Exit Realty Associates serves Pike County which offers some of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders. Come visit our breath-taking waterfalls, hike to our mountaintops, paddle down our rivers and streams or just relax at one of our hotels or spas. It is bountiful with historical significance, natural beauty and country charm. It is also conveniently located just 90 minutes from downtown New York City.
Pike County is also the fastest growing residential area in Pennsylvania and has been consistently rated as a top getaway location by national media from across the country .
Pike County
Pike County was created on March 26, 1814 from part of Wayne County and named for General Zebulon Pike. Milford, the county seat, was incorporated as a borough on December 25,1874, and named for Milford Haven of Wales.
Indians and Early Settlers
The first known inhabitants of what is now Pike County were the Indians. The Leni Lenape tribe, later called the Delaware, was centralized around the Delaware River. The name Leni Lenape means 'the original people' as they claim to have existed from the beginning of time The Minsi was the Lenape nation in what was to become Pike county.
The first recorded visit to any part of the region was made by Captain Arent Schuyler in 1694. He was sent by Governor Benjamin Fletcher of the provenience of New York under the crown of England to ascertain if the emissaries of the French in Canada had sought to enlist the Indians against the English.
In 1696, governor Fletcher granted authority to a number of citizens of Ulster County to obtain deeds from the Indians in nearby New York. Several descendants of these citizens ultimately became settlers of Pike County.
Probably the first settler in Pike County was Nicholas Depui in 1725. Thomas Quick settled on the site of Milford in 1733 and Andrew Dingman at what would later bear his name, Dingmans Ferry, in 1735. Depui, a man of legendary strength, had good early relations with the Indians as did Quick. However pressure from more and more settlers moving into the area led to land disputes between the Indians and settlers.
The famous 'Walking Purchase' of 1737, where the Indians agreed to relinquish land included in an area that could be walked in a day and a half from Wrightstown with a line then drawn to the Delaware River
The 'walkers' paced off sixty-one miles, but the Indians felt they were had when the line to the Delaware was not drawn in a straight line to the nearest point, but rather a right angle taking in more than half of the present day Pike County
The Indians, resenting the loss of their favorite hunting grounds and encouraged by the French, took to the warpath. The French and Indian war between 1754 and 1763 were years of terror for settlers of the area. One of the early casualties was senior Tom Quick who was shot and scalped while on a trip to gather hoop poles near the Delaware River Quick had previously enjoyed good relations with the Indians, and his youngest son, Tom, Jr., had played and hunted with the Indians. However, the murder of his father turned the younger quick into the 'Avenger of the Delaware', killing an unknown number of Indians even after the wars were over. Robert Ripley in his syndicated 'Believe it or Not' gave credence to the story that Quick died of smallpox and the Indians, hating him, dug up his grave and contracted the disease which killed more of them than he had in a lifetime
Pike County, was formed out of Wayne County in 1814, but lost the area of Smithfield when Morn County was formed in 1836. The first county commissioners were Hezekiah Bingham, Cornelius Case, and John Lattimore.
Coal, Canals, and the Delaware Aqueduct.
As early as Pike County settlers were clearing forests for homesteads and farms, cities to the east were experiencing shortages of wood and fuel. Coal, discovered over the mountains to the northwest in the area of present-day Carbondale, would reveal these shortages only if an economical means of transporting the coal to market could be found. The answer: a combined railroad and canal system. From Carbondale to Honesdale, coal would be transported via a gravity railroad and from Honesdale to New York via a canal. In 1823 the state of New York approved the Delaware and Hudson Canal on a 108-mile waterway between Honesdale, Wayne County, and the Hudson River terminus near present day Kingston, New York. Work on the canal began in 1825 and was completed in 1828. The canal system proved profitable but the section where boats crossed the Delaware River was a perennial trouble spot. The solution in the words of John Roebling: "Build the canal above the water."
The canal company approved plans submitted by Roebling for an innovative suspension design. Compared with conventional wooden bridges of the day, Roebling's plan called for just three piers instead of five that allowed more room for ice flows and timber rafts to pass underneath.
For the next half-century, the aqueduct carried coal boats over the Delaware River without expenses caused by lawsuits and from mud clogged entrances.
The building of New York and Erie Railroad led to the demise of the Delaware and Hudson Canal as engines fed on cheap coal and were able to move freight year round - the canal was forced to close whenever winter froze the water. By 1898, profits dwindled and the canal was abandoned.
