A Brief History of the Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania area.

The first European settlers of record in the area are James Silver and William Trindle in 1728. Trindle must have been acquainted with Silver as he settled at the head of Silver's Spring. James Silver staked out a tomahawk tract of 532 acres just below the head of the spring that bears his name. It includes land to the east and west of the run as far as the junction with the Conodoguinet Creek. To further legalize the ownership of this tract, a Bunston License was granted to Silver in 1735. Near the western border of Silver's tract was Church Road, which led to a log church building at the side of the stream. This log structure functioned as both church and school until Silver received a grant for additional acreage south and east of the spring. On August 15, 1744 Silver purchased 240 acres above the head of the spring. By Jan. 27, 1750 Cumberland County, named after Cumberlandshire, England, was officially designated as the sixth county in Pennsylvania. It was separated from Lancaster County by petition to the Pennsylvania Colonial Assembly by James Silver and William Magaw.

Sometime around 1780 Leonard Fisher purchased 100 acres from the Joseph Heynes land tract, part of an original grant of 267 acres from William Penn.

In 1792 The Trindle Road (The Great Road) and Simpson Ferry Road (Road to Simpson Ferry) were built passing through land that is now within the borough. The tiny settlement of about 2 or 3 houses was called "Pinchgut", a German name of derision.

On December 2, 1800 Leonard Fisher sold to George Frankeberger 21 acres at a cost of 140 pounds. In 1804, Frankeberger purchased an additional 26 acres. 

In 1801 George Frankeberger received a licence to operate a tavern that provided meals and overnight lodging. Many of his early customers were cattle drivers. This tavern, made of logs, is the oldest building currently existing in the borough of Mechanicsburg and stands on East Main Street. 

By 1807, there were enough houses (five or six) to call it a village. It was known as either Pinchgut or Drytown. By this year Henry Stauffer had built his house on a large tract of land that is now the center of town. 1807 would be the year that later generations would regard as the real 'birth' of the town.

1808 The Kinsey family built a home at the corner of Locust and Frederick Streets. 

Around 1812 John Gusweiler gave land at the corner of Chestnut and Locust Streets where a school was built. The name "Mechanicsburg" started to appear as early as 1812 because of the wagon mechanics who set up shops all along Trindle and Simpson Ferry Road. 

In 1816 the first brick house was built by Lewis Zearing at the corner of Main and York Streets. It was referred to as "The Mansion." In 1818 John Coover built the home at Frederick and Main Streets. 

1819 John Gusweiler laid out the first lots in the eastern part of the town. Descendants of Gusweiler operated a retail store in the borough for many years.

1820 Henry Stauffer laid out his land into building lots. He provided for a public square. This area was referred to as Staufferstown. By 1820 there were about 20 houses in the town. 

The oldest public building is Union Church, built in 1825. It has never had a permanent congregation or a regular pastor but many of Mechanicsburg's congregations used the Union Church as a meeting place until they could afford their own place of worship. 

April 12, 1828 The State Assembly at Harrisburg under a special act passed the Act of Incorporation " to erect the Town of Mechanicsburg, in the County of Cumberland, into a Borough."

May 16, 1828 First town council met and elected Henry Ford as the burgess. 

The 1830 census showed 544 residents in Mechanicsburg.

April 2, 1831 The Legislature passed an act to provide for the incorporation of the Cumberland Valley Railroad, the "CVRR". The Mechanicsburg Station was opened in 1837 and quickly became the town's link to the world of business and industry. Grain and feed companies, a lumber yard, and numerous factories were purposely built along side the railroad tracks. Archives show that, at one time, there were twenty-five trains chugging through the town daily carrying travelers, coal, feathers, fruit, ice, mail and newspapers. During the Civil War, the railroad was an invaluable method of transporting troops and supplies. 

1834 The "Free School Law" required that all children attend school until they received an elementary education. 

1835-1855 "Old Brown School House" in back of the Union Church was used for elementary education. It was a four room school house. 

1840 A "select school" was established by F.M.L. Gillelen. In 1854 the "select school" became the Cumberland Valley Institute, an all boy's school on West Main between York and Washington Streets. By 1859 Girls were admitted to Cumberland Valley Institute. 

The 1850 census showed 882 residents in Mechanicsburg.

