Renovo, Pennsylvania facts for kids

"Renovo" redirects here. For the biopharmaceutical company, see Renovo plc.

Quick facts for kids Renovo, Pennsylvania
Borough
14th Street in Renovo, looking south during the Flaming Foliage Festival Parade
Location in Clinton County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Clinton
Settled	1825
Incorporated (borough)	1860
Government
• Type	Borough Council
Area
• Total	1.06 sq mi (2.74 km²)
• Land	1.05 sq mi (2.72 km²)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.01 km²)
Elevation	668 ft (204 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	1,228
• Estimate (2019)	1,205
• Density	1,146.53/sq mi (442.52/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST)
• Summer (DST)	EDT
ZIP code	17764
Area code(s)	570 Exchanges: 531, 923
FIPS code	42-64200
Website	https://renovoborough.org/

Renovo is a borough in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, United States, 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Lock Haven. In 1900, 4,082 people lived there, and in 1910, 4,621 lived there, but in the 2010 census the borough population was 1,228.

The borough is located on the West Branch Susquehanna River, and along Pennsylvania's Bucktail State Park Natural Area, centered on Pennsylvania Route 120, which winds through the surrounding mountains following the river. The town is the home of the "Flaming Foliage Festival" held each October, generally on the second weekend, celebrating the fall colors of the trees on the area's many mountains. The festival includes a parade and the crowning of a queen, usually chosen from one of the nearby high schools. The festival serves as a "homecoming" event for former residents of Renovo, many of whom return annually for the event. Various vendors from the surrounding areas sell food, clothing, and an array of novelties, memorabilia, and souvenirs.

The economy of Renovo and the surrounding area was primarily based on lumbering, until the first-growth forest was almost entirely stripped away, and the industry collapsed. There are also deposits of bituminous coal and fire clay in the region.

Geography
Demographics
Points of interest
Telecommunications
Gallery
Notable people
Images for kids
See also

Geography

Renovo is located in north-central Clinton County at 41°19′43″N 77°44′54″W / 41.32861°N 77.74833°W / 41.32861; -77.74833 (41.327669, -77.749580), along the West Branch Susquehanna River, at the bottom of a 1,000-to-1,200-foot-deep (300 to 370 m) gorge. South Renovo is directly across the river, on the south bank.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Renovo has a total area of 1.13 square miles (2.93 km²), of which 1.13 square miles (2.92 km²) is land and 0.004 square miles (0.01 km²), or 0.48%, is water.

Pennsylvania Route 120 passes through the borough, leading southeast (downriver) 28 miles (45 km) to Lock Haven, the county seat, and west then northwest up Sinnemahoning Creek and its tributaries 45 miles (72 km) to Emporium. Pennsylvania Route 144 crosses the West Branch from Renovo into South Renovo and leads southwest 35 miles (56 km) to Snow Shoe and Interstate 80. PA 144 leads north 44 miles (71 km) to Galeton on U.S. Route 6.

Airports and distances from Renovo:

Jersey Shore Airport - 54 minutes (43.1 miles)
Williamsport Regional Airport - 1 hour 9 minutes (59.4 miles)
State College Airport - 1 hour 14 minutes (57.0 miles)
Bradford Regional Airport - 1 hour and 57 minutes (83.3 miles)
DuBois Airport - 1 hour and 39 minutes (89.2 miles)
Johnstown Airport - 2 hours and 24 minutes (135.0 miles)
Harrisburg International Airport - 2 hours and 37 minutes (145.8 miles)

Demographics

A house on Huron Avenue (PA 120), Renovo's main thoroughfare

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1870	1,940	—
1880	3,708	91.1%
1890	4,154	12.0%
1900	4,082	−1.7%
1910	4,621	13.2%
1920	5,877	27.2%
1930	3,947	−32.8%
1940	3,784	−4.1%
1950	3,751	−0.9%
1960	3,316	−11.6%
1970	2,620	−21.0%
1980	1,812	−30.8%
1990	1,526	−15.8%
2000	1,318	−13.6%
2010	1,228	−6.8%
2019 (est.)	1,205	−1.9%
Sources:

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,318 people, 593 households, and 333 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,136.0 people per square mile (438.7/km²). There were 727 housing units at an average density of 626.6 per square mile (242.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.94% White, 0.23% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.38% of the population.

There were 593 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.4% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.7% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $18,636, and the median income for a family was $23,854. Males had a median income of $26,328 versus $16,429 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $11,709. About 25.7% of families and 30.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.8% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest

Renovo is in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds which comprises twelve and a half counties (Warren, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Forest, Elk, Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, Clarion, Jefferson, Clearfield and part of Centre) located in north-central Pennsylvania. This area contains over two million acres of remote, mountainous, and pristine lands located on state forest lands, state game lands, state park lands and public grounds that offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities. The Wilds has within it 29 state parks, 8 state forests, 50 state game lands, abundant wildlife, several natural/wild areas, and miles of hiking trails and fishing streams. This region also contains the largest elk herd in the Northeast, stretching as far west as Ridgway and as far east as Renovo.

Telecommunications

In 2011, Immix Wireless rolled out 2.75G (EDGE) wireless GSM services in Renovo. Immix was the first to roll out a cellular service in Renovo. Before this, only wired internet and phone services were available in Renovo through Comcast and Verizon Communications.

Gallery

Residences on Huron Avenue
Veterans' memorial includes a Sherman tank
Row houses on 14th Street

First United Methodist Church and rectory
First United Presbyterian Church
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Notable people

Bill Friel, former pro baseball player
John Montgomery Ward, Baseball Hall of Fame member
Rev. Henry “Harry” Kingsley Ash, Minister of North Bend Methodist Church and Famed Boy Scout Leader
Dr. Allen Sapora - Wrestler ⋅ Allen Sapora began his wrestling in Renovo, Pennsylvania. His collegiate wrestling was at the University of Illinois where he became a two time Big Ten winner and one-time champion, which culminated in winning the NCAA Divisions Championship in 1938.

When he won the National Championship, it marked the first time that brothers had accomplished this feat. His brother, Joe, had done this in 1929 and 1930.

Upon graduation, Allen was a graduate assistant to the University of Illinois coach Hall of Famer Hek Kenney now deceased. He continued to help until he earned his PhD in recreation. He then became a member of teaching staff at the University of Illinois in the department of leisure studies. It was during this time that he turned his attention to officiating.

Along with Hek Kenney, he aided in demonstration of wrestling at over 50 high schools throughout Illinois, teaching wrestling principles and rules. As an official he worked numerous dual meets in the area and at the university. He officiated in 5 State Championships. With Hek Kenney he also officiated at the Canadian National Championships.

Joe Sapora started his career in Renovo, Pennsylvania. He came to the University of Illinois in 1927 where he wrestled for Hall of Famer Paul Prehm. While at the University of Illinois Joe was a Big Ten Runner-Up and a Two Time Big Ten Champion. In 1929, he won his first National Division One Championship, and in 1930 he repeated this Championship.

His coaching and teaching took him back East, where he coached the New York University Team for 19 years. He was also involved with the New York Athletic Club for many years and was one of the officials for many years in the area.

The Helms Foundation elected him to their Hall of Fame. This Hall of Fame was in essence the NCAA Hall of Fame.

Images for kids

16th Street Park From Susquehanna Avenue