<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Pennsylvania Historical Marker </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Designated </Th> <Td> September 23, 1946 </Td> </Tr> <P> Harrisburg (/ ˈhærɪsbɜːrɡ / HARR - iss - burg; Pennsylvania German: Harrisbarrig) is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States, and the county seat of Dauphin County . With a population of 49,192, it is the 15th largest city in the Commonwealth . It lies on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, 107 miles (172 km) west of Philadelphia . Harrisburg is the anchor of the Susquehanna Valley metropolitan area, which had a 2017 estimated population of 571,903, being the third most populous in Pennsylvania and 96th most populous in the United States . </P> <P> Harrisburg played a notable role in American history during the Westward Migration, the American Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution . During part of the 19th century, the building of the Pennsylvania Canal and later the Pennsylvania Railroad allowed Harrisburg to become one of the most industrialized cities in the Northeastern United States . The U.S. Navy ship USS Harrisburg, which served from 1918 to 1919 at the end of World War I, was named in honor of the city . In the mid-to - late 20th century, the city's economic fortunes fluctuated with its major industries consisting of government, heavy manufacturing, agriculture, and food services (nearby Hershey is home of the chocolate maker, located just 10 miles (16 km) east). </P>

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