Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania

American Historic Small-Town Itineraries

Located in a rich agricultural region known as the Cumberland Valley in South Central Pennsylvania,

Mechanicsburg was named for a settlement of mechanics who made and repaired Conestoga wagons in the early 19^th century. Its continued growth as transport hub resulted from its designation as a water station where workers could restock the locomotive's wood and pump water.

Mechanicsburg and Trains

Grain and feed companies, lumber yards and numerous factories were built alongside the railroad tracks. Archives show that, at one time, there were twenty-five trains chugging through the town daily carrying travelers, mail, coal, feathers, fruit, and newspapers. During the Civil War, the railroad was an invaluable method of transporting troops and supplies. Today, up to six trains travel through each day.

Present-day Mechanicsburg is Centered on a 100-acres (40 ha) tract Purchased from William Penn

The town went by several different names:

Drytown because of the extreme scarcity of water during the winter and summer.

Pinchgut a German word signifying a small village with only a few people.

Staufferstown, in honor of Henry Stauffer, the owner of much of the land in the center of town.

On June 28, 1863, Confederate troops raided Mechanicsburg, and two days later, met with Union forces just east of town. This was the northernmost engagement of the Civil War. Following the Skirmish of Sporting Hill, the Confederate forces retreated south into the town of Gettysburg.

The Oldest Building in Mechanicsburg is the Frankeberger Tavern. One of Mechanicsburg's first residents was George Frankeberger, who in 1801 applied for a license to open his newly built log home for the convenience of travelers between Harrisburg and Carlisle.

The Mechanicsburg Museum is a cluster of historic buildings from the 1800s where visitors can learn about Cumberland Valley history. The two-story Freight Station Museum & Museum Store was once used for freight shipments and deliveries. It now houses a modern museum space and gift shop.

The Cumberland Valley Beer Trail tour and taste a pint at Cumberland Valley pubs; Valley breweries and restaurants welcome locals and visitors to sample their unique flavors of craft brews.

Pennsylvania Counties Cities Boroughs and Townships

traditions dating back to William Penn

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a tradition of local government rule that dates back to a charter from King Charles II of England to William Penn who divided the colony into counties, boroughs, townships and cities, each with unique characteristics.

Pennsylvania state law determines the type of municipality on the basis of population with nine classes of counties, four classes of cities, and two classes of townships. Boroughs are not classified. Each municipality class operates under its own laws, determining its structure and powers.

Home Rule Charters determine the operating structure of a community. A home rule municipality drafts and amends its own charter and exercises powers not denied by the Pennsylvania state constitution.

Over 70 Pennsylvania Municipalities have Home Rule Charters

William Penn established Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester Counties in 1682. Lancaster was established in 1729; the 67^th and last county dates back to 1878. Today, each commonwealth resident lives in and comes under the jurisdiction of one county with Lycoming County the largest in size and the city-county of Philadelphia is the smallest geographically but the largest in population. 

County Government governing bodies are typically three-member board of county commissioners with many other elected officials independent of the commissioners who form the legislative and executive branches of the county, authorized to administer human services, land use planning and local law enforcement. They also pass ordinances, assess all real and personal property for tax purposes, register voters, and maintain county buildings.

Townships were the First Political Subdivision in the New World

Townships are the oldest form of organized government in the United States, dating back to the 17^th century. William Penn began establishing townships in Pennsylvania as early as 1683, with about 10 families to each. The Industrial Revolution brought development around cities and boroughs that began to annex the developed portions of adjacent townships without the need for citizen approval. Today, 1,456 second class townships represent nearly one-half of Pennsylvania’s residents.

Boroughs before the American Revolution, one borough was established in each of the three original counties. Since then, the number of boroughs has increased to 961, making them the second most common form of municipal government in Pennsylvania. A borough mayor has no power to hire employees or direct programs but can veto decisions of the borough council. Responsibilities include executing and enforcing borough ordinances and regulations, representing the borough at community events and other functions, and taking charge of the police department. The governing body is an elected council of seven members that serve four-year overlapping terms.

