City Island (Pennsylvania)

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City Island
Area of Harrisburg
A panorama of Harrisburg, showing the northern end of City Island
A panorama of Harrisburg, showing the northern end of City Island
Coordinates: Map
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyDauphin County
CityHarrisburg
Area
 • Land63 acres (25 ha)
ZIP Code
17101
Area code(s)717 and 223

City Island is a mile-long

Walnut Street Bridge
.

History

The island contains archaeological remains of the Susquehannocks and the Iroquois tribes, who at one time established seasonal settlements here. During the initial development of Harrisburg, the island was only able to be reached by boat or fording in low waters, until 1817 when the Camelback Bridge, site of the present-day Market Street Bridge, was completed.[1]

During the

Gettysburg Campaign. Then in 1865, Camp Keystone was formed on the island, as Camp Curtin was overflowing with returning troops.[2]

c. 1910 Postcard depicting Island Park ballfield and track field located south of the Market Street Bridge.

Though originally used for

York Pirates
.

With the onset of the

City Beautiful Movement in the 1900s, the City Island Filtration Plant was constructed. The plant drew water from the river, filtered it into concrete reservoirs (which now define the edge of the Skyline Sports Complex), and pumped it by tunnel laid under the river to the Old Waterworks at Front and North Streets, which then pumped the water to the reservoirs up in Reservoir Park. The Flood of 1972 resulting from Hurricane Agnes destroyed the Filtration Plant, leaving the DeHart Dam to supply water to the city.[5]

By the 1980s, concerts were held in the old field leftover from athletic events, such as Metallica (July 12, 1989) and Grateful Dead (June 22, 1983 and June 23, 1984). However, part of the field which was used for concerts would become the new Riverside Stadium (now FNB Field) in 1987.

Layout and attractions

PASDA
Imagery of City Island
Cafe Huey, food vendor, July 2021

The Market Street Bridge spans across the southern area of the island, under which are the parking areas. Most of the attractions are on the northern area of the island, where roads wind around the island.

The island is the site of

Penn FC, a professional soccer team. It also features the Skyline Sports Complex, which is the home of the Central Penn Piranha, a semi-professional football team which belongs to the North American Football League. The complex is open year-round to the public, and provides a multi-purpose sports field, sand volleyball courts, and a fitness center.[6]

The island also provides family-based amusements such as the

narrow gauge[7] City Island Railroad (complete with a Crown Metal Products steam locomotive), carousel, Pride of the Susquehanna paddle-wheel riverboat,[8] horse-drawn carriage rides, miniature golf, a replica of John Harris Sr.'s fur-trading post, a riverside village-style playground, three boat marinas, and a concrete beach.[6]

Events

The island is home to many events, including Harrisburg's Independence Day Celebration, Kipona Festival, Cultural Fest, Harrisburg Marathon, Armed Forces Day, Penguin Plunge and others.

Humane Society
of Harrisburg Area, January 2020

Canceled projects

City Island was the proposed location of:

References

  1. ^ "City Island". Retrieved 2009-11-14.
  2. ^ Keener-Farley, Lawrence; Schmick, James (2008). "Civil War Harrisburg: A Guide to Capital Area Sites, Incidents and Personalities". Camp Curtin Historical Society (2nd ed.).
  3. ^ "Harrisburg Giants' Standout Jim Weedon, 94 – La Voz Latina Central". Retrieved 2021-10-13.
  4. ^ "Babe Ruth playing on Island Field 1928". The Evening News. 1928-06-27. p. 19. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
  5. OCLC 761221337
    .
  6. ^ a b "Visiting Harrisburg: City parks at-a-glance". City of Harrisburg. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  7. ^ City Island Railroad
  8. ^ "Pride of the Susquehanna". Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society, Inc. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  9. ^ "Corridor One -- The Project". Capital Area Transit. Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  10. ^ Luciew, John (12 March 2009). "Reed to throw in towel on Sports Hall of Fame". Patriot-News. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
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