Lying along the banks of the Susquehanna River, the state capital of Pennsylvania is both historic and beautiful. Named the 2nd best place in the United States to live in 2010 by Forbes Magazine, Harrisburg is the focal point of the Susquehanna Valley metropolitan area and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania with an estimated population of 572,000 as of 2017. Reflecting Harrisburg’s rich past, there are 10 different districts within the city named to the national registry of historic area.
Harrisburg’s Strategic Position in Pennsylvania and Our History
Due to its strategic position at a pass in a mountain ridge (the Susquehanna River flows west to east in this region), Harrisburg was a perfect navigation route for boat traffic both east and west, as well as being a major rail center linking the Atlantic Coast to the Midwest. This location made it a major training center for the Union Army during the Civil War, making it an important target of the Confederate Army in two separate battles. This same location made Harrisburg a major stopping place for the “Underground Army,” where escaped slaves were fed and supplied on the trip north towards Canada.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex
It was mainly due to its location that Harrisburg was selected as the state capital by the legislature in 1812. The Pennsylvania State Capital Complex is an incredible collection of the finest architecture of the times. Sitting on more than 50 acres of landscaped park environments with many monuments and memorials, there are eight iconic buildings within the complex:
The Pennsylvania State Capital – built in 1902, it is nationally recognized for its interior opulence and artwork. The building features paintings, stained glass, and furnishings by some of the best artisans of the period, and incorporate various Renaissance designs such as Italian, French, English, Greek, Roman and Victorian. The crown jewel of the Capital is the spectacular 272-foot, 52-million-pound dome – inspired by Michelangelo’s design for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. When President Theodore Roosevelt attended the building’s dedication in 1906, he stated, “This is the handsomest building I ever saw.”
The North and South Buildings – Built in 1927 and 1919, these are of similar size to the Capital Building, built of Indian Limestone in the Classical Revival style.
Between these buildings is a circular walkway that provides access to the other buildings on the complex, with a huge fountain in the center.
Ryan Office Building – Finished in 1894, this is the oldest building in the complex.
The Forum and the Finance Building – Across the street in a park that contains the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Grave sets the Forum and the Finance Building. Both of these buildings were also built of Indian Limestone in the same Classical Revival style.
State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Department of Transportation – The complex was further extended to include these newer buildings: the non-profit museum designed in a Modernist architectural style and the adjacent PennDOT building.
Harrisburg has many other wonderful sites and parks to visit, so plan on taking an extra day or two when visiting this beautiful area.
Expert Harrisburg Long Distance Movers
O’Brien’s Moving & Storage is the Harrisburg long distance moving company that you can trust to get you safely to your new home. Our long-distance movers in Harrisburg, PA proudly serve area residents as a trusted agent of Allied Van Lines, offering the resources, skills, and training needed to handle any relocation with ease. We are committed to delivering exceptional quality and service, and we’ll come to you for a free estimate and consultation to design a long-distance moving plan that meets your needs. Our selection of professional long-distance moving services can take you anywhere!
- Interstate Movers: Moving to a new state doesn’t have to be a daunting task, when you have our Harrisburg movers handling the packing, transport, storage, and unloading!
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Schedule Your Long Distance Moving Consultation
A long-distance move requires the expertise of a professional move coordinator for a seamless, stress-free process. Wherever life takes you, we can help get you there. Contact us today to learn more from our friendly Harrisburg movers and get a free long-distance moving quote.
