The Early Settlers of Linglestown

Pioneer Scot-Irish families, banished from their homeland in Scotland in 1718 because of religious differences immigrated to America.

After landing in NY they met up with Conrad Weiser, an Indian Agent in New York state. He led a large group of Scot, Irish and English families down the Susquehanna to a spot near Middletown . The Germans soon followed. Many recognized the beauty and potential for farming in the rich soil, plenty of forest with wood for building and fires. They decided to settle here. 

Conrad Weiser moved northeast and settled near Reading. 

Because of its founding in 1765, Linglestown is the third oldest town in Dauphin County, next to Middletown (1755) and Hummelstown (1762).

From St. Thomas to Linglestown

Having arrived from Berks County, PA in 1765, Thomas Lingle decided to establish a new town.  After purchasing the land and laying out the town, he named it “The Town of St. Thomas.” Because it was Mr. Lingle who founded the town, many people began calling it “Lingle’s town.”  After he died in1811 the former name of the town was dropped and the name was unofficially changed to Linglestown. 

This is a copy of Thomas Lingle's original layout.  There were originally 80 plots, 6 more have been added.

Businesses prospered in Linglestown during the second half of the 19th century and many of the buildings that housed them still stand today.