History
The Township of Derry was incorporated August 1, 1729, when Lancaster County divided the territory for tax purposes. At that time, the boundaries of Derry Township were much larger and included what are currently three other townships within Lancaster and Dauphin County. The western portion became Derry Township and the eastern portion became Londonderry Township. The first official government in Derry Township was established in 1759. Five officials were elected for one-year terms. The number of elected officials in Derry remains five, however the terms are six years.
Derry became a part of Dauphin County when it was established in 1785. In 1787, the population of Derry Township was 198. The most recent census records the population as 21,273.
1700s
Scott-Irish, Germans, and Swiss-Germans migrated to Derry Township for religious freedom. The Township was primarily a rural farming community. The Derry Presbyterians built a log church and the small community around it became known as Derry Church.
1800s
The Horseshoe and Reading turnpikes connecting Derry Township to the rest of Pennsylvania were constructed, better known today as S.R. 322 and S.R. 422. The Union Canal was completed in 1827 bringing together the Schuylkill and Susquehanna rivers. Items such as flour, food, livestock, coal and lumber were shipped on the canal. The Lebanon Valley Railroad came to Derry Township in 1858. The rails serviced the local quarries, flour and saw mills, distilleries, tanneries, and lime kilns. In 1860 the local population was 2,300.
Public education began in Derry Township with the Pennsylvania Free School Act of 1934. The Township's first school was the Derry Church One-room School, built in 1844 and located on Mansion Road. Over the next few decades, twelve more one-room schools were constructed in the Township.
Hungarian and Italian immigrants, plus migrant African-Americans from Virginia came to Derry Township for economic opportunities, finding employment in the local quarries. Limestone and brownstone were shipped for building material. While most of them were transient workers, many Italian stonecutters brought their families and settled in the area.
1900s
Milton S. Hershey returned to his birthplace to build a new factory for the Hershey Chocolate Company in 1903. The Hershey Volunteer Fire Company was organized two years later. The area boomed with construction for the next 15 years with the development of a model industrial town. New structures included sites such as the Cocoa House (1905), Hersheypark (1907), Hershey Laundry (1908), Ballroom (1909), Hershey Department Store (1910), Hershey Park Pool (1912), Hershey Trust Company (1914), the M.S. Hershey Consolidated School (1914), and the Press Building (1916). Hershey Industrial School for disadvantaged orphaned boys was established 1909, today known as Milton Hershey School.
During the Great Depression of the 1930s the Community Building, Hotel Hershey, Milton Hershey School Senior Hall, Hershey Sports Arena, Hershey Chocolate Corporation Windowless Office Building, and the Stadium were built.
20th Century
The Township of Derry, Hershey, remains a community with a small-town feel, with residents that place a high priority on family. The area offers a School District that excels academically, a full-service accredited police department, a state-of-the-art library, a recreation center with two swimming pools, a fitness center, and eight public parks. Hershey is conveniently located within 100 miles of diverse cultural activities in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, and New York.
TOWNSHIP OF DERRY
| Population |
21,273 |
| Square Miles |
28 |
| Mayor |
n/a |
| Congressional District |
17th |
| State House District |
106th |
| State Senatorial District |
15th |
| Type of Government |
2nd Class Township |
| School District |
Derry Township
717-534-2501 |
| Range of Housing Costs |
Varies |
| Property Tax Rate |
26.55 mills School District and Township55 Millage |
| Cable |
Comcast 717-533-4433 |
| Gas/Electric |
UGI/PA Power & Light
717-270-2545/
800-342-5775 |
| Water |
PA American Water Company 800-717-7292 |
| Waste Removal |
Waste Management of Central PA 800-642-8850 | |
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Hershey, Pennsylvania, known best for being the location for world
famous Hershey's Milk Chocolate, is the host to over four million visitors a year. The Kiss-light-lined streets, sweet aroma of chocolate and small town charm, create a wonderful setting to visit or reside. This beautiful community of Derry has much to offer. Derry is able to meet your educational and enrichment needs with its state-of-the-art library, and recreational and leisure needs with a recreation facility with two swimming pools, seven public parks and
a bicycle/pedestrian trail. Derry Township has its own nationally accredited police department that is focused on community policing, and a public works department to service the Township's 28 square miles.
Derry Township is conveniently located near I-81, I-83, and the PA
Turnpike, which provides ample employment and higher education
opportunities, and options for entertainment within the surrounding areas.
The Derry Township school system has an outstanding academic record and has been recognized for student achievement.
Derry Township is also the home of Hershey Park, Hershey Foods
Corporation, The Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey
Gardens, Hershey Museum and the Hershey Theatre. |
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