Spring Grove

History

The site of Spring Grove was laid out in 1747 on the banks of Codorus Creek, midway between York and Hanover, by a surveyor for the Penns. Its growth since that time falls into two periods, each lasting approximately 100 years. The first witnessed development of the borough as an iron-making center. The second, which extends to the present day, is as a papermaking center. The businesses of both periods have relied on certain natural resources of the area. Originally, Spring Grove was a part of Paradise Township and was contained within the boundaries of Lancaster County. York County was formed in 1749 and Jackson Township, including Spring Grove, in 1853. The residents of the community petitioned the County Court in 1882 for incorporation as a borough, and in August of that year their petition was granted. Since that time, the borough has grown in area as a result of annexation of the surrounding land, the largest annexation having taken place in 1953. In the 1770s, attracted by the presence of water, iron ore and wood for charcoal in the Pigeon Hills, an iron manufacturer established a forge at "Spring Forge". It is known as Spring Grove. The early German and English woodchoppers who flocked to this first Pennsylvania iron industry west of the Susquehanna River were the forebears of today's community. By the mid-19th century, the manufacturing of iron had grown to a point where almost of iron bar were produced locally each year. By 1851, however, the iron business had been suspended, and its buildings were converted to the manufacturing of paper. Once again local resources, wood and water, were largely responsible for the location of this industry in the Spring Grove area. Thirteen years later, the plant was purchased by P. H. Glatfelter for $14,000. Other basic…

Geography

Spring Grove is located at (39.876827, -76.865536). According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , all land.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  13,377
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  10,098
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  9,678
• Carolina Wren

  Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  9,078
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  8,851
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  8,246
• Carolina Chickadee

  Poecile carolinensis (Audubon, 1834) · Aves
  7,837
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  7,456

Largest nearby schools

• William Penn SHS
  High · York · 1,534 students · 16:1 ratio
• Dallastown Area Intermediate Sch
  Middle · York · 1,484 students · 15.8:1 ratio
• South Western SHS
  High · Hanover · 1,299 students · 15.3:1 ratio
• Spring Grove Area HS
  High · Spring Grove · 1,166 students · 14.9:1 ratio
• Emory H Markle MS
  Middle · Hanover · 1,028 students · 14.7:1 ratio
• Dover Area HS
  High · Dover · 1,016 students · 16.1:1 ratio
• York Academy Regional CS
  Other · York · 963 students · 16.9:1 ratio
• West York Area HS
  High · York · 869 students · 15:1 ratio

Most recent

• M 2.5 — 2025-10-27
  4 km E of Riverside, Maryland
• M 2.6 — 2021-06-25
  2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland
• M 2.81 — 2019-09-15
  5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania
• M 3.44 — 2019-06-13
  9 km N of Blain, Pennsylvania
• M 3.6 — 2010-07-16
  5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland
• M 3.05 — 2010-06-03
  4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania