The history of Wyalusing dates back centuries. It was originally known as M'chwihilusing. The Wyalusing Path was a historic trace that ran from what is now Wyalusing to the Native American village of Canaserage (what is now Muncy, on the West Branch Susquehanna River). Before 1750, Wyalusing was known as Gahontoto and was home to the Tehotachsee tribe of Native Americans. Eventually, this small tribe was completely wiped out by the Cayuga tribe.
In the spring of 1765, the MoravianChristian Munsees, a group of absolute pacifists, founded a settlement Friedenshuetten (Tents or Cabins of Peace) in what is now Wyalusing. This settlement lasted for several years, but was finally abandoned when the group led by David Zeisberger moved to Schoenbrunn (near Gnadenhutten, Ohio) in 1772.[7] In 1792, the chief of the Cayugas and approximately 20 other families rebuilt the town.[8]
In the 19th century, the town began to prosper as it became a shipping area for logs and other items on the Susquehanna River. In 1820, the construction of the Welles Mill along Wyalusing Creek made Wyalusing a prime area for people to farm and raise crops.[8] In 1887, Wyalusing became a borough.[8] Many of the buildings constructed in the late 19th century and early 1920s are still part of Main Street today.
Cargill meat packing plant, Wyalusing
Wyalusing is home to one of the biggest beef processing plants on the East Coast. Cargill regional beef Wyalusing is located just a couple miles outside of town. This plant was originally started in the late 1970s by the local Taylor family as a small meat processing plant. It eventually grew into a multimillion-dollar business that employs over 1,200 people from the surrounding area. Cargill is one of the biggest suppliers of ground beef to large grocery chains such as Wegmans, Giant, Shop Rite and more. In 2002, the Taylor family sold the business to the Cargill corporation, one of the largest privately owned companies in the United States.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.81 square miles (2.1 km2), of which 0.73 square miles (1.9 km2) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.2 km2), or 8.58%, is water.[5]
As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 564 people, 264 households, and 145 families residing in the borough. The population density was 706.0 inhabitants per square mile (272.6/km2). There were 280 housing units at an average density of 350.5 per square mile (135.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.40% White, 0.35% African American, 0.89% Native American, and 0.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.
There were 264 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 20.6% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $30,625, and the median income for a family was $41,429. Males had a median income of $33,393 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,229. About 4.9% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 24.2% of those age 65 or over.
Attractions
Warrior's Path Historic Marker at the Wyalusing RocksPresbyterian Church
Scenic attractions include the Wyalusing Rocks and the Marie Antoinette Lookout.[13]
Community events include Wyalusing's Fall Festival and Street Fair,[14] the Wyalusing Firemen's Parade, the Camptown Races, and the Wyalusing Wine festival.
Wyalusing is home to The Rocket Courier, the result of the merger of The Wyalusing Rocket, founded in 1887, and The Wyoming County Courier, Founded in 1923. The Rocket Courier covers the surrounding Wyalusing area, as well local towns nearby. The Rocket is locally owned by editor W. Dave Keeler. It is printed in Wyalusing and puts out a new issue every Thursday morning.[15]
The Grovedale Winery[17] participates in the annual Wyalusing Valley Wine Festival, which is hosted by the Wyalusing Valley Museum Association, Inc.[18] This festival offers wine tasting, food, and dancing with many wineries from Northeastern Pennsylvania in attendance each year.
^"PHMC Historical Markers Search"(Searchable database). Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
