Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Characteristics and setting

The town occupies a compact downtown area of mixed historic and more recent architecture, with municipal offices and the county courthouse providing a concentration of public services. The Susquehanna River and nearby rolling hills of the Appalachian foothills shape local recreation, scenery and land use. Transportation corridors and local roads connect Bloomsburg with regional centers and rural townships around the county.

History

Settlement at the site began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries; the community acquired its name from the Bloom family who settled in the valley. Over the 19th and 20th centuries Bloomsburg developed as a local market, administrative and manufacturing center for Columbia County. Its unique municipal status as an incorporated "town" reflects a historical choice of governance rather than a larger population size.

Economy, institutions and culture

The economy blends higher education, government services, retail, light manufacturing and agriculture. Bloomsburg University, a campus of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a prominent local institution that influences culture and commerce. Each autumn the community hosts a long-running agricultural fair that draws visitors from across the region and showcases livestock, crafts and entertainment.

Notable facts and visiting

• Only officially incorporated "town" in Pennsylvania.
• County government and courthouse located downtown.
• Home to a state university and a major annual fair.
• Scenic setting along the Susquehanna River with recreational opportunities.