25-483: East Pikeland Township is a township in Chester County , Pennsylvania , United States. The population was 7,079 at the 2010 census. Pike's Land was the first name given to a grant of 10,000 acres (40 km) by William Penn to Joseph Pike from County Cork , Ireland , in 1705. It was eventually sold by Pike's descendants and in 1838 was split in two parts, East Pikeland and West Pikeland . East Pikeland
50-415: A 1938 map. The reason for the growth in the township over the years has been an influx of population that has found East Pikeland Township an attractive and practical place to live. The suburbanization of the township, as most areas, occurred as the availability of automobiles made the general population mobile. In 1940, the township population was 976. Space to house the ever-increasing population came from
75-443: A southwest–northeast alignment through southwestern and central portions of the township. PA 724 begins at PA 23 and heads northwest along Schuylkill Road through the northeastern portion of the township. At the 2010 census, the township was 93.8% non-Hispanic White, 1.9% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.9% Asian, and 0.9% were two or more races. 1.6% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry [1] . As of
100-1201: A tax collector and, in many townships, a panel of three auditors who annually audit all township accounts. The supervisors or commissioners of the township appoint a secretary and a treasurer, and may also appoint a township manager to coordinate township employees and operations. County governments may provide some or all municipal services to residents of townships, regardless of class and size, including trash collection or sewage processing. Some counties, though, leave individual municipalities to provide their own services; in some instances small groups of boroughs or townships may pool their resources to provide water, police, or other functions. The main areas of local services include police and fire protection, maintenance of local roads and streets, water supply, sewage collection and treatment, parking and traffic control, local planning and zoning, parks and recreation, garbage collection, health services, libraries, licensing of businesses and code enforcement. All municipalities in Pennsylvania, however, rely on county and state organized courts for probate, criminal, and civil court services. Under
125-508: A township of the first class and operate under the powers of the First Class Township Code, a township must have a population density of 300 inhabitants per square mile (120/km ) and voters therein must approve the change of classification in a referendum. The classes of townships differ primarily in the form of their administration. Townships of the second class are governed by a board of supervisors, elected at large by
150-634: The National Register of Historic Places . According to the United States Census Bureau , the township has a total area of 8.9 square miles (23 km), of which 8.8 square miles (23 km) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km) (1.23%) is water. As of 2019, there were 52.46 miles (84.43 km) of public roads in East Pikeland Township, of which 13.32 miles (21.44 km) were maintained by
175-527: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 39.14 miles (62.99 km) were maintained by the township. Pennsylvania Route 23 , Pennsylvania Route 113 and Pennsylvania Route 724 are the numbered highways serving East Pikeland Township. PA 23 follows Schuylkill Road and Ridge Road along a northwest–southeast alignment through the northeastern portion of the township. PA 113 follows Kimberton Road and Pike Springs Road along
200-530: The census of 2000, there were 6,551 people, 2,530 households, and 1,834 families residing in the township. The population density was 745.1 inhabitants per square mile (287.7/km). There were 2,604 housing units at an average density of 296.2 per square mile (114.4/km). The racial makeup of the township was 96.26% White , 1.36% African American , 0.08% Native American , 1.72% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 0.15% from other races , and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of
225-704: The 17th century during the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania prior to the American Revolution . Much of the province was then occupied by Native Americans , but the colonial administration in Philadelphia brought new counties and new settlements regularly. The first communities defined by the provincial state government tended to be rural, geographically large, and sparsely populated townships. Townships or portions of them tended to become boroughs after population growth or an increase in population density and, eventually, might to reincorporate at
250-584: The Cromby Power Station ( PECO ) and shopping centers along Routes 23 & 724 . The closing of the remaining one and two room school houses occurred in the 1950s, in favor of the regional school system. East Pikeland Township is a township of the second class operating under the Pennsylvania Second Class Township Code. The Board of Supervisors is the governing body, with three members elected at large by
275-772: The French Creek Boarding School for Girls in the 1830s and gave his name to the Village of Kimberton . East Pikeland today retains over 150 historically significant structures and sites. Those located in the historic Kimberton Village are the Kimberton Inn, the girls' school, Chrisman's Mill (now the Kimberton Post Office), the Kimberton Train Station and Pennypackers Mill. The Zion Lutheran Church on Route 724 holds
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#1732780139141300-570: The Pennsylvania constitution, each governmental entity has the right to choose its own form of self-government, and a limited ability to delegate powers and oversight to such entities as authorities, commissions and school boards. Any township, regardless of its class, may adopt a home rule charter, at which point it is no longer governed by the Pennsylvania Township Codes. While a home rule charter can incorporate unusual features, standard municipal functions are generally part of
