U.S. Route 11

Middlesex Township

The township of Middlesex lies along the northerly half of the west side of the Stony (“Stoney”) Ridge, a geological trap dike (older than the North or South mountains) which formed the original boundary between the west and east divisions of Pennsborough Township (established in 1735) as early a

Shippensburg

The Shippensburg borough lives in two Pennsylvania counties, mostly in Cumberland but also in Franklin. In 1730, twelve Scots-Irish families traveled the Virginia Path Indian trail (now U.S.

South Newton Township

Photo of Big Pond Furnace at South Mountain, PA circa 1915

Newton Township first appeared in Cumberland county tax records in 1773 although it was organized by 1767.[1] In 1929, Newton divided into North Newton and South Newton Townships.[2] The early settlers in the area were Scots-Irish but German families began to move in toward the end of the 18th century.[3] By the time the township had formed, most of the land had been taken up and the area had a settled population.[4]

Southampton Township

Photo of Orrstown Road Bridge taken in 1933

Southampton Township was formed in 1783. It rests at the south-west corner of Cumberland County and is bordered by Franklin and Adams Counties. The southern part of the township nestles against South Mountain and is currently zoned for Woodlands Conservation in order to preserve the forests.

West Pennsboro Township

Conodoguinet Creek, Heishman's Mill, near West Hill.

The recorded history of West Pennsboro Township began in 1735 when it was part of Pennsborough, one of two original townships in the North Valley. This preceded the formation of the county by fifteen years. By 1745, Pennsborough had divided into East and West Pennsboro. In the following years, the township boundaries changed as the population increased and the townships subdivided even more.