Hatfield, Pennsylvania, is in northern Montgomery County on the southeastern corner of the state. The township has a rich history that dates back to the 1700s.
Early Settlers
Native Americans from the Lenni Lenape tribe were first drawn to Hatfield because of the area’s fertile lands. In the early 1700s, European settlers made their way to the town via the area’s first road, which connected the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia. The Lenni Lanape’s last encampment was abandoned in 1777 when the tribe decided to head west.
Becoming a Township
On March 9, 1730, Hatfield Township was designated as a legal place by the Court of Quarter Sessions of Philadelphia County. The origination of the town’s name is up for debate. According to folklore, it was named after John Hatfield, a Welsh immigrant; however, some dispute that it’s actually named after a village in Hertfordshire, England.
Business
One of the first reputable businesses was the Hatfield Township Packing Company, which opened in 1885. Rosebnerger’s Dairy opened 40 years later in 1925. A cider mill on North Broad Street was built in 1953, and the tasty apple drink is still available there today.
Population
More than 500 people lived in the township by the end of the 1700s. The population consisted of Quakers, Welsh farmers, and Mennonites. When the railroad was constructed in the mid-19th century, the township boomed since settlers could arrive and farmers could take their products to the city more easily. Today, the 2010 census showed a population of 3,290.
Next time you’re in Hatfield, look around and think of the history. You’ll certainly have a better appreciation for this quaint township.
Image via Flickr by Montgomery County Planning Commission
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