15 Things I Bet You Didn't Know About Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania lovers and natives may think that they fully know their state, but there is always new information to learn about any place or location. We did our research and came up with some interesting things that we feel like you never knew about when it comes to the great Keystone State, whether it is facts or fun trivia information. The following list provides brief details on 15 surprising things about Pennsylvania that a lot of people most likely never heard of.

1. Pennsylvania has a state insect, which is the firefly.

In 1974, Pennsylvania deemed the firefly as its state insect. This came about when an elementary school noticed that Maryland had their own state insect. The students wanted their state to possess a state insect as well. So, in response, the elementary students selected a state insect and sent it to the General Assembly, which was quickly approved.

2. The oldest gas station in America is in Pennsylvania.

The oldest gas station in the country is located in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania. Altoona is a small city that is about 235 miles from Philadelphia and less than 100 miles from Pittsburgh. The name of the gas station is Reighard’s Gas Station, and it has been serving customers since 1909.

3. Pennsylvania is home to the oldest golf course in the nation.

The oldest golf course in the nation is located in the city of Clarion, Pennsylvania. Clarion is a very small city with around 5,000 people. It is a little less than 300 miles from Philadelphia and 75 miles from Pittsburgh. The oldest golf course can be found at the Foxburg Country Club, which began operating in 1887.

4. The state of Pennsylvania contains a rare river that flows north.

Most rivers flow south, but Pennsylvania is home to a rare river, the Monongahela River, that flows in a northern direction. The Monongahela River is a 130-mile river and is commonly referred to as “the Mon.” There are only a couple rivers in the world that flow north.

5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was home to the very first department store in the United States.

The Wanamaker’s was the first ever department store in the United States, and it was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was established by John Wanamaker and is known as the first store to place price tags on items. The department store opened its doors to the public in 1876. It went on to open many other stores around the country, including in New York City and Washington, D.C. In 1995, Wanamaker’s closed. Macy’s now occupies the building in Center City Philadelphia.

6. Only one president has been from the state of Pennsylvania.

James Buchanan is the only president of the United States who was from the state of Pennsylvania. He was the 15th president and was born in the city of Cove Gap in 1791. He was a part of the Federalist Party and died in 1868.

7. Several decades ago, the Steelers and Eagles merged.

In 1943, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles merged their teams together and became the “Steagles.” The reason for this merge was because both teams lost a lot of their players in World War 2. By merging together, they were able to still have a team and play football for one season.

8. Pennsylvania has the highest Amish population around the globe.

The majority of America’s Amish population live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The city of Lancaster is around 60 miles from Philadelphia and is known as the oldest Amish settlement in the entire country. More than 30,000 Amish individuals live there today.

9. The state of Pennsylvania consists of two absurd laws.

There are two very crazy laws in Pennsylvania that you or someone you know have probably broken many times. One is to never sing in a bathtub, and the other is to not sweep dirt underneath a rug.

10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was where the first baseball stadium was ever built.

Forbes Field is the first baseball stadium ever built, and it was located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1909 and operated until 1970. In 1971, it was torn down.

11. The first computer in the world was first used in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The first ever computer was used in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during World War 2. It was called the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC). It was created by the University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School of Electrical Engineering.

12. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is home to America’s first zoo.

Benjamin Franklin helped develop the first zoo in America. It opened its doors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1874 and remains open today.

13. Pennsylvania has a state beverage, which is milk.

In 1982, milk was declared Pennsylvania’s state beverage. Most say it is fitting, as Pennsylvania is the fourth leading state in the United States to produce milk products.

14. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania contains the first-ever Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton.

The Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh is home to the first completed skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur. It is about 46 feet in length, 13 feet tall, and possesses 60 extremely sharp teeth.

15. Pennsylvania used to be well-known for the most haunted house in the United States.

The Congeleier House is located on Ridge Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is a vital part of Pennsylvania’s haunted history, as it was once called the scariest and most haunted house in the entire United States. There are many theories and legends circling around about the Congeleier House, but it is worth catching a glimpse of to determine for yourself if you think that they are true.