The Delaware Aqueduct, or Roebling's Bridge as it is called today, is a National Historic Landmark. The Aqueduct is believed to be the oldest suspension bridge in America. Mr. Roebling is perhaps best known for his design of a much larger national landmark: New York City's Brooklyn Bridge.
Lake Wallenpaupack
In 1924, the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company began damning the Wallenpaupack creek at Wilsonville to harness the waters power to generate electricity. The dam and resultant lake were completed in 1926 and the Wallenpaupack power plant at the end of a three-and-a-half mile long pipeline, was put into service.
PP&L's decision to dam the creek meant more than sealing off one end of the valley and allowing it to fill with water. First the land was purchased from about 100 owners. Land values at that time were around $20 an acre. Farms, barns, homes and other buildings were razed or moved.
Trees were cut in the 5,700 acre lake bed and 17 miles of roads, along with telephone and telegraph poles were rerouted beyond the 52-mile shoreline. It was also necessary to relocate a cemetery.
Construction of the dam required the power of 2,700 men and took two years to complete at a cost of $1,026,000. Today, PP&L owns acreage around the lake to an elevation of 1,200 feet above sea level. Since the lake elevation is 1,190 feet above sea level at capacity, the power company still owns the extra 10 feet right near the shoreline. The power plant is operated today from a control center in Allentown, 100 miles away and provides extra power during periods of peak demand.
When the lake was completed, four areas of company-owned land at various locations around the lake were set aside for public access and for camping. These are the Ledgedale, Ironwood Point, Wilsonville, and Caffrey recreation areas. Lake Wallenpaupack's value as an ideal recreation spot has been evident since its construction. Businesses have sprung up, grown, and prospered as the area around the lake has developed into a major recreation and tourist area of eastern Pennsylvania and nearby New York.
Milford
Milford, Pennsylvania was established in 1796 and, with Dingmans Ferry as its neighbor, the area provides a lush and comfortable country environment for living and recreation. Pike County's county seat, Milford is a growing center of business and commerce that delicately mixes the contemporary with the deeply historical - creating a charming blend of the old and the new. With its vast natural resources, including the Delaware River, State and Federal lands, parks, lakes, streams, waterfalls, forests and abundant wildlife, there are ample opportunities for camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, hunting and cross-country skiing.
Only 90 minutes from New York, Milford has also become a popular weekend and vacation spot, with numerous bed and breakfasts, antiquing, fine dining and golf courses for those looking for a relaxing getaway.
Dingmans Ferry
Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania was established in 1766 when Andreas Dingman built a flat boat to cross the Delaware River, which he operated as a ferry - hence, the origin of the town's name. Today, thousands of travelers cross the Delaware River into Pennsylvania each week on the Dingmans Ferry Bridge, one of the only privately owned and family-run bridges in America. Dingmans Ferry is home to lush State and Federal park land, as well as thriving woodland communities and beautiful lakefront housing.
Schools, Healthcare and Government
Learn more about the area's top-quality schools, local government and local resources by exploring the links below.
- Delaware Valley School District - As stated in the district's mission, Delaware Valley School District, the educational leader of our community, strives for excellence with dedication to diverse educational opportunities. Students of all ages are challenged to maximize intellectual, emotional, social and physical potential. Values, knowledge and skills are nurtured in partnership with family and community. Schools are located in Milford , Dingmans Ferry and Shohola.
- Milford Health and Wellness Center - A division of Newton Memorial Hospital, the Milford Health and Wellness Center houses ten physician groups, as well as diagnostic services including Laboratory and Imaging.
- Pike County Chamber of Commerce - The Pike County Chamber of Commerce provides a rich resource for information about Milford , Pike County and the people and places you'll find here.