325-400: The average family size was 3.07. In the township, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males. The median income for a household in
350-823: The characteristics of more-urbanized areas that might be associated with "towns." Because Pennsylvania's constitution provides for a progression of municipal structures based on population growth, it is not uncommon to have a township and borough of the same or similar name, generally adjacent within the same county. The 'town-like' borough might be partially or wholly surrounded by the remaining township from which it had split off. The government of Cold Spring Township ceased to function in 1961, when there were no candidates for office. Pennsylvania townships typically vary in size from 6 to 40 square miles (16–104 km ). There are two classifications of townships, first class and second class. The commonwealth initially incorporates all townships as second class townships. To become
375-489: The conversion of lands that had traditionally been dairy or wheat farms. Although some farms remain today, the predominant land use pattern in the central portion of the township is residential. The spread of suburban development has occurred primarily in the French Creek valley, along Cold Stream Road. Since World War II , the township has developed townhouse complexes, shopping centers, and industrial sites, including
400-559: The distinction of being the second oldest Lutheran Church in the United States, Rapps Bridge , and the Silver Bridge iron bridge on Hares Hill Road both have historic significance. East Pikeland Township has seen considerable change since the early part of the 20th century. The area around Kimberton saw expanded housing areas, as did the corridors near Routes 23 & 724 . Only the main roads were paved, according to
425-432: The electorate of the whole township for overlapping six-year terms. The number of supervisors can be increased to five by referendum. Townships of the first class, by contrast, have a board of commissioners. Between five and fifteen commissioners sit on this panel; they can be elected either at large or by wards within the township; and they serve for overlapping terms of four years in office. Other elected officials include
450-455: The legal entities providing local self-government functions. In general, townships in Pennsylvania encompass larger land areas than other municipalities , and tend to be located in suburban , exurban , or rural parts of the commonwealth. As with other incorporated municipalities in Pennsylvania, townships exist within counties and are subordinate to or dependent upon the county level of government. Townships in Pennsylvania were created in
475-548: The level of city. Initially, each municipal organization begins as a second-class township. When a sufficient population density, currently 300 people per square mile, was attained, the township had the option of holding a referendum and, if it passed, became a first-class township. The municipality could proceed to the level of borough or city in a similar fashion. Historically, this progression has often included border adjustments or mergers with other boroughs or townships. Many communities remain townships in spite of growth that brings
500-408: The population. There were 2,530 households, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and
525-410: The township was $ 72,850, and the median income for a family was $ 86,343. Males had a median income of $ 53,017 versus $ 40,500 for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 31,774. About 0.5% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over. Phoenixville Area School District operates public schools in
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#1732780139141550-552: The township. Students in grades nine through 12 attend Phoenixville Area High School in Phoenixville . Township (Pennsylvania) A township , under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , is the lowest level of municipal incorporation of government. All of Pennsylvania's communities outside of incorporated cities , boroughs , and one town have been incorporated into individual townships that serve as
575-616: The voters for staggered six-year terms. They are responsible for both the legislative and executive functions of the township. The township manager is appointed by the board and is responsible for the day-to-day business activities of the township. The manager coordinates the work of all operating departments and is directly responsible to the Board of Supervisors. The Continental Powder Works at French Creek , Hare's Hill Road Bridge , George Hartman House , Kimberton Village Historic District , Prizer's Mill Complex , and Rapps Bridge are listed on
600-562: Was a key element in a system of munitions supply that involved the Warwick and Reading iron furnaces near the headwaters of French Creek, which together with other furnaces such as Hopewell produced cannon and ammunition for Washington. The prime location of the mill on the creek with its long millrace was not forgotten after the war. Some of the mill buildings were reconstructed and over the next 150 years, continued to operate variously as oil, saw, grist and spoke mills. Mr. E. Kimber established
625-737: Was directly involved in the Revolutionary War , especially during the Philadelphia campaign of 1777 and 1778. It was a source of provisions for the Continental Army from its farms, mills and cottage industries. Military importance came in 1775 with the authorization by the Committee of Safety in Philadelphia to form the Continental Powder Works at French Creek . This gunpowder manufacturing complex
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