By 1858, there were four public schools from elementary to high school.

In 1858 Irving College was founded by Solomon P. Gorgas (The State Legislature granted the charter in 1857). The College discontinued classes in 1929. 

1858 Washington Fire Company was founded. 

1858 Borough police patrol was formed and a small jail called "the lockup" was built. 

1858- Franklin Hall built. Demolished in 1926. 

The 1860 census showed 1,939 residents in Mechanicsburg, a large increase.

In 1861 the Mechanicsburg Bank was established, in 1864 the First National Bank, and in 1927 First Bank and Trust. 

In the 1860's the CVRR station, Stationmaster's house, and portion of the freight station were built. 

1862 First cement pavement in front of Union Church. 

In June, 1862 Mechanicsburg residents saw the first of the Civil War when 450 Confederate prisoners passed through on the CVRR on their way to the Union stockade at Harrisburg. 

On June 28, 1863 Confederate troops led by General Jenkins invaded Mechanicsburg. He demanded 1,500 rations for his men and grain for the horses. Jenkins set up headquarters at the Railroad Hotel (the present day borough parking lot). By Wednesday, July 1st, the Rebel troops left town and headed toward Carlisle. 

1863 Street lights fueled by coal oil. A few churches installed them earlier. 

In 1870 the census showed 2,569 residents in Mechanicsburg.

1872 - two story school built at Simpson and High Streets

July 26, 1888 The Rescue Hook and Ladder Company was founded. 

In 1890 the census showed 3,691 residents in Mechanicsburg.

1895 Electric street lights were installed by Cumberland Light, Heat and Power Co. 

In 1900 the census showed 3,841 residents in Mechanicsburg.

From 1900 through 1936 Cumberland Valley Electric Passenger Railroad ran trolley cars. 

In January 1902 The Philadelphia Liberty Bell toured the country on a flat bed railroad car and came through Mechanicsburg. About 2,000 people gathered to see the bell. 

In 1903 the Citizen's Fire Company was founded and Rakestraw's Ice Cream store was started. 

In 1906 the first mention of repairs to the business district sewer system are found but no date was found for their being installed.
In 1949 Residential sewers were installed throughout the town. 

July 3 & 4, 1907 Centennial of the beginning of the town. Two big parades were held. The "Glorious Fourth Parade" had over 6,000 people viewing it. The "Industrial Parade" on Thursday had over 15,000 people viewing the parade and 1,500 people in the parade. 

1909 Main Street was paved with bricks.

The 1910 census showed 4,469 residents in Mechanicsburg.

1919 CVRR was bought by the Pennsylvania Railroad.

In 1919 the first High School football game was played and in 1924 the first high school baseball game. In 1929 a Girls' Intramural sports program began and in 1931 the first HS basketball game.

In 1920 the Boy Scouts of America was chartered in Mechanicsburg. Harry Mercer was first scoutmaster. By the mid 1920's the Girl Scouts of America were organized as well. 

1920 Stop signs were installed throughout the town. 

In 1922 Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Park, dedicated the veterans of World War I was opened. 

1923 First Farmer and Merchants Jubilee Day- discontinues during World War II. Jubilee Day had events such as baby contests, Miss Mechanicsburg, craft demonstrations, livestocks, cars, etc. 

1926 First traffic light at the corner of Main and Markets Streets. 

The 1930 census showed 5,647 residents in Mechanicsburg.

1936 Seidle Hospital opened. 

The 1940 census showed 5,709 residents in Mechanicsburg.

1941 The US Naval Supply Depot was started on 840 acres of former farm land just outside the borough in Hampden Township.

1941 First parking meter. 

1947 The football stadium was dedicated to those who lost their lives in World War II. 

The 1950 census showed 6,786 residents in Mechanicsburg. The 1960 census showed 8,123 residents in Mechanicsburg.

In 1961 the Library was in a house on West Simpson Street and in 1962 moved to larger quarters at the corner of Frederick and Simpson Streets. 

In 1969 the new Mechanicsburg Area High School was built at Broad Street. 

The 1970 census showed 9,385 residents in Mechanicsburg, the 1980 census showed 9,487 residents and the 1990 census showed 9,478 residents.

1996 Library moved to Walnut Street. 

The 2000 census showed 9,042 residents in Mechanicsburg.