National Register Listings in
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

Allerman, Conrad and Margaret, House Ayres, John, House B'Nai Jacob Synagogue Bridge in Lykens Township No. 1 Bridge in Lykens Township No. 2 Bridge in Reed Township Broad Street Market Cameron, Simon, House and Bank Cameron, Simon, School Camp Curtin Fire Station Camp Curtin Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church Colonial Theatre Dauphin County Bridge No. 27 Dauphin County Courthouse Derry Session House and Enclosure Donaldson, William, House Fort Hunter Historic District GAR Building German Evangelical Zion Lutheran Church Griffith, William R., House Harris Switch Tower, Pennsylvania Railroad Harris, John, Mansion Harrisburg 19th Street Armory Harrisburg Cemetery Harrisburg Central Railroad Station and Trainshed Harrisburg Historic District Harrisburg Military Post Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital Harrisburg Technical High School Henderson, Dr. William, House Henniger Farm Covered Bridge Hershey Community Center Building Hershey, Milton S., Mansion Highspire High School Hotel Lykens Israel Building Keystone Building Keystone Hotel Kunkel Building Legislative Route 1 Sycamore Allee Matlack, Enoch, House McAllister, Archibald, House Midtown Harrisburg Historic District Millersburg Ferry Millersburg Passenger Rail Station Mount Pleasant Historic District Mount Pleasant Historic District (Boundary Increase) Old Downtown Harrisburg Commercial Historic District Old Downtown Harrisburg Commercial Historic District (Boundary Increase) Old Uptown Harrisburg Historic District Penn, William, Memorial Museum and State Archives Building Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 Streamlined Electric Locomotive #4859 Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex (Boundary Revision) Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital Quarries of the Hummelstown Brownstone Company Raymond, Charles and Joseph, Houses Rockville Bridge Romberger-Stover House Salem United Church of Christ Seel, William, Building Sheffield Apartments Smith, Henry, Farm Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge St. Peter's Kierch Star Barn Complex State Capitol Building, Pennsylvania Steelton High School Swatara Ferry House Todd, John, House Walnut Street Bridge Zion Lutheran Church and Graveyard
Pennsylvania was once home to a giant freshwater mussel called the Pennsylvania pigtoe, which is now considered endangered.
Pennsylvania random facts
Dauphin County, located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has a rich and diverse history dating back to its establishment in 1785. The land was originally occupied by several Native American tribes, including the Iroquois Confederacy and the Susquehannock Indians. European settlers began arriving in the late 17th century, with Scots-Irish and German immigrants being the predominant groups.

The county's name, Dauphin, was derived from the title "Dauphin of France," which was given to the oldest son of the French king. The name was chosen to honor the French assistance during the American Revolution. In the early years, Dauphin County was primarily an agricultural area, with farming being the main occupation for its residents. The fertile soil and access to the Susquehanna River made it ideal for farming.

The county played a significant role during the American Civil War, with the state capital, Harrisburg, being an important strategic location. Confederate forces attempted to capture Harrisburg multiple times, with the most notable being the invasion of Pennsylvania in 1863, which culminated in the Battle of Gettysburg. The county also became an important transportation hub during the industrial revolution, with the construction of canals and railroads connecting it to major cities.

Over the years, Dauphin County has witnessed significant growth and development. In the 20th century, there was a shift from agriculture to industrial and service-based industries. The construction of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in the 1970s brought international attention to the county during the infamous accident in 1979. Today, Dauphin County remains a vibrant and diverse community, with a mix of urban areas, suburbs, and rural farmland, offering residents a high quality of life and a rich historical heritage to explore.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

  • 1785 - Dauphin County was officially established on March 4th.
  • 1790 - Harrisburg became the county seat.
  • 1838 - The Pennsylvania Canal opened, connecting Dauphin County to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
  • 1848 - The Pennsylvania Railroad reached Harrisburg, boosting the county's transportation infrastructure.
  • 1863 - The Battle of Gettysburg took place, impacting Dauphin County and the surrounding areas.
  • 1972 - The Three Mile Island accident occurred, causing a partial meltdown at the nuclear power plant in Dauphin County.
  • 2001 - The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts opened in Harrisburg, offering educational and entertainment opportunities.