John Pomeroy and James Wilson were the first settlers in the area in 1762, while the Greater Derry Area began to be settled in 1769, as the country embraced its manifest destiny and confronted the wild frontier. First came New Derry, laid out by the Guthries in 1815, then Derry Station in 1852, and then finally, Derry Borough.
As with much of the country at that time, agriculture was the primary industry in Derry until the advent of the burgeoning Railroad System in the early 1850's. The railroad brought life to small towns across Pennsylvania and in 1881, Derry Borough incorporated and began serving as a popular hub in the transportation of goods, services, ideas and culture from New York, through Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and eventually across the nation.
Today, Derry continues to see trains on a daily basis, but as times have changed, so has this small town. The smoke filled skies of the bustling railroad days have cleared, and provided new horizons for expansion and development. Derry Area serves as a community based neighborhood with an eye on its most valuable resource, the young men and women, and children of Derry. With an outstanding educational system, community center and recently reconstructed community pool at a cost of one-half million dollars, the future of Derry rests with the great potential found in its youth.
As Derry Borough celebrates its 125th Anniversary, it becomes clear that the good nature and lasting commitment of the members of this community will serve to make Derry, PA not just a stop on an old railroad, but a destination where a pleasant blend of old customs and traditions in a contemporary modern setting can be found.
114 East Second Avenue
Derry, PA 15627
(724) 694-2030
FAX (724) 694-9252