Black Creek Township, Pennsylvania
History
Black Creek Township was established from a section of Sugarloaf Township on August 8, 1848. It was named after Black Creek (a stream which runs through the township).
The township grew slowly during its early years. Farmers had to clear away thick forests in order to utilize the land. The early lumbermen were also busy cutting down the forests which blanketed the mountainous landscape. The first sawmill and gristmill were built by Martin and William Rittenhouse in 1810.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 24.6 square miles (64 km), of which 24.5 square miles (63 km) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km), or 0.45%, is water. The township is south of PA 93 (originally the Lehigh-Susquehanna Turnpike). It is also west of the Interstate 80—Interstate 81 interchange. I-80 runs through the northern portion of the township. It cuts through a mountain pass (which was formed by Nescopeck Creek).
Black Creek Township is crossed by a series of east-to-west mountains. Small farming communities are scattered throughout the many valleys which make up the township. Some of the township's villages are Mountain Grove, Rock Glen, and Weston. The small farming community of Nuremberg is partially located in Black Creek Township (Luzerne County) and North Union Township (Schuylkill County).