PENNSYLVANIA - In the heart of south-central Pennsylvania, nestled in the scenic Tuscarora Mountains, lies the answer to a classic Keystone State trivia question: McConnellsburg. This charming borough in Fulton County holds the distinction of having the longest single-word, unhyphenated name of any incorporated municipality in the state of Pennsylvania.
The story of McConnellsburg's name is a journey through colonial history, family legacy, and a near-miss with a much shorter moniker.
- The Founding: The town was founded in 1786 by Daniel McConnell. He laid out the town lots and initially named the settlement "McConnell's Town."
- A Brush with Brevity: As the story goes, McConnell later traveled to Philadelphia to have the town's charter officially recorded. He reportedly had a change of heart and decided to register the city under the simpler name of "Clinton," in honor of a Revolutionary War general.
- A Scribe's Decision: However, the clerk or justice recording the charter was a friend of McConnell's and, believing the founder deserved to have his legacy cemented, registered it under the original family name, spelling it out in its full, impressive form: McConnellsburg.
Today, McConnellsburg serves as the county seat of Fulton County. It's a small, historic community surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including the nearby Buchanan State Forest. While many travelers pass through on their way along historic routes like the Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30), few may realize they are visiting the town with the longest name in all of Pennsylvania—a name that, thanks to a loyal friend, honors its founding family for centuries to come.
Sources:
- Fulton County Historical Society
- Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC)
- Historical records and municipal histories of McConnellsburg and Fulton County
- Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs
- Local news archives and publications
