*** Welcome to piglix ***

Lower Swatara Township

Lower Swatara Township, Pennsylvania
Township
The Star Barn Complex, a historic site in the township
The Star Barn Complex, a historic site in the township
Motto: "A Progressive First Class Township"
Location in Dauphin County and state of Pennsylvania.
Location in Dauphin County and state of Pennsylvania.
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Dauphin
Settled 1717
Incorporated 1961
Government
 • Type Board of Commissioners
 • President Thomas L. Mehaffie III
Area
 • Total 14.8 sq mi (38.3 km2)
 • Land 12.3 sq mi (31.9 km2)
 • Water 2.5 sq mi (6.4 km2)
Population (2010)
 • Total 8,268
 • Density 671/sq mi (259.1/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s) 717
Website www.lowerswatara.org

Lower Swatara Township is a township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,268 at the 2010 census.Harrisburg International Airport and Penn State Harrisburg are located within the township.

Lower Swatara Township is bordered by the Susquehanna River on the south and Swatara Creek to the east. The township name is derived from a Native American language. The word is thought to be from an Iroquois word meaning "Where we fed on eels." The Natives established a network of pathways through the area. Presbyterian settlers from Scotland and Ireland were followed by settlers from the German Palatinate. The first settlers erected their log homes along the banks of the Susquehanna and Swatara.

The population in Pennsylvania increased. In 1729 Paxtang Township of Lancaster County was established. The spelling "Paxtang" is from the original Native name Peshtank, which meant "standing water".

On March 4, 1785, Dauphin County was formed from Lancaster County, named for the Dauphin of France, heir apparent to the French throne, whose country the area government wanted to honor for its assistance in the Revolutionary War. In August 1787 the legislature separated Paxtang Township into Upper Paxtang, Middle Paxtang and Lower Paxtang townships.


...
Wikipedia

...