Mars, Pennsylvania
|
|
Mars is a borough located in Butler County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 1,746.
| Contents |
Geography
Mars is located at 40°41'48" North, 80°0'44" West (40.696594, -80.012205)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.2 km² (0.4 mi²). 1.2 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 1,746 people, 687 households, and 395 families residing in the borough. The population density is 1,498.1/km² (3,906.5/mi²). There are 715 housing units at an average density of 613.5/km² (1,599.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough is 98.68% White, 0.46% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.23% from two or more races. 0.40% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 687 households out of which 25.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% are married couples living together, 10.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% are non-families. 38.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 24.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.16 and the average family size is 2.89.
In the borough the population is spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 33.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 46 years. For every 100 females there are 70.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 64.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough is $33,073, and the median income for a family is $46,136. Males have a median income of $34,083 versus $26,080 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $17,701. 9.3% of the population and 7.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.8% of those under the age of 18 and 14.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
You have to go back in history and trace its growth. Several individuals gave of their talent and foresight to improve a community for their children and others. In 1798 Isaac Covert purchased 100 acres (400,000 m²) on which he built a log cabin, and later accumulated a total of 400 acres (1.6 km²). There were several farmers who had purchased land in the Breakneck Valley. On the South side of Irvine Sireet was the Matthew Parks' farm. On the East of Crowe Avenue was the Thomas Kennedy farm, Nor- thwest was the Covert farm, and southwest was the James Davison farm. These farms all met at the corner of Pittsburgh Street and Crowe Avenue, which was the crossroad of the Valencia-Evans City Road and a road from the Old Plank Road (Rte. 8) and to Perry Highway on the west.
Two men, Matthew Parks and Thomas Kennedy, built water- powered grist mills on Breakneck Creek. Matthew Parks built in 1825 near the intersection of the Mars- Valencia Road and Route 228. Thomas Kennedy built a mill in 1828 in the valley East of Cherry Street. Farmers from the area came to one of these mills to have feed ground for their cattle.
Frank Johnston, realizing that most farmers came to this valley to have their feed ground, bought a tract of land from Thomas Kennedy and built a general store in 1862 between the grist mills and the crossroad. It was located east of the railroad tracks, which later came through the town. Other men, seeing the advantage of having a business in this locality, built in this area. Among them were: James Irvine, and William Crisswell, - Livery Stable, T. M. Marshall - General Store, and W. J. Gilleland - Store.
In 1873, Samuel Parks, son of Matthew Parks, built a home on the property now occupied by Mars Auto Parts. With the help of the Honorable Samuel Marshall, he established a post office in his home. The origin of the name of the Post Office, Mars, has been a controversial topic. Some say that Mrs. Parks was a student of astronomy and suggested the name. Others say that it was named in honor of Samuel Marshall. The latter seems to be the consensus of opinion. Mail was brought by stage coach to Wexford, where Albert Parks, son of Samuel Parks, traveled to pick it up once each week. The trip was made on horseback each Saturday, and the boy received $8 yearly for his service.
After the post office had been in the home of Samuel Parks for about four years, it was moved down to Frank Johnston's store. A home, store, and post office combined, it was one of the first buildings in Mars. Other old homes in the town were: the James Davison home, a log cabin built between Irvine Street and the creek across from the Reform Presbyterian Church property; and the Samuel Kennedy four-room log cabin on Spring Street Extension, at a spring northwest of the dam for his grist mill.
In 1877, Pittsburgh, New Castle, and Lake Erie Railroad organized to build a railroad through Butler County. As the railroad was to come through the farm of Samuel Ken- nedy, he inserted into the right-of- way agreement that a stop must be placed on his farm, and all passenger trains must stop on being flagged. The stop was named Overbrook, as it was close to a brook. However, the name of the railroad stop conflicted with the name of the post office, so that mail for Mars was delivered to the Overbrook stop. This was confusing to the trainmen and an agreement between the railroad and the postal authorities decided on the name Mars, as there was another Overbrook post office in Pennsylvania.
On October 20, 1894, 57 of the 72 property owners in the area petitioned the Courts of Butler County with an application for incorporation of the Borough of Mars. The petition was granted March 6, 1895. On April 9, 1895, the first election of the Borough of Mars was held with Samuel A. Kennedy elected Burgess; Samuel Crow, President of Council; Arba Jordan, Secretary; R. H. McElheny, Constable; and Joseph Borland, Street Commissioner. The Organization Meeting was held May 24, 1895, at which time the first 18 Ordinances of the new Borough of Mars were approved.
