Cameron County, Pennsylvania

Cameron County Education, Geography, and History

Cameron County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 5,085, making it Pennsylvania's least populous county. Its county seat is Emporium. The county was created on March 29, 1860, from parts of Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter Counties. It is named for Senator Simon Cameron.

Etymology - Origin of Cameron County Name

Its name is Latin for "market" or "trade center."

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Cameron County History

Created on March 29, 1860 from parts of Clinton, McKean, and Potter Counties and named for US Senator Simon Cameron. Emporium, the county seat, was incorporated as a borough on October 13, 1864; its name is Latin for "market" or "trade center."

The Sinnemahoning Creek and its tributaries dominate the area and the first settlers recognized the destructiveness of flooding. Farming never developed; lumber has always shaped the economy. Because of abundant stands of hemlock tanning developed. There was a serious flood in 1847, but the opening of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad brought about the creation of the county. Overwhelming floods occurred in October 1861 and in the spring of 1889, punctuated by milder floods in 1865 and 1884. In 1884, a forest fire depleted much of the timber wealth. Cameron had only a little oil, gas, and coal, but furniture and wood product industries arose. In the twentieth century, the Sylvania Corporation, manufacturers of radio tubes and electrical products, was born in Emporium. High quality flagstone has been quarried, and explosives were manufactured there in the 1930s. Emporium was an Underground Railroad station and for a time the home of the eccentric Claflin sisters, spiritualists and friends of Horace Greeley. The Civil War Bucktails Regiment of sharpshooters was raised there, and there are many legends about rattlesnakes and hunters' exploits. Movie cowboy actor Tom Mix was born on Mix Run. Over half the land is in state parks and game lands; only 1 percent is farmed. Lumber is still a major product, and there is thriving activity in tool and die works and pressed metals.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 399 square miles (1,032 km²), of which, 397 square miles (1,029 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (4 km²) of it (0.36%) is water.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• McKean County (north)
• Potter County (northeast)
• Clinton County (east)
• Clearfield County (south)
• Elk County (west)

Education

Public school districts

Cameron County School District

There are 11 public cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania that are available for free statewide, to children K-12. See: Education in Pennsylvania.

Compare More Colleges and Universities

Find more schools to match to your needs.

Start Now