Demographics
Information below gathered as of 01-02-2008 Deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
| General Information: |
| ZIP |
18337 |
18336 |
18458 |
18328 |
18340 |
18451 |
18435 |
| Population: |
11,477 |
3,873 |
2,240 |
6,736 |
224 |
254 |
399 |
| Density*: |
139.4 |
280.2 |
45.6 |
68.2 |
74.9 |
270.2 |
104.3 |
| Housing Units: |
6,953 |
1,672 |
3,167 |
4,183 |
111 |
336 |
449 |
| Land Area (sq. mi.): |
82.3 |
13.8 |
49.1 |
98.8 |
3.0 |
0.9 |
3.8 |
| Water Area (sq. mi.): |
1.1 |
|
0.8 |
2.5 |
|
|
0.0 |
| * People per square land mile |
| Educational Achievement: |
| ZIP |
18337 |
18336 |
18458 |
18328 |
18340 |
18451 |
18435 |
| <9th grade: |
2.4% |
3.1% |
2.3% |
1.7% |
1.7% |
|
4.2% |
| 9-12th: |
7.3% |
14.0% |
9.6% |
11.0% |
15.3% |
10.8% |
9.9% |
| H.S. grad: |
37.4% |
39.4% |
40.4% |
46.3% |
36.4% |
41.9% |
39.2% |
| Some coll.: |
20.8% |
22.1% |
19.5% |
21.7% |
14.4% |
18.8% |
33.6% |
| 2 yr deg.: |
7.5% |
5.7% |
6.5% |
5.3% |
9.3% |
5.9% |
2.8% |
| 4 yr deg.: |
15.6% |
9.0% |
13.3% |
9.7% |
15.3% |
15.6% |
8.5% |
| Grad/prof: |
9.0% |
6.7% |
8.4% |
4.3% |
7.6% |
7.0% |
1.8% |
| H.S.+: |
90.3% |
82.9% |
88.2% |
87.3% |
83.1% |
89.2% |
85.9% |
| 4 yr+: |
24.5% |
15.7% |
21.8% |
14.0% |
22.9% |
22.6% |
10.2% |
| Marital Status: |
| ZIP |
18337 |
18336 |
18458 |
18328 |
18340 |
18451 |
18435 |
| Never married: |
19.9% |
19.3% |
15.8% |
18.0% |
13.2% |
23.2% |
21.2% |
| Married: |
63.1% |
59.3% |
68.5% |
68.3% |
66.7% |
68.2% |
63.8% |
| Separated: |
2.0% |
2.0% |
1.9% |
2.0% |
|
0.9% |
1.5% |
| Widowed: |
6.7% |
9.5% |
8.2% |
4.6% |
11.6% |
3.6% |
4.1% |
| Divorced: |
8.3% |
9.8% |
5.7% |
7.0% |
8.5% |
4.1% |
9.4% |
| Stability/Newcomer Appeal: |
| ZIP |
18337 |
18336 |
18458 |
18328 |
18340 |
18451 |
18435 |
| Same home 5+ yrs: |
56.9% |
67.1% |
66.5% |
63.3% |
64.1% |
71.4% |
71.4% |
| Household Income: |
| ZIP |
18337 |
18336 |
18458 |
18328 |
18340 |
18451 |
18435 |
| <$10,000: |
5.8% |
5.3% |
5.7% |
4.4% |
14.9% |
5.3% |
11.8% |
| $10,000-$14,999: |
4.8% |
8.0% |
5.6% |
6.0% |
4.5% |
10.5% |
5.9% |
| $15,000-$24,999: |
8.1% |
14.2% |
14.6% |
10.3% |
3.0% |
4.2% |
20.0% |
| $25,000-$34,999: |
10.8% |
12.4% |
10.4% |
13.4% |
11.9% |
8.4% |
13.5% |
| $35,000-$49,999: |
17.9% |
21.6% |
23.0% |
20.7% |
23.9% |
16.8% |
15.3% |
| $50,000-$74,999: |
25.3% |
21.7% |
24.5% |
26.5% |
38.8% |
32.6% |
24.1% |
| $75,000-$99,999: |
16.1% |
9.2% |
8.8% |
10.1% |
|
12.6% |
5.3% |
| $100,000-$149,999: |
8.8% |
6.1% |
4.9% |
6.5% |
3.0% |
5.3% |
4.1% |
| $150,000-$199,999: |
1.4% |
0.5% |
1.0% |
1.6% |
|
2.1% |
|
| $200,000+: |
1.0% |
1.0% |
1.6% |
0.5% |
|
2.1% |
|
| Median: |
$51,525 |
$40,348 |
$42,451 |
$46,038 |
$41,250 |
$53,250 |
$34,583 |
| Occupation: |
| ZIP |
18337 |
18336 |
18458 |
18328 |
18340 |
18451 |
18435 |
| Mgt./Prof.: |
34.3% |
30.3% |
31.7% |
22.7% |
45.7% |
32.1% |
23.4% |
| Service: |
16.5% |
15.8% |
14.1% |
16.3% |
15.7% |
11.0% |
21.4% |
| Sales/Office: |
26.0% |
28.1% |
22.2% |
26.2% |
11.4% |
28.4% |
32.5% |
| Fish./Farm./Forest.: |
0.2% |
0.3% |
0.2% |
0.1% |
|
|
|
| Constr./Extr./Maint.: |
11.0% |
9.7% |
17.7% |
16.9% |
10.0% |
16.5% |
5.8% |
| Prod./Trans.: |
12.1% |
15.8% |
14.2% |
17.7% |
17.1% |
11.9% |
16.9% |
| Unemployment/Poverty: |
| ZIP |
18337 |
18336 |
18458 |
18328 |
18340 |
18451 |
18435 |
| Unemployed: |
2.4% |
2.1% |
2.8% |
3.1% |
|
5.2% |
6.3% |
| Below Pov. Line: |
5.0% |
5.0% |
6.2% |
6.4% |
5.3% |
6.2% |
10.6% |
| Race: |
| ZIP |
18337 |
18336 |
18458 |
18328 |
18340 |
18451 |
18435 |
| Hispanic/Latino: |
4.6% |
2.7% |
3.7% |
4.6% |
4.9% |
0.8% |
3.3% |
| White*: |
91.4% |
94.2% |
94.9% |
91.8% |
95.1% |
96.9% |
93.7% |
| Black*: |