Philadelphia Pittsburgh and Scranton have Elected Mayor with Broad Powers

Cities Philadelphia, Chester, Lancaster, Easton and York were the state’s first cities; Altoona and Reading grew with the railroad industry, while Johnstown, Bethlehem, Clairton, and Coatesville became steel industry towns. The other 53 remaining cities are operate mostly under a government commission in which residents elect a mayor to serve as commission chairman with four other council members, each heading one commission department.

Connect with Tema

To Visit the Counties Cities Boroughs and Townships of Pennsylvania

Knowledge Tourism 

tema@arezza.net   skype arezza1   arezza.org 

Bucks County PA Historic Towns and Boroughs

Bristol New Hope Doylestown Yardley Morrisville

Bucks County is one of the three original counties created by William Penn in 1682. Pennsbury Manor stands on the point of land formed by the Delaware River between Morrisville and Bristol. Painstaking research went into restoring the prim-fronted, three-storied, brick manor-house, rebuilt on the original foundations.

Bristol is the oldest town in Bucks County and the third oldest in Pennsylvania. It is the southern terminus of the D&L Trail characterized by coal yards, shipyards, warehouses and textile mills. Its Delaware Riverfront resembles a New England seaport. During World War II, the shipyards were converted for use in the manufacturing of aircraft. Today, Bristol hosts special events near the river and the 50-site Radcliffe Street Historic District. The Spurline Trail presents the town’s improved waterfront and the nearby 235 acre sanctuary Silver Lake Nature Center offers three miles of trails and habitats of more than 160 species of birds, raccoon, muskrats, opossum and deer.

New Hope started out as an industrial town and by the end of the 18^th century it had a variety of mills, ranging from grist and lumber to those that produced flour and processed flax. In the 1820s, cotton spinning and weaving joined the list of businesses on the banks of the Delaware. Veterans from both the American Revolution and War of 1812 called New Hope home, and the streets are lined with houses dating back to that era. Most of the oldest houses are on Ferry Street.

The Canal brought renewed economic activity to New Hope. During the late 1860s an estimated 100 canal boats a day passed through New Hope. During the 1920s and 30s, the village, nearby hamlets and farms became a flourishing art colony. By the mid-century, it became a stopping point for plays bound for Broadway, and home to New York and Philadelphia artists, musicians, writers and the New Hope School of Pennsylvania Impressionists.

Smart Trip Planning

Logistics Locations Costs Time and Personalized Travel Solutions

Doylestown is home to historic architecture, sidewalks lined with brick pavers and Victorian-style street lamps, the James A. Michener Art Museum, and the famous Mercer Mile comprising Fonthill Museum, Mercer Museum, and the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works.

The Heritage Conservancy is a community-based organization dedicated to preserving and protecting open spaces, natural resources and historic heritage as well as conservation best practices.

The US Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic States

Yardley dates back to 1682, when William Yardley paid William Penn 10 pounds for 500 acres of land. It wasn’t until 1807 that Yardley began to develop into a village, and by 1880 the population stood at 820 residents. Early industries included a spoke and handle factory, sawmill, plate and plaster mill, and two flour mills. During the Civil War, Yardley was a safe haven on the Underground Railroad. Hiding places included the Continental Tavern, warehouse bins along the Delaware Canal, and the town’s General Store. The Yardley Grist Mill has been a center of commerce since its inception in the late 1600s.

Historic Preservation much of Yardley has retained its historic integrity thanks to the creation of a well-maintained historic district. The majority of the buildings within the district are along South Main Street, with examples of Second Empire, Queen Anne, and Victorian Gothic architecture. Canal Street runs parallel to the Delaware Canal and is dotted with small, predominantly frame structures dating from 1840. Canal bridges and an aqueduct are within the district as well as rows of pre-canal stone homes.

The Town of Morrisville is located at the falls of the Delaware River across from Trenton and is the oldest town in Bucks County and third oldest in Pennsylvania. One-half mile from the falls of the Delaware River, nobleman Thomas Barclay’s 1765 Georgian mansion known as Summerseat once served as Washington’s headquarters. Declaration of Independence and Constitution signers Robert Morris, financier of the revolution and George Clymer were subsequent owners of this National Historic Site.

Connect to Receive a Detailed Itinerary

for Travel to Historic Bucks County Pennsylvania Towns

Local Knowledge – Global Reach

tema@arezza.net |skype arezza1