We welcome new residents and new businesses! The quality of life in our area is second to none and we are always eager to share. Whether you want culture, history, outdoor attractions, the beauty of four changeable seasons, or a tranquil lifestyle, we have it. And since we are in a rural area, our cost-of-living is lower than in a metropolitan community.
GENERAL INFORMATION (Huntingdon County)
County Seat ................................................................... Huntingdon Borough Land Area .......................................................................... 890 square miles Elevation .................................................................... from 800 to 1,200 feet Population ............................................................. 45,586 (2000 census data) Annual Precipitation .............................................................................. 36.7" Summer Temperature ............................................................................ 71° F Winter Temperature .............................................................................. 30° F Growing Season ............................................................................... 150 days Annual Snowfall ....................................................................................... 39"
LOCAL GOVERNMENT Mount Union
Mount Union is divided into three Wards, each having three elected residents who serve on the Borough Council. A part-time mayor and full-time borough manager handle day-to-day operations. Mount Union has its own police department, fire company, ambulance service, water and sewer service.
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM Public Schools
Mount Union Area School District Brett Gilliland, Superintendent Administrative Office: 28 W. Market Street Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-8631
Kistler Elementary School 154 School Street, Kistler Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-2595
Mapleton-Union Elementary School Mapleton Depot, PA 17052 (814) 542-4401
Shirley Township Elementary School Allenport Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-9381
Mount Union Area Junior High School 706 N. Shaver Street Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-9311
Mount Union Area Senior High School Curt Whitesel, Principal 706 N. Shaver Street Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-2518
Mount Union Headstart Center 230 W. Davis Street Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-4818
HEALTH CARE
Mount Union residents are served by private practice physicians, two chiropractors, dentists and an optometrist. A medical center and two pharmacies are within the community. A modern hospital is located 12 miles away, in Huntingdon.
SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Bricktown Senior Center 18 N. Washington Street Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-2865
Family-Based Mental Health Services (814) 542-8499
Food Bank: Assembly of God Church 611 N. Jefferson Street Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-4778
Individual, Family and Community Services N. Jefferson Street Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-9282
WIC Program 115 W. Shirley Street Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-4339
Mary Alexander Outreach Center 17 W. Grant Street Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-8576
HOUSING
Greene Street Village Greene Street, Mount Union, PA 17066
Huntingdon County Housing Authority 100 Federal Drive, Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-2531
Taylor Apartments S. Division Street, Mount Union, PA 17066 (814) 542-8643
TOP EMPLOYERS
Of the County's top ten leading employers, three are located in the Mount Union area:
FCI USA, Inc. ................................................. 440 employees
Mount Union Area School District....................... 338 employees
Other area major industries include: Bleyer Gift Pack, LLC. Containment Solutions, Inc.
BUSINESS PARK
Riverview Business Center - Located about two miles south of Mount Union, on US Route 522, is a 250-acre business park with 90 acres designated as a Keystone Opportunity Zone. FCI USA, Inc., the world's third largest producer of electronic components, was the Center's first occupant.
Aughwich Business Center, adjacent to the above, is home to Centre Business Products Inc., Curves, and Dice Imaging LLC.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
HIKE the Thousand Steps - During the early 1900's, when the manufacturing of bricks built the town of Mount Union, workers each day climbed up the side of Jack's Mountain to mine ganister rock used by the brickyards.
This extremely challenging, but possible, hike will enable you to understand the work ethic that was, and still is, exhibited by our area's residents. The path, now a trail of over 1,000 stone steps, will take about 90 minutes to ascend and 30 minutes to come down. The hike begins near Jack's Springs, about two miles west of Mount Union on Route 22. Ample parking is provided.
GOLF at the Mount Union American Legion Country Club - The par-74 layout is a fairly straight golf course with few doglegs and a lot of up-and-down from tee to greens. The first nine holes travel around the perimeter of the course, with woods and out-of-bounds along the way. The second nine holes wind their way around the interior of the course.
This mature course, built in 1924 as the Juniata Valley Colony Club, was later sold to the Simpson-Hunt Post of the American Legion. The greens are relatively small, extremely fast and have a wavy motion. An Olympic-size swimming pool, pro shop, lounge, dining room, locker rooms and putting green compliment the facility.
To get to the Country Club, pay attention for signs to the ALCC and Kistler Borough. After you pass Kistler, keep going straight for about three miles to reach the golf course.
Whatever your interest may be, you can do it in and around Mount Union:
Creation Festival — The nation’s largest outdoor Christian Festival. The Agape Farm, six miles south of Mount Union, is a beautiful site with many wooded areas. At the base of a small mountain is a grassy natural amphitheater that is used for the panoramic main stage arena. The music program each year features the very best Christian artists in a variety of venues. Amy Grant, mega-hit recording star, has been a popular guest on more than one occasion. Held in late June.
Annual Mount Union Street Fair — Food, music, performers, games, a dunking booth, dance and Little Miss Princess contest. Normally held in June, this event has been cancelled for 2010. For more information please refer to the Organizations page.
Two-Ball Invitational Golf Tournament — Attracts hundreds of golfers from throughout the eastern United States. At the American Legion Country Club. In June.
Fireworks Display — Visible from nearly anywhere in town, this annual event begins at dusk on July 4.
"National Night Out" Celebration — Local law enforcement provide educational safety services to the community, followed by a flashlight walk through town. Normally held in August, this event might be cancelled in 2010. For information, please contact M.U.CAP (found on the Organizations page).
Canal Era Day — Held on the grounds of the Mount Union Area Historical Society. Traditional crafts, demonstrations, performances, food, exhibits (something for everyone)! Held the first weekend in October.
Halloween Parade — Staged every year since 1924, Mount Union’s Halloween Parade is the "grand-daddy" of Huntingdon County parades. Among the groups that attract thousands of visitors are the Jaffa Drum & Bugle Corps, Chanters, Clowns, Motor Corps. The last Thursday in October.
Festival of Trees and Wreaths — Seasonal Christmas decorations to admire and purchase. Best of show contest. Performances by area musicians. Usually held the second weekend in December.
NEAREST CITIES (Highway Distance from Mount Union)
Pittsburgh ................................. 135 miles
Baltimore .................................. 145 miles
Washington, D.C. ....................... 150 miles
Philadelphia .............................. 185 miles
New York .................................. 250 miles
Cleveland .................................. 260 miles