Kane, Pennsylvania

Kane, Pennsylvania
Borough
Downtown Kane in October 2011
Downtown Kane in October 2011
Location in McKean County, Pennsylvania
Location in McKean County, Pennsylvania
Kane is located in Pennsylvania
Kane
Kane
Location within Pennsylvania
Kane is located in the United States
Kane
Kane
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 41°39′42″N 78°48′37″W / 41.66167°N 78.81028°W / 41.66167; -78.81028
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyMcKean
Settled1864
Incorporated1887
Government
 • MayorBrandy Schimp (R)
Area
 • Total
1.57 sq mi (4.06 km2)
 • Land1.56 sq mi (4.05 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
2,211 ft (674 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
3,630
 • Density2,319/sq mi (895.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
16735
Area code814
FIPS code42-38688
Websitekanepa.com

Kane is a borough in McKean County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, 87 miles (140 km) east-southeast of Erie. It was founded in 1864 by Civil War General Thomas L. Kane of the famous Bucktail Regiment. In the early part of the 20th century, Kane was an industrial hub. The population peaked in the 1920s, but has since declined to 3,630 people as of the 2020 census.

History

19th century

Kane was founded by Brigadier General Thomas L. Kane and his wife Elizabeth Denniston Wood Kane, M.D. Thomas L. Kane was the second son of Judge John Kintzing Kane of Philadelphia, a prominent associate of Presidents Jackson and Polk. Elizabeth Kane and three of their four children became physicians in Kane.

The Kane mansion, also called Anoatok, Kane Armory, Thomas L. Kane Memorial Chapel, and the New Thomson House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Kane mansion, known as the Kane Manor, is now a bed and breakfast inn. Reliquarian House, which exists in the Silverside Estate, was built by General Thomas Kane's son, Elisha, as a 90% replica of the original family home, which burned down not long after Thomas's death.

20th century

In the early part of the 20th century, Kane had large glass works, bottle works, lumber mills, and manufactures of brush handles, saws, cutlery, screen doors and windows.

Kane was a popular summer vacation destination in the 1950s and 60s.[citation needed]

Kane Tornado of 1985

On May 31, 1985, a tornado destroyed many homes in Kane and neighboring East Kane. The F4 tornado passed through town at approximately 8:15 PM and resulted in 3 deaths. This was the worst natural disaster in Kane's history.

Geography

Kane is located in southwestern McKean County at an elevation of over 2,000 feet (610 m). U.S. Route 6 passes through the borough as Biddle Street and North Fraley Street; it leads northeast 11 miles (18 km) to Mount Jewett and northwest 27 miles (43 km) to Warren. The city of Erie is 87 miles (140 km) to the northwest via US-6. Pennsylvania Route 66 has its northern terminus in Kane and leads southwest 50 miles (80 km) to Clarion. Pennsylvania Route 321 passes through the eastern part of the borough as Hacker Street and Brick Yard Road; it leads southeast 8 miles (13 km) to Wilcox and northwest 9 miles (14 km) to the Kinzua Creek arm of the Allegheny Reservoir.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2), of which 0.001 square miles (0.003 km2), or 0.06%, are water. Kane sits on a plateau which drains north to Hubert Run, a tributary of Kinzua Creek; southeast to Wilson Run, a tributary of the West Branch of the Clarion River; and southwest to the East Branch of Tionesta Creek. Kinzua Creek, the Clarion River, and Tionesta Creek are all tributaries of the Allegheny River.

Climate

Kane has a humid continental climate (Köppen Climate Dfb) with long, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The record low in Kane is −35 °F (−37 °C) and the record high is 98 °F (37 °C) Late fall/early winter is especially snowy due to heavy amounts of lake effect snow from Lake Erie and, to a lesser extent, Lake Ontario. Lake effect snow during cold snaps in early spring also helps to raise snowfall totals.

