Christiana
The borough is in the valley
of Pine Creek which forms the
Lancaster County/Chester County line, and flows south to form Octoraro Creek,
a south-flowing tributary of the Susquehanna River.
A brief history of Christiana....
The area was originally known as McClarronville (after Hugh McClarron who had a grain and produce business).
1834
William Noble constructed a foundry. At some point the area became known as Nobleville.
1834
Pennsylvania & Columbia railroad (P&CR) was built with a stop in Christiana. Industries in the area flourished because of the railroad.
1844
Foundry operations were suspended.
1846
Samuel L. Denney purchased foundry and opened the machine shop.
1847
Village was named Christiana after Noble's first wife.
1851
The first battle of the Civil War occurred...the Christiana Resistance.
1862
Machine shop purchased by Isaac Broomell.
1868
Broomell contracted Nathan F. Burnham, who was a machinist and inventor from York, Pa., to manufacture the water turbine that Burnham invented.
1878
Broomell and Burnham partnered and the machine shop changed it's name to Christiana Machine Co. Christiana soon began manufacturing steam engines, flour mills, saw mills, and boring and turning mills.
1880s
Christiana had one of the most active business communities that included four general stores, one hardware store, one grocery, three hat makers, two drug stores, two pharmacies, two restaurants, a bakery and three shoe shops. There was also one tailor, one barber, two tin shops, two blacksmiths, an agriculture implement warehouse, three livery stables and a coal and lumber yard.
1883
Andrew Jackson Melcher (dubbed the Ben Franklin of Lancaster County) moved to Christiana to start the Christiana Ledger.
He founded the Christiana Telephone Co. and the Christiana Steam Heat Co., which utilized excess steam from his printing press to heat neighboring homes.
Andrew has a plaque outside of his home on Harrison Ave. commemorating his accomplishments.
1915
Machine shop became a subsidiary of the Charles Bond Co.
1967
LaVerne D. Bud Rettew began working for the borough. He was the 'historian' of Christiana and spent 20+ years as borough manager. He also wrote a book about the Christiana Resistance. Bud left us May 2014. The municipal building is named for him.
Download a more detailed history of Christiana
What happened to the second floor of the library?
Become a member of the Historical Society and find out.