Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Solebury Township
Township
Isaiah Paxson Farm
Location of Solebury Township in Bucks County
Solebury Township Location in Pennsylvania and the United States Solebury Township Solebury Township (the United States) Show map of PennsylvaniaShow map of the United StatesShow all
Coordinates: 40°23′00″N 74°59′49″W / 40.38333°N 74.99694°W / 40.38333; -74.99694Coordinates: 40°23′00″N 74°59′49″W / 40.38333°N 74.99694°W / 40.38333; -74.99694
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Bucks
Area [1]
• Total	27.15 sq mi (70.3 km2)
• Land	26.57 sq mi (68.8 km2)
• Water	0.58 sq mi (1.5 km2)
Elevation	279 ft (85 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	8,692
• Estimate  (2016)[2]	8,599
• Density	320/sq mi (120/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code(s)	215, 267 and 445
FIPS code	42-017-71752
Website	www.soleburytwp.org

Solebury Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,692 at the 2010 census.

At one time the area that is now Solebury Township was inhabited by a group of Native American Algonquian Indians, the Lenni-Lenape, or the “Original People.” One of three tribes from this group that settled in the Delaware River valley, the Turtle Tribe, occupied the area which later became Solebury.

English Quakers settled in the area around 1700, a time that Solebury was part of Buckingham Township. The township of Solebury was incorporated in about the year 1702, carved out of lands deeded to William Penn in the late 1600s. In 1703, records show that Solebury had 28 tracts of land, averaging 414 acres, owned by 24 landowners and farmers. (The Borough of New Hope was part of the township until 1837.)

The first settlers were drawn to the area by the location on the Delaware River and by its fertile soils. First modest log homes were built, followed by the traditional fieldstone houses that still dot our landscape today.

Industries began to spring up around the township's abundant natural resources. Numerous mills were built along the streams that ground grain, sawed wood, pulverized wood for paper, crushed limestone, and even produced silk. Farming was a major industry, and beneath the fertile soil minerals such as limestone and sandstone were found and utilized.

Villages were born–self-sustaining enclaves with a post office, store, church and blacksmith shop.^[3]

It wasn't long before the serene beauty of Solebury was discovered by the artist community. Solebury was the birthplace of Pennsylvania Impressionism and the "New Hope School" centered at Phillips Mill, also in Solebury.^[4] “New Hope School” impressionists William Lathrop, Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber, Fern Coppedge, Morgan Colt, and Mary Elizabeth Price all resided in Solebury as did noted illustrator Charles Hargens, a resident of Carversville, a village in Solebury.^[5] Solebury remains an enclave of artists who still find inspiration here. The home and studio of famed furniture maker George Nakashima were located in Solebury. The studio continues in operation today through his daughter Mira. The George Nakashima Woodworker Complex is a National Historic Landmark.^[6]

Solebury Township continues to be a treasure; today it boasts four National Historic Landmarks, six National Historic Districts, and more than 400 homes built in the 18th and 19th centuries. More than 30% of its land is preserved. Farmers still raise crops and our streams still flow freely. It is up to us to make certain that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy, use and appreciate our historic treasures.

The Atkinson Road Bridge, Center Bridge Historic District, Cuttalossa Valley Historic District, George Nakashima House, Studio and Workshop, Isaiah Paxson Farm, Phillips Mill Historic District, , Author, Red Fox Farm , and Van Sant Covered Bridge are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[7]

In July 2017 the remains of four young men were discovered on a farm along Rte 202. Cousins Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz were charged with the murders.^[8] DiNardo is serving life in prison for the murders.^[9]

Geography[]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 27.2 square miles (70.6 km²), of which 26.6 square miles (69.0 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) (2.20%) is water. It is drained by the Delaware River, which separates it from New Jersey. Past and present villages include Aquetong, Bowman Hill (also in Upper Makefield Township,) Carversville (also in Plumstead Township,) Center Bridge, Clayton, Cottageville, Fleecyville, Glendale, Highton (also in Buckingham Township,) Lahaska, Limeport, Lumberton, Lumberville, Naylors Corner, Peters Corners, Phillips Mill, Rosenthal, Ruckmans, Solebury, Stony Hill, Tooqueminsey, and Winnahawchunick.^[10]

Natural features include Aquetong Creek, Aquetong Spring, Brun Bridle Hill and Forest, Canada Hill, Coppernose (hill), Cuttalossa Creek, Dark Hollow Run, Honey Hollow (valley), Kitchens Hill, Lahaska Creek, Little Buckingham Mountain, Paunacussing Creek, Phillips Creek, Pidcock Creek, Rabbit Run, and Solebury Mountain.^[10]

Neighboring municipalities[]

• Upper Makefield Township (southeast)
• Buckingham Township (southwest)
• Plumstead Township (northwest)
• Kingwood Township, New Jersey (north)
• Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey (northeast)
• Stockton, New Jersey (northeast)
• Lambertville, New Jersey (east)
• New Hope (east)
• West Amwell Township, New Jersey (east)
• Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey (east)

Climate[]

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Solebury Township, Pennsylvania has a hot-summer, wet all year, humid continental climate (Dfa). Dfa climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ 32.0 °F (≤ 0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (≥ 10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ 71.6 °F (≥ 22.0 °C), and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months, episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values ≥ 100 °F (≥ 38 °C). On average, the wettest month of the year is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < 0 °F (< -18 °C). The plant hardiness zone is 6b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of -1.3 °F (-18.5 °C).^[11] The average seasonal (Nov-Apr) snowfall total is between 30 and 36 inches (76 and 91 cm), and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.

Ecology[]

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Solebury Township, Pennsylvania would have an Appalachian Oak (104) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.^[13]

Demographics[]

As of the census^[15] of 2000, there were 7,743 people, 3,053 households, and 2,170 families residing in the township. The population density was 290.6 people per square mile (112.2/km²). There were 3,207 housing units at an average density of 120.4/sq mi (46.5/km²).

The racial makeup of the township as of the 2010 census was:^[16]

• 94.3% White
• 0.9% African American
• 0.0% Native American
• 2.9% Asian
• 0.1% Pacific Islander
• 1.1% from two or more races
• 2.7% Hispanic or Latino

There were 3,053 households:

• 30.4% contained children under the age of 18
• 63.9% were married couples living together
• 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present
• 28.9% were non-families.
• 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals
• 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.94.

Solebury contained citizens of different ages

• 22.0% under the age of 18
• 4.1% from 18 to 24
• 25.8% from 25 to 44
• 36.5% from 45 to 64
• 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older.

The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $89,005, and the median income for a family was $103,566. Males had a median income of $71,176 versus $42,361 for females. The per capita income for the township was $52,985. About 1.7% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education[]

The Solebury School, a private co-educational day and boarding school, is located in the township.

Attractions[]

The New Hope-Lambertville Winter Festival takes place in Solebury yearly. Solebury contains a portion of the Washington Crossing Historic Park across the river from the larger Washington Crossing State Park.

The Bucks County Audubon Society at Honey Hollow maintains a nature preserve with six miles of hiking trails that are open to the public dawn to dusk every day for hiking and birdwatching.

Bowman's Hill Wild Flower Preserve contains over 700 of Pennsylvania's 2,000 native plant species grow naturally on 134 acres.

Notable people[]

• Peter H. Kostmayer, Congressman who lived in Solebury Township while in office^[17]
• Jay Schulberg, advertising executive
• Dean Ween and Gene Ween of the American rock band Ween resided at an apartment on Van Sant Road in Solebury Township during the early 1990s, where they recorded their albums The Pod and Pure Guava.^[18]

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

• Solebury Township