1.9% |
0.4% |
0.1% |
1.9% |
|
1.2% |
0.8% |
| Native American*: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Asian*: |
0.6% |
1.2% |
0.3% |
0.4% |
|
|
0.5% |
| HI/Pac. Isl.*: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other*: |
0.3% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
|
|
0.3% |
| Multi*: |
1.1% |
1.2% |
0.7% |
1.0% |
|
1.2% |
1.5% |
| * Does not include individuals in this racial group who identify as Hispanic/Latino. |
| Age/Sex: |
| ZIP |
18337 |
18336 |
18458 |
18328 |
18340 |
18451 |
18435 |
| Males: |
49.6% |
47.3% |
49.6% |
49.6% |
48.2% |
53.1% |
51.4% |
| Females: |
50.4% |
52.7% |
50.4% |
50.4% |
51.8% |
46.9% |
48.6% |
| Median Age: |
38.3 |
40.9 |
42.3 |
36.3 |
37.4 |
44.7 |
39.3 |
Area Attractions
Pike County boasts a number of historic, cultural and leisure attractions. Open the links below to learn more about what the area has to offer:
- Black Bear Film Festival - Each Fall, since 2000, studio and independent filmmakers from around the country have descended upon Milford to share their stories and their art.
- Columns Museum - Located in Milford and maintained by the Pike County Historical Society, this museum is home to a number of interesting and important historical artifacts, including the Hiawatha Stagecoach and the Lincoln Flag - the flag President Lincoln was wrapped in at the Ford Theater the night he was assassinated.
- Cliff Park Inn and Golf Club - Offering beautiful views of the Delaware Water Gap and located just outside of Milford , the 500-acre Cliff Park Inn offers fine dining, luxurious lodging and outdoor recreation. Cliff Park features three restaurants, a 9-hole PGA golf course and seven miles of hiking trails.
- Delaware State Forest - Located in Carbon, Pike and Monroe counties, the Delaware State Forest System is a rich natural resource for natural conservation and recreation, including hiking, picnicking and, in Winter, snowmobiling.
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - T his park preserves 40 miles of the middle Delaware River and almost 70,000 acres of land along the river's New Jersey and Pennsylvania shores. Visitors can enjoy canoeing, hiking, camping, swimming, picnicking, bicycling, horseback riding and cross-country skiing in Winter. Fishing and hunting are permitted in season with state licenses.
- The Dimmick Inn - The historic Dimmick Inn, a place as historic as the area itself, is a stopping place that has been in the heart of Milford since 1828. Located in the very center of town, the Dimmick Inn and Steakhouse offers fine accommodations in newly renovated and beautifully decorated guest rooms, suites, and unique guest house, as well as fine dining in the delightful steakhouse - which features an extensive menu of delicious victuals bound to please any palate.
- Grey Towers - Grey Towers is the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service, twice Governor of Pennsylvania and close friend to President Theodore Roosevelt. House and garden tours are offered every day from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Natural resource related groups also use the newly renovated facilities for conferences and meetings. Other Grey Towers activities include short hiking trails, on-site programs and conservation education programs for all ages.
- Muir House - Enjoy fine dining and entertainment at the Muir House Inn and Restaurant in Milford. With antique-furnished overnight guestrooms, the Muir House is also a classic romantic getaway. The Muir House features live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
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