Historical Sites

Memorial Fountain - Erected in the center of town to honor the Civil War soldiers, the fountain was christened on July 17, 1878 with fifteen thousand people in attendance. The statue of a Union soldier stands next to the fountain facing south to guard against the return of southern raiders. The Memorial Fountain now stands as the symbol of Chambersburg.

Franklin County Courthouse - Colonel Benjamin Chambers, founder of Chambersburg, gave land in 1774 for the construction of a courthouse costing $4100. A new building was erected in 1842, but was burned during the Great Fire of 1864. The current courthouse was reconstructed after the burning of the town. A statue of Benjamin Franklin, for whom the county is named, overlooks the courthouse.

Chambers' Fort - Benjamin Chambers erected this fort to defend his property from Indian attack, choosing the site for the natural waterfall in the Falling Spring Creek, which provided power for his mills. From this fort the first regiment in Pennsylvania marched to join the siege in Boston during the Revolutionary War. The Falling Spring Creek is known worldwide for its trout fishing.

Old Jail - Built in 1818, this jail survived the Great Fire and is the oldest jail in PA. A fine example of Georgian architecture, it was originally used as the sheriff's residence and had the longest continuous use of any jail in the state, operating until 1971. According to local legend, the basement dungeons of the jail were used as a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Today the Old Jail is a museum and home to the Kittochtinny Historical Society of Chambersburg.

Borough Hall (Old Market House) - A building on the square was used as a market by the townspeople until 1831 when the Old Market House was constructed and opened for business. Stall rents and licenses created an income of $1200 in the early years of the market. The borough began putting offices in the building in 1930, reaching full occupancy by 1945. The hall is also home to the mayor and the police department.

Falling Spring Presbyterian Church - Home to the oldest congregation in Chambersburg, this church was established in 1734. Land was given to the congregation by Benjamin Chambers in 1768, with the understanding that a rose presented to a Chambers family member each year was the only rent required. Land was also given to the First Lutheran Church and Zion Reformed Church under the same agreement, and these churches came to be known as the "Rose Rent Churches." Magnificent stained glass windows grace the sanctuary of this church.

First Lutheran Church - Established in 1780, the first building was a two-story log cabin, which was replaced in 1808 with a brick structure. The present church was built in 1854. Philip Berlin, inventor of the railroad sleeper car, and Abraham Schweitzer, famous gunsmith, are buried in the church's graveyard.

Zion Reformed Church - Organized in 1778, this church's first pastor traveled from Hagerstown to preach. A beautiful crystal chandelier built in 1813 graces the building. The church survived the burning of the town and its spire, modeled after a design by Sir Christopher Wren, was used as an observation point.