How did these Pennsylvania Counties get their names?
(WHTM) — Pennsylvania's counties that populate the Susquehanna Valley are home to some of the state's richest history, with some predating the United States entirely.
So, how long have these Midstate counties been around, and how did they get their names?
Adams County, home to one of the American Civil War's most important battlegrounds in Gettysburg, was created from part of York County in 1800. According to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission , the county was named after John Adams, the second president of the United States, and the current president at that time.
It's not to say Pennsylvania lacks creativity, but this won't be the only county on this list named after an American historical figure.
First acquired from Native Americans in 1736, Cumberland County was considered a part of Lancaster County. It wasn't until 1750 that Cumberland County was officially created, according to Cumberland County . The County added that it was named after Cumberland, England, with its first settlers originating from that region.
How did these Pennsylvania cities get their names?
Dauphin County, home of the Pennsylvania State Capitol, was once a part of Lancaster County until 1785. Dauphin County was named after the Dauphin, a title given to the eldest son of the King of France, for Frances's contribution to the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War, according to The Origin of certain place names in the United States.
Franklin County, once part of Lancaster County in 1729, then York County in 1749, and Cumberland County in 1750, officially became Franklin County in 1784, according to Franklin County . It was named after the Founding Father and face of the $100 bill, Benjamin Franklin.
Fulton County, the youngest county on this list, separated from Bedford County in 1850. Fulton County's separation from Bedford was unique in that a state senator who initially opposed the separation eventually agreed, but only if he got to pick its name. Fulton County was initially going to be named Liberty County, but the Senator proposed that it be named Fulton after the steamboat inventor and Pennsylvania native Robert Fulton, according to Fulton County .
Juniata County, named after the Juniata River that flows through it, was separated from Mifflin County in 1831. According to Juniata County , an average of only 57 people populate every square mile of the county.
Lancaster County, known today for its art scene and farmers' markets, officially became a county in 1729 following its separation from Chester County, according to the Pennsylvania State Archives . Originally, Lancaster County covered a large section of the Susquehanna Valley area before other counties were established. Like Cumberland County, Lancaster County was named after the City of Lancaster in England.
Lebanon County was created from parts of Dauphin and Lancaster County in 1813, with minor boundary revisions occurring in 1814 and 1821, according to the Lebanon County Historical Society . Lebanon County got its name from Old Lebanon Township. The county says Germans initially settled there, and over 42% of residents today still claim German descent.
Established in 1789 from parts of Northumberland and Cumberland County, Mifflin County was named after Pennsylvania's first Governor, Thomas Mifflin. Mifflin County is also home to Amish and Mennonite communities that still speak Pennsylvania Dutch.
Perry County broke off from Cumberland County, becoming its own in 1820. Perry County is most well known for its exceptional nature and hunting areas. According to Perry County , it was named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the American Hero of the naval engagement with the British on Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
York County gained official recognition as a county in 1749 when it separated from Lancaster County. As for how York County got its name? It's complicated. The exact origin of the name is unclear, but it is either named after the Duke of York, a patron of the Penn family, or for the City of York in England, according to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
The City of York in York County held the second Continental Congress in 1777, sparking a debate among historians about whether York was the first Capitol of the United States.