Kane is the coldest city in Pennsylvania by annual mean.[citation needed]

Climate data for Kane, Pennsylvania (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1940–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 68
(20)		 71
(22)		 81
(27)		 87
(31)		 95
(35)		 98
(37)		 98
(37)		 93
(34)		 92
(33)		 85
(29)		 77
(25)		 70
(21)		 98
(37)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 30.4
(−0.9)		 33.2
(0.7)		 42.3
(5.7)		 55.9
(13.3)		 67.4
(19.7)		 75.1
(23.9)		 78.7
(25.9)		 77.5
(25.3)		 70.8
(21.6)		 58.6
(14.8)		 45.6
(7.6)		 34.9
(1.6)		 55.9
(13.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 21.8
(−5.7)		 23.0
(−5.0)		 31.2
(−0.4)		 43.1
(6.2)		 53.8
(12.1)		 62.2
(16.8)		 65.9
(18.8)		 64.6
(18.1)		 58.0
(14.4)		 47.0
(8.3)		 36.6
(2.6)		 27.4
(−2.6)		 44.6
(7.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 13.2
(−10.4)		 12.9
(−10.6)		 20.2
(−6.6)		 30.3
(−0.9)		 40.2
(4.6)		 49.4
(9.7)		 53.2
(11.8)		 51.7
(10.9)		 45.2
(7.3)		 35.4
(1.9)		 27.5
(−2.5)		 20.0
(−6.7)		 33.3
(0.7)
Record low °F (°C) −35
(−37)		 −32
(−36)		 −24
(−31)		 0
(−18)		 14
(−10)		 24
(−4)		 30
(−1)		 25
(−4)		 17
(−8)		 10
(−12)		 −6
(−21)		 −26
(−32)		 −35
(−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.82
(97)		 2.83
(72)		 3.56
(90)		 4.24
(108)		 4.51
(115)		 4.73
(120)		 4.62
(117)		 4.43
(113)		 3.91
(99)		 4.03
(102)		 3.84
(98)		 3.99
(101)		 48.51
(1,232)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 25.4
(65)		 20.4
(52)		 13.4
(34)		 2.9
(7.4)		 0.1
(0.25)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.8
(2.0)		 8.2
(21)		 21.7
(55)		 92.9
(236)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 19.6 15.8 15.0 14.7 14.1 13.8 12.2 11.7 11.9 14.6 15.1 18.5 177.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 14.5 11.7 7.2 2.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 5.1 11.2 52.7
Source: NOAA

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18902,944—
19005,29679.9%
19106,62625.1%
19207,2839.9%
19306,232−14.4%
19406,133−1.6%
19505,706−7.0%
19605,380−5.7%
19705,001−7.0%
19804,916−1.7%
19904,590−6.6%
20004,126−10.1%
20103,730−9.6%
20203,630−2.7%
Sources:

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Kane had a population of 3,630. The median age was 42.8 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.1 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,572 households in Kane, of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.8% were married-couple households, 22.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,765 housing units, of which 10.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%.

Racial composition as of the 2020 census
RaceNumberPercent
White3,39393.5%
Black or African American210.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native00.0%
Asian170.5%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander00.0%
Some other race160.4%
Two or more races1835.0%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)581.6%

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 3,730 people, 1,758 households, and 1,052 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,331.25 people per square mile. There were 1,993 housing units at an average density of 1,179.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 98.91% White, 0.12% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.82% of the population.

There were 1,758 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $30,460, and the median income for a family was $38,672. Males had a median income of $32,318 versus $20,907 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $16,167. About 11.1% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

Recreation

Kane's proximity to Allegheny National Forest provides access to activities including hiking, fishing, and boating. Other local parks include Kinzua Bridge State Park and Evergreen Park.

Kane is home to the Kane Family Drive-In Theatre.

For 20 years, Kane has hosted Art in the Wilds, a fine arts show held in Evergreen Park during the fourth weekend of June.

Media

Radio stations based in and around Warren and Saint Marys are also audible in the Kane area.

No television stations currently serve the Kane region, with the only television service coming from cable and satellite providers. For the purpose of designated market areas, Kane is at the southwestern corner of the Buffalo television market, but is geographically closer to the Central Pennsylvania market. Both markets' stations (as well as, occasionally, those of the Erie market, whose DMA ends in neighboring Warren County) are seen on local cable and satellite providers.

Industry

The Holgate Toy Company was for many years based in Kane. One of the more famous toys they manufactured was a wooden replica of the Mister Rogers Trolley car, seen in every single episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The company has since relocated to Bradford.

