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Township History

Shrewsbury Township, which was originally formed in 1739, was among
the first municipalities to be established west of the Susquehanna River. The first settlers in the area were mostly English and Scottish-Irish; other portions of the area were settled under Maryland land titles.

When the township was established, the majority of the citizens were
English as reflected by the English name of Shrewsbury. The Germans
began to locate in the township shortly after its formation, and many of the former English settlers sold their lands. Conflicting feelings arose between the border settlers in Pennsylvania and Maryland as a result of the aforementioned land titles, and the dispute was not resolved until 1767 through the establishment of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Location: Shrewsbury Township comprises a total of 74.82 sq. road miles.

The boroughs of Shrewsbury, Railroad, New Freedom and Glen Rock
are incorporated within, but have their own governments.

Villages and Developments: Centers of living but deriving government
from the township are Seitzland, Centerville, Hametown, Bon Air,
Southern Farms, Fielding Manor, Forest Lakes, Heritage Farms, Hilltop,
Keeney, Oakwood, and Strawberry Fields.

Population: The 1990 Census showed the
population of Shrewsbury Township to be 5,898.

Did you know that there were once 13 school houses operating in Shrewsbury Township? According to John O'Keefe, the one on Rockville Road burned down. Joseph Boose says the foundation for the
first schoolhouse still exists in Hametown. The others remain standing and have been converted to other uses, mostly residential.
I have hunted them down and show them here.

If anyone has pictures of them when they were used as schools, please loan them to me for inclusion on this page.

Joseph Boose has written an excellent paper entitled History in Review.
Click here to read excerpts and click here to contact Mr. Boose.


Select another school for a bigger view!
Move your mouse over each thumbnail for a description.
Keeney's School on Windy Hill Road.  Gerbrick School on Gerbrick School Road.  Seitzland School at the foot of Seitzland School Rd.  The Fissels Church School on Fissels Church Road.

Hametown School, Hametown, on the Susquehanna Trail.  Krantz School on Kratz Road.  Bowser School on Bowser School Road  Barren Hill School on Stewartstown Road.

Ruhls School on the Trail just south of Windy Hill Road.  The King School near the corner of Valley and West Clearview.  The Seitz School in

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Disclaimer: The information provided herein is for convenience and informational purposes only. Shrewsbury Township assumes no responsibility for errors and omissions nor any liability for damage resulting from the use of information contained herein. Users are cautioned to consult the official records of the township for any changes, amendments or updates to any information provided herein.