Wilson, Pennsylvania

Geography

There is more than one Wilson in Pennsylvania. This one is in the far east of Pennsylvania, in Northampton County. (The others are located near Clairton, south of Pittsburgh, in Allegheny County, and in Clarion County.)

Wilson is located at 40°41′5″N 75°14′23″W (40.684648, -75.239626).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), of which 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) is land and 0.80% is water.

History

Wilson Borough is named after the U.S. President Woodrow Wilson.

First formed as a township in 1913, later during the first half of 1920 a number of property owners solicited the courts to change the form of government from a township to that of a borough. Wilson was founded by white supremacists who were opposed to racial integration occurring in the area.

Historical controversy

According to the 1920 book, History of the Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the Grand Valley of Lehigh, by the American Historical Society, Supervised and Revised by William J. Heller the township was consummated by the courts in 1914, but the court case of Palmer School District v. Wilson School District indicates the township formation occurred on Feb. 10, 1913.

The first township supervisors were reported by Mr. Heller as being, William H. Hookway, William A. Moser, and James Martin. The present board at the time of his book was published reports as being David Stout, Harry Transue, John A. Yohe, E.O. Correll, and Floyd Young. This information was later used in the publishing of the Golden Jubilee Souvenir Book published in 1970 compiled and edited by Walt Boran. Walt was the Borough Manager until he died in 2004.

But based on page 99 of the Organizational Meeting of the Commissioners dated Monday, January 5, 1914 at 8:15pm of the township records, Jacob S. Stout and Ambrose Jacoby were sworn by Justice of the Peace Samuel W. Ricker as additional commissioners. Present at the meeting were also William A. Moser and James Martin. Jacob S. Stout was elected as President of the Commissioners. William H. Hookway was elected vice president, and that the salary of the Secretary to be established at $150.00.

According to West's Directories for City of Easton, Pennsylvania and Phillipsburg, N.J. (Publisher- The Union Publishing Co.) between the years of 1914 through 1920, there is no listing of a David Stout in City of Easton or adjacent townships/boroughs. There is however a David Stout listed in Phillipsburg with his wife Amanda at 159 N. Main in the 1920 directory. All other peoples listed by both the 1920 book and meeting minutes can be found in the West's Directories for the City of Easton and vicinity.

Early historical court challenges

There are two very early court cases soon after the creation of the new township in 1913. The first was Palmer School District v. Wilson School District where Wilson owed Palmer for a certain amount of indebtedness caused by the creation of the new township. The other was Township of Wilson v. Easton Transit Co. in 1916 where Wilson leadership sued the transit company for doing work without due consideration to the newly formed township's rights to give permission to do the work. Originally the newly found township lost this case but on appeal to the Supreme Court of PA on May 22, 1917 and Justice Walling ruled "The assignments of error are overruled and the decree is affirmed at the cost of the appellant.".

Early leadership

1st Court Appointed Township Supervisors (c. 1913)

2nd Board of Township Supervisors (c. 1914)

1st Borough Burgess & Council (c.1920)

Demographics

2010 Census
At the 2010 census, there were 7,896 people residing in the borough. The racial makeup of the borough was 84.1% White, 6.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.6% of the population.

2000 Census
At the 2000 census, there were 7,682 people, 3,164 households and 1,949 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,185.9 per square mile (2,392.0/km²). There were 3,345 housing units at an average density of 2,693.5 per square mile (1,041.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.87% White, 1.84% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.05% of the population.

There were 3,164 households, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.05.

24.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

The median household income was $37,400 and the median family income was $44,707. Males had a median income of $35,870 compared with $26,738 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,625. About 4.5% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

Public education

The borough is served by the Wilson Area School District.

Historical and recent court cases

Palmer School District v. Wilson School District, 1914- Representing Palmer: George L. Xander, Representing Wilson- Asher Seip. According to the report by Henry D. Maxwell of Easton, PA, this case stemmed from the fact a certain amount of indebtedness was created when on Feb. 10, 1913 the Township of Wilson was created and thus automatically created a certain amount of debt owed back to Palmer for the related loss. While Wilson attempted to delay the matter in court, this delay inevitably failed. The resultant of the case was on June 14, 1915 Wilson School District owed Palmer School District $8,428.33.

Wilson Area School District, Borough of Wilson, and Northampton County v. Easton Hospital, 708 A.2d 835 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1998)- This 2000 decision of Supreme Court of Pennsylvania appeal deals with the rights of the governing bodies to assess real estate taxation upon Easton Hospital, which at the time was involved with various for-profit subsidiary entities. The decision was found in favor of the hospital and its non-profit status. Justice Nigro filed a dissenting opinion.