About

Penn Township is a rural community that has evolved into both a residential community and the home of several major industries in southwestern York County. The Township has over the years enjoyed a steady increase in population. The current population of the Township is estimated to be 14,592 persons.Penn Township covers 13.2 square miles in area and is located in southwestern York County. It surrounds the Borough of Hanover on the north, east and south and borders Adams County to the west. The Township is 18 miles southwest of York, Pennsylvania and 42 miles north of Baltimore, Maryland. Much of the area of Penn Township was originally included in what was known as "Digges Choice". In 1727, approximately 7,000 acres of land was given in a grant to John Digges by Lord Baltimore. A dispute was raised on whether the land was in Maryland or Pennsylvania. This dispute was settled by the King of England and resulted in the formation of the Mason-Dixon Line in 1768.Penn Township was originally part of Heidelberg and Manheim Townships. In 1880 Penn Township was designated as a separate municipality by action of the York County Court. The first settlers in the area were mainly Scotch and German. These settlers took advantage of the rich farmland soil in the area and became farmers.The first roads in the area were small trade routes which followed Indian trails.

The Hanover area and the area now known as Penn Township was the site of a Civil War battle prior to the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863. This cavalry clash was known as the Battle of Hanover and occurred on June 30, 1863. The Battle was important because it delayed General Jeb Stuart from reinforcing the Confederates at the Battle of Gettysburg. Under Stuart's command were General Fitzhugh Lee (Robert E. Lee's nephew), and General Wade Hampton of South Carolina. The Confederates occupied the southeastern portion of the Township, roughly from the Baltimore Turnpike (Route 94) to the Littlestown Turnpike (Route 194). The Union cavalry was commanded by General Judson Kilpatrick. Under his command were General George A. Custer, who led a brigade composed entirely of troops from Michigan. The union occupied the northeastern portion of Penn Township, from Midway northeast to the Pigeon Hills. The Battle of Hanover began near Pennville and the area of the heaviest fighting occurred along the Littlestown Turnpike (route 194). Although the losses were not great on either side, the Battle took its toll on the stamina of the Confederate troops who had been marching for days with little food or sleep. By the evening of June 30th, the Battle was considered a stand-off and General Stuart marched toward Dover, PA, desperately seeking General Robert E. Lee, while Kilpatrick received word from General Meade to join the Union at Gettysburg. Thus, the Battle of Hanover ended with neither side claiming victory. The area now known as Penn Township continued to grow after the Civil War and in 1880 had a population of 1,962 resident. in 1880, Penn Township was incorporated as a separate municipality from parts of Heidelberg and Manheim Townships. While the Township was still primarily rural it was becoming more and more a suburb to the Borough of Hanover.