Historical Markers in
Franklin County, Pennsylvania

10,000 Soldiers Fight at Monterey Pass A Quest for Honor Abolitionist John Brown Boards in Chambersburg Ambush at Mercersburg Basic Ingredients Battle of Monterey Pass / Michigan Cavalry Brigade Before The Battle Of Gettysburg Birthplace of James Buchanan Black Boys Rebellion Brown's Mill School Buchanan House Burning of Chambersburg Burning Of Chambersburg Caledonia Furnace Caledonia Furnace Captain John E. Cook Captain Ulric Dahlgren Chambersburg Chambersburg Chambersburg Chambersburg Chambersburg Founded A.D. 1764 Chestnut Spring Citizens Seized Col. Murphy's Hotel Colonel John Allison Confederate Conference Conklin Hall Corporal William H. Rihl Cupola – Waynesboro’s Crown Jewel Dr. Henry Harbaugh Dr. Henry Harbaugh Dr. Hugh Mercer Falling Spring Church Finding Your Way First Lutheran Church Fort Chambers Fort Chambers Fort Davis Fort Loudon Fort Marshall Fort McCord Fort Waddell Fort Wadell Founding Family Memorial Statue Franklin County Franklin County World War I Memorial Frederick Douglass and John Brown French & Indian War – Revolutionary War – War of 1812 George H. Wirt Gettysburg Campaign Gettysburg Campaign Gettysburg Campaign Gettysburg Campaign Gettysburg Campaign Gettysburg Campaign Highway Enterprise Israel Benevolent Society Cemetery Jacob Nelson "Nellie" Fox James Buchanan James Buchanan James Buchanan James Buchanan John Brown John Brown Raid John Darby, Lot 14, 1786 John Wallace, Jr. Joseph Armstrong Joseph Winters King Street Church Lane House Making Iron Margaret Cochran Corbin Marshall College Martin Delany Masonic Temple McCullough's Tavern Memorial Fountain and Union Soldier Statue Mercersburg Mercersburg Borough Messersmith's Woods Mexican War – Spanish American War – World War Miner Station Mont Alto Monterey Academy Morrow Tavern Nearby On This Tract of Land Called Mount Vernon Old Brown's Mill School Old Franklin County Jail Old Log Building Old Trolley Line Patrick Gass Pennsylvania Railroad Class N5C Cabin Car Pennsylvania State Forest Academy Philip Berlin President Buchanan’s Home President James Buchanan Quincy Railroad Station Ralph Elwood Brock Reformed Theological Seminary Rev. Steel's Fort Scotland School for Veterans' Children Site of Fort McCord Snow Hill Cloister St. Thomas Commemorates Steiger House at Mercersburg Stony Batter Stuart's Headquarters Stuart's Raid Suesserott House Thaddeus Stevens Blacksmith Shop The 54th Mass. Infantry Regiment, US Colored Troops The Archibald Irwin House The Battle of Monterey Pass The Battle of Monterey Pass The Battle of Monterey Pass The Battle of Monterey Pass The Battle of Monterey Pass The Battle of Monterey Pass The Battle of Monterey Pass The Battle of Monterey Pass The Battle of Monterey Pass The Battle of Monterey Pass The Battle of Mountain Pass The Burning of Chambersburg The First Soldier to Fall The Good Roads Jubilee / The Lincoln Highway The Greatest Sacrifice / Prelude to Gettysburg The John Jack Tavern The Raid On Harpers Ferry The Retreat From Gettysburg The Underground Railroad The Workers Pyramid This Dwight D. Eisenhower Green Ash This Stone Marks the Site of the Fort at McDowell's Mill Thompson's Rifle Battalion: Capt. James Chambers' Company To Irwinton Mills U.S.S. Maine Memorial Underground Railroad Activity in Chambersburg Union Soldiers of Franklin County W-G-M Turnpike War Between the States White Church Replica William Findlay Wilson College World War II – Korean Conflict – Vietnam Conflict Zion Union Cemetery
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, was established in 1855 and is one of the largest universities in the United States.
Franklin County, Pennsylvania, has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 1784. The county is named after Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Prior to European settlement, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Shawnee and the Seneca.

In the 18th century, European settlers began to arrive, mainly of German, Scottish-Irish, and English descent. The county became an important frontier region, playing a role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. Fort Loudoun, constructed in 1756, served as a strategic location during these conflicts.

During the 19th century, Franklin County continued to grow as a significant agricultural and industrial center. The region was known for its fertile farmland and agricultural productivity. The Cumberland Valley Railroad, completed in the mid-1800s, greatly improved transportation and boosted economic development.

The county also played a crucial role during the American Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg, one of the most significant battles of the war, took place in nearby Adams County. Franklin County served as a vital supply center during the conflict, supplying troops and resources to both Union and Confederate forces.

Today, Franklin County is a diverse and thriving community. It boasts a mix of rural charm and modern amenities, with agriculture and manufacturing being important sectors of the economy. The region also offers numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, parks, and historical sites, making it a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

  • January 2, 1784: Franklin County was established in Pennsylvania.
  • 1784 - 1860: Franklin County saw significant growth and development as settlers migrated to the area.
  • 1861 - 1865: Franklin County contributed soldiers to the Union Army during the American Civil War.
  • 1868: The Franklin County Historical Society was founded to preserve and promote the county's history.
  • 1872: The Franklin County Courthouse was completed in Chambersburg.
  • 1936: The historic Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway, was rerouted through Franklin County.
  • 1955: The Chambersburg Heritage Center was opened to showcase the county's history.
  • 1968: The Conococheague Institute was established to preserve the cultural heritage of the region.
  • 1992: The Franklin County Visitors Center was opened to promote tourism in the area.
  • 2002: The Franklin County Old Jail Museum was opened to the public.
  • 2008: The Franklin County 9/11 Memorial was dedicated to honor the victims of the September 11 attacks.