The new council had several problems such as sidewalks, animals in town, grading streets with horse- drawn equipment, and all kinds of peddlers coming through the town.
In 1901, Troutman Gas Co. was given permission to pipe gas to the homes in Mars and gas lights on the streets.
In 1903, a proposition was presented to council on a water system, with 26 fire hydrants. There had been several fires and the buildings could have been saved, if there had been fire hydrants. This would reduce the fire insurance rates. However, several of the councilmen felt the town should own the water systems. On February 21, 1905, the citizens voted to build a municipal-owned water system and increase bonded indebtedness to cover the cost. Council also purchased a plot of ground for a reservoir.
On April 25, 1903, an ordinance was enacted giving authority to install telephones in Mars. On February 27, 1907, the North Pittsburgh Telephone Company was authorized to install telephones and has continued to give excellent service throughout the years.
In 1904, the Pittsburgh, Etna, and Butler Street Railway Company was granted permission to build a track through the town. This transportation system lasted for a number of years, but because of the use of personal automobiles and the improved roads, passengers were finding that they could drive to, their places of employment quicker than by riding the street car. Use of the street car diminished to the point that it was losing money. In 1931, it quit operating.
In 1908, L. J. Tracy was hired to make a complete survey of the Borough, establish street lines and the necessary sewer grades for the sum of $400. In 1910, the Borough Council enacted an ordinance providing for a sewer system at a cost of $15,800. The system was completed in 1911.
On May 19, 1911, Council authorized the first paved street in town, by awarding the Pitt Construction Co. a bid to pave Grand Avenue. At the same time residents of Pittsburgh Street decided to pave their street.
The paving of these two streets awoke the entire town to the fact that all the streets needed some attention. A grading and improving program was begun that helped transportation throughout the entire borough.
In 1912, a group of citizens organized the Mars Light Company and erected electric lines to all 'homes. They also erected street lights on all the corners, giving an excellent system of electric lighting. This system was later sold to the Pennsylvania Power Company.
Because of the advantage of having water and sewer over wells and septic tanks, several people made application for annexing to the borough and were accepted. But sites to build a home are limited and a great number of homes have been built in the township near the borough, but are facing a problem on sewage. Sometime in the near future they are going to be required to build a sanitary sewer system, and they may have to connect with the present system of the borough.
Police services date to the borough's incorporation, at which time Mars was served by an elected constable. The first regular police officer, Paul Harger, was hired in 1931. The present two-man police force is equipped with a radio- equipped cruiser and receives assistance, as required, from the State Police, nearby township police departments, and an auxiliary staff.
Organized fire protection, a two- wheel hose cart, was established in 1905 following a series of disastrous fires. From that beginning the Mars Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1934. That same year, Borough Council voted tax support for the company. This support continues today.
The well-equipped Mars VFD has been one of the community's most enthusiastic boosters, and at the same time enjoys the town's loyal support. The VFD sponsors a first- aid staff consisting of specially- trained men available 24 hours a day for emergency assistance.
The growth of the town has been in spurts. In 1887, there were about 50 persons in the area of Mars. However, by 1894, with the railroad coming through and the oil excitement, it had grown to 350 persons. With the news that a Borough would be chartered, the growth jumped to 770 in 1900. With the street cars and paved roads it increased to 1,250 by 1923. Since that time there has been a gradual increase until in 1972 there were 1,582 citizens in the Borough of Mars.
The Borough of Mars is very efficiently operated, having a total millage tax of 15 mills, of which 8 mills is for police protection; 1 1/2 mills for a public library and 1 1/4 mills for fire protection. The annual budget is about $125,000. The present council is operating on a pay-as-you-go basis, with no large amount borrowed. This is a 5 mill increase in 50 years.
The future of the Borough of Mars will depend largely on the economic growth of the surrounding area. The borough itself has very limited space available for additional residential, commercial or industrial expansion. The surrounding three-township area, however, shows every sign of healthy growth. There is every reason to believe that Mars, as the geographic center and largest business community, will prosper from that trend.
From Life on Mars Centennial Book, 1973
More at Mars Info and History Mars History (http://www.purvisbros.com/mars/marstop.htm)