Education

The Kane Area School District, which covers the municipality, has two schools that house the district's 1,220 students (as of the 2013–14 school year). Kane Area High School, which opened in 1972, is located just outside Kane in Wetmore Township. The high school sits on the former site of General Thomas Kane's homestead, which burned to the ground in 1896. The high school auditorium stage is roughly where Gen. Kane's front porch would have sat, looking out over the valley where the present-day football field and track sit. The high school houses grades nine through twelve.

The Kane Area Elementary-Middle School is located on West Hemlock Avenue and opened in 2010. The existing middle school was renovated in a multimillion-dollar project by the district, and a new elementary wing was added on the east side of the former junior high. The elementary-middle school houses students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The construction of the new addition at the middle school was in response to KASD's board of directors voting to close the Mount Jewett Elementary School and the Chestnut Street Elementary School. Mount Jewett closed after the 2006–07 school year, while Chestnut Street closed after the 2009–10 school year. The Mount Jewett school has since been sold to a private businessman. The Chestnut Street Complex is currently owned by Kane Innovations and used as office space for Kane Innovations, the KASD, Head Start, and the Intermediate Unit 9.

Notable residents

References

  1. ↑ "Schimp takes Kane mayoral race, other Kane winners announced". The Bradford Era. November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "P1. Race – Kane borough, Pennsylvania: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Grow, Matthew J. (2009). "Thomas L. Kane and Nineteenth-Century American Culture". BYU Studies Quarterly. 48 (4) 3. Retrieved July 6, 2026 – via BYU ScholarsArchive.
  5. 1 2 "Kane History". Kane Manor Inn. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "A Self-Guided Tour for the History Buff". Kane Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  7. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  8. ↑ Fleming, Brianne (November 2, 2024). "The Reliquarian House in Kane is full of history, 'unexplained' experiences". The Courier Express. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Day 62- Glass factory stories". Kane Chamber of Commerce. August 21, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Scipio Kane: A Legacy of Resilience and Enterprise in McKean County". Lumber Heritage Region. November 25, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  11. ↑ Keller, Robin (September 30, 2019). "A Tale of Rural Manufacturing: Kane PA". NWIRC. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  12. ↑ Dornsife, Paul (1985). "PA Tornado Outbreak of May, 31 1985". Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Pennsylvania State University. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Station: Kane 1NNE, PA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  16. ↑ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  18. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ↑ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  20. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  21. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  22. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Kane". Pennsylvania Wilds. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Kinzua Bridge State Park". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  25. ↑ "24 Hours of Things to Do in Kane PA". My Trails Are Many. May 2, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Drive-In Theaters for Your Summer Movie Nights". Visit PA. May 1, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  27. ↑ "KANE: Art in the Wilds marks 20 years". The Bradford Era. June 29, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  28. ↑ Pogel, Gabby (July 10, 2025). "Unique methods used by rural newspapers to connect with their readers". Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  29. ↑ "101.7 WXZY - Kane, PA". WXZY. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Frequencies". WPSU. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  31. ↑ Venta, Lance (June 6, 2013). "WBYB Move Leads To Twin Tiers Shuffle". RadioInsight. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  32. ↑ "List of AM radio stations deleted from the FCC database". Mesa Mike. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Media Markets In and Around Pennsylvania". Center for Rural Pennsylvania. 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Holgate Wood Toys featuring Mister Rogers' Neighborhood". HolgateToy. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Finding Safe Toys". CBS News. October 2, 2007. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  36. ↑ Geography Division (January 14, 2021). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: McKean County, PA (PDF) (Map). Suitland, Maryland: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 6, 2026. - Text list
  37. ↑ "Kane Area School District" (PDF). Arbiter. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Area News Briefs". Endeavor News. September 30, 2006. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  39. ↑ "CHESTNUT STREET CENTER, LLC". Kane Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  40. ↑ Juliano, Joe (May 10, 2009). "Hall of Famer Daly dies of cancer at 78". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. E01. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Obituary information for John Francis Shaw". Langeland Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Amy Rudolph". USA Track and Field. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  43. ↑ Kozinn, Allan (October 28, 2009). "Maryanne Amacher, 71, Visceral Composer, Dies". The New York Times. p. 30. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  44. ↑ "DR. EVAN KANE DIES OF PNEUMONIA AT 71". The New York Times. April 2, 1932. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 6, 2026.