This partial list of city nicknames in Pennsylvania compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities, boroughs, and towns in Pennsylvania are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.Muench, David "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts" , December 1993, accessed April 10, 2007.
Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :) , MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. Many of the unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.
Allentown A Town"Why do they call it the Queen City?", WFMZ, April 16, 2010 Band City USA. "1967: Allentown named Band City-U.S.A" Peanut City. "Allentown's title as the Peanut City goes back to the late 19th and early 20th century when large amounts of them were eaten in the Lehigh Valley. From the 1880s to the 1920s, vendors lined Hamilton Street, singing jingles in Pennsylvania Dutch about the superior quality of their peanuts. Former Call-Chronicle Sunday editor John Y. Kohl recalled in 1967 that the peanuts were eaten mostly by young men and boys who would walk Hamilton Street on Saturday nights flirting with girls and 'throwing the shells about with complete abandon.' Sunday morning sidewalks were 'not quite ankle deep' in shells. Merchants would get up early to sweep them into the gutter so churchgoers would not have to wade through them.'" Silk City. "Silk City for example, is a throwback to the late 19th and early 20th century, when Allentown was known for its many silk mills. Although the last mill closed a few years ago, the name hangs on in the minds of older residents." The Queen City. "Queen City's origins as an Allentown nickname are obscure. It is believed to come from a turn-of-the-century competition hosted by the Allentown Chamber of Commerce. The winning entry was said to be Queen City." Truck Capital of the WorldClaims to Fame - Products , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Bethlehem Christmas City U.S.A. Erie The Flagship City The Gem City Hanover Snack capital of the worldClaims to Fame - Food , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Hershey Chocolate capital of the world Chocolate TownU.S. City Monikers , Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008 The sweetest place on EarthTagline Guru City Branding Survey , Tagline Guru website, accessed August 18, 2009 Indiana Christmas tree capital of the worldIndiana County Christmas Tree Growers Association website, accessed December 21, 2008History of Indiana County , IndianaPC.org website, accessed December 21, 2008 Johnstown Flood CityHistory & Heritage , Johnstown & Cambria County Convention & Visitors Bureau website, accessed November 19, 2008 The Friendly City The Dirty J
Lancaster The Red Rose City 'New Castle' Fireworks Capital Philadelphia Filthadelphia or Filthydelphia Killadelphia Philly The City of Brotherly LoveBarry Popik, Smoky City , barrypopik.com website, March 27, 2005 The Great Fighting City of Philadelphia"Philadelphia Sports in 1980", Sports History Network, September 26, 2021 The Place That Loves You Back Pittsburgh
Birmingham of America The 'Burgh The City of Bridges City of champions Iron City Shitsburgh Steel City The Smoky City Punxsutawney Weather capital of the worldClaims to Fame - Weather , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Reading Baseballtown Pretzel capital of the world Pretzel City Scranton The Electric City The Anthracite Capital of the world The All America City Steamtownhttp://www.scrantonpa.gov/ Retrieved 2008-02-14. State College Happy Valley Retrieved 2008-08-07. Wilkes-Barre Diamond City York The White Rose City
See also List of city nicknames in the United States
References
External links "What's in a nickname? For PA cities, memories of a time long past", WHYY-FM, January 2, 2017