In the year 2025, the picturesque town of Mercersburg will proudly celebrate its 275th anniversary. The accompanying photographs illustrate the town center as it appeared 275 years ago in contrast to its current appearance. Named in tribute to Hugh Mercer, a courageous general renowned for his heroic contributions during the American Revolutionary War, the history of the town is rich with valor and legacy.
Hugh Mercer
Hugh Mercer was an early Scots-Irish settler on the Pennsylvania frontier, choosing to establish his residence in the Conococheague Settlement, a region of early European settlement in south-central Pennsylvania. Having been a member of the defeated Jacobite forces in Scotland, he sought refuge in America in 1747. Mercer became the first formally trained physician in the Conococheague Settlement. He maintained a close friendship and professional association with George Washington and ultimately participated in the Revolutionary War, where he perished at the Battle of Princeton.
Location
Mercersburg is located in southwestern Franklin County and has a total area of 0.89 square miles (2.3 km2), all land. Mercersburg is located at the eastern foot of Cove Mountain on the west side of the Great Appalachian Valley. The borough is 7.5 miles (12.1 km) north of the Mason–Dixon line, which serves as the state border with Maryland. Whitetail Ski Resort and golf course are located 7 miles (11 km) south of the town.
James Buchanan
James Buchanan Jr. was born on April 23, 1791, into a Scotch-Irish family in a log cabin near Cove Gap in the Allegheny Mountains of southern Pennsylvania. Soon after his birth, the family moved to a farm near Mercersburg, PA, and eventually settled in the town in 1794. His father became the wealthiest local resident, working as a merchant, farmer, and real estate investor. While Buchanan credited his mother for his early education, his father had a stronger influence on his character. His mother, interested in politics and poetry, often discussed political matters with him and quoted authors like John Milton and William Shakespeare. Buchanan later attended the Old Stone Academy in Mercersburg and Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA.
Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park
Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park features a massive pyramid commemorating the birthplace of James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States. Situated near Cove Gap in Franklin County, this 18-acre park includes two picnic pavilions and several picnic tables. However, its standout attraction is the 31-foot-tall pyramid marking the site of Buchanan’s childhood cabin.
Exploring Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park in Franklin County
Cowans Gap State Park
Cowans Gap State Park is a 1,085-acre park in the beautiful Allens Valley of Fulton County. A 42-acre lake, two campgrounds, rustic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) cabins, and many trails are prime attractions. State forest land surrounds the park, offering additional options for recreation and natural beauty throughout the year.
