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.
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.
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.
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]
Geography
Ephrata is located at 40°10′51″N, 76°10′57″W (40.17870,
-76.17744)1.
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 9.3 km² (3.6 mi²). 9.3 km² (3.6 mi²) of it
is land and 0.28% is water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 13,213 people, 5,477 households, and 3,565 families residing
in the borough. The population density was 1,417.1/km² (3,672.7/mi²). There were
5,672 housing units at an average density of 608.3/km² (1,576.6/mi²). 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.
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.
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.
Economy
Ephrata has a mix of large and small businesses of many types.
Law and Government
Ephrata is a borough. The current mayor of Ephrata is Mayor Ralph Mowen. His term expires in
December 2009.
Ephrata is also used to describe nearby Ephrata Township,
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
- Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell (D)
- Senior United States Senator Arlen Specter (R)
- Junior United States Senator Bob Casey, Jr. (D)
- United States Congressman Joseph R. Pitts (R)
- Pennsylvania State Senator Michael W. Brubaker (R)
- Pennsylvania State Representative Gordon Denlinger (R)
- Ephrata Mayor Ralph Mowen (R)
Sites of interest
Museums and historic sites
- 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.
Area Attractions
- 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)
Restaurants
Lodging
Shopping
Public services
Sister city
Ephrata has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):
General information
- ZIP code: 17522
- Area code: 717
- Local phone codes: 721, 733, 738
References
- ^ Gibbons, Pennsylvania Dutch and Other Essays, (Philadelphia,
1872)
- ^ Sachse, The German Sectarians of Pennsylvania, two volumes,
(Philadelphia, 1899-1900)
External links
pdc:Effridaa,
Pennsilfaani
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