1965
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Congress established the Delaware
Water Gap National Recreation Area to manage the lands that will surround
the future Tocks Island Reservoir. |
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In 1966
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To help control Gypsy Moths, the PA Department of Forest and Water
proposed a quarantine of lumber products including patio furniture. |
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In 1967
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Township Supervisors adopted a resolution granting Blue Ridge
Broadcasting Inc. to extend TV Cable service into the township. |
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In 1968
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John Leap and Paul Strausser discovered the skeletal remains of an Ice
Age mammal while harvesting peat at Leap's Lakeside Peat and Hummus Company. The
Marshalls Creek Mastodon now resides at the
William
Penn
Museum
in
Harrisburg
. |
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In 1970
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The Census showed the township population at 1,508 persons. |
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In 1972
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Mr. and Mrs. Karl Hope gifted over 2 acres of land to
Middle
Smithfield
Township
and the first township building was erected.
This land is the site of the
Schoonover
Municipal
Center
and other township buildings. |
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In 1974
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A Township Resolution was passed to allow painting of center lines on the
main traveled blacktop roads in an attempt to reduce the number of accidents. |
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In 1975
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The Delaware River Basin Commission voted 3 to 1 against constructing the
Tocks Island Dam. |
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In 1980
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The township population was 3,497 persons.
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In 1982
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Laborers working for the township were paid
$5.40 per hour. |
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In 1990 |
The Census population was at 6,382
persons. |
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In 2000 |
The Census population was at 11,495 persons. |
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In 2000
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Between
1990 and 2000, Monroe
County
was the second fastest growing County in the State (second only to
its neighbor to the north,
Pike
County), and Middle Smithfield Township was the third fastest growing Township within the
County.
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In 2000
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The first cellular tower in the Township was
given approval to be constructed on the property of Fernwood. |
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In 2001 |
The first "Halloween Walk" was held at
the newly purchased Middle Smithfield Township Park at Echo Lake on Route 209. |
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In 2002 |
Thyme and thyme Again is selected as the first
recipient of the Middle Smithfield Township business Beautification Award |
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In 2003 |
Supervisors unanimously carried a Resolution
establishing Regional Open Space and Recreational property on Mt. Nebo
Road. |
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In 2003 |
Establishment of a Pennsylvania State Police
Substation at the Township's Foxmoor Building is approved. |
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In 2004 |
Middle Smithfield Township purchased a new park
property at 60 Municipal Drive. |
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In 2004 |
As his Eagle Scout Project, Adam Schuett coordinated
the efforts of the Boy Scouts and the Middle Smithfield Township park
Commission to install a sand volleyball court at Resica Park. |
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In 2005 |
Township Supervisors announced efforts to formulate
documentation of our township history. This was begun by holding an event
known as "The Memory Makes Luncheon" for residents 65 years of
age and older who have lived in the township for 30 years or more. This
event has become an annual favorite. |
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In 2006 |
An Open House and Dedication ceremony was held
to celebrate the completion of additions and alterations to the Schoonover
Municipal Complex. |
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In 2006 |
With heavy rains on June 28th, causing stream
and river flooding , prompted the Middle Smithfield Supervisors to adopt a
Resolution Declaring a State of disaster Emergency. |
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In 2006 |
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum
Commission approved a grant award of $5,000 to the township for the
archaeological dig at the River's Edge Regional Park. |
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In 2006 |
Township Supervisors carried a motion to rename
the park located at 60 Municipal Drive to the Judy Putek Memorial
Municipal Park after the late Judy Putek. Judy had championed for and was
dedicated in her work towards securing open space and funds for the
township. |
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In 2007 |
The Census showed the township population at
14,5773 persons. |
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In 2007 |
As of July 31st the zip code for the township
was changed from 18301 to 18302. |
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In 2008 |
A Conservation Easement was completed ensuring
that 4,000 acres at the Resica Falls Scout Reservation would be restricted
from development. This marks the end of a five-year effort that will
preserve mature woods, wetlands, three lakes and two waterfalls. The
reservation is open to the public. |
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In 2008 |
The Thomas F. Bonser Little League baseball
Field was dedicated on April 19th at Resica Elementary School. The field
is a gem, complete with dugouts, bleachers and a concession stand. |
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Did you know |
The latitude of Middle Smithfield Township is
41.083N. the longitude is -74.993W. |
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