Quakertown Boro

Quakertown Boro Municipal Water Report Info

Quakertown, Pennsylvania is a historic community of approximately 9,000 residents situated in the northeastern section of Upper Bucks County, roughly 50 miles north of Philadelphia. Encompassing about two square miles with over 21 miles of roadways, this charming borough has a rich heritage dating to the early 18th century.

Originally known as "Great Swamp" by Society of Friends members, the settlement was located at a strategic crossroads leading to Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, Pottstown, and Newtown. During the American Revolution, the Liberty Bell was temporarily hidden here behind what is now Liberty Hall before being relocated to Allentown for safekeeping.

The community officially became Quakertown in 1801, with its first post office established in 1803. As a junction village featuring an inn, it quickly developed into a popular stopover for stagecoaches and commercial traffic between Allentown and Philadelphia. Despite being the hub for an extensive community of Welsh and German farmers, the village center remained relatively small until the mid-19th century, with only about twelve homes in 1820.

Though Quakertown wasn't formally incorporated as a borough until February 1855, its first Burgess (elected official) was chosen in 1854 when the village contained just sixty-two dwellings. The North Pennsylvania Railroad's arrival in 1855 significantly accelerated local growth, and by 1880, Quakertown's population had reached nearly 1,800 residents.

The combination of railway access and post-Civil War economic prosperity transformed Quakertown from a quiet village into a bustling commercial center. Local industries included manufacturing cigars, boots, shoes, tools, saddles, wheel spokes, and stoves.

Quakertown generated its own electrical power until 1969. After retiring the power plant, the borough maintained control of the distribution network, purchasing power at wholesale rates for resale. Beyond managing the electric system, Quakertown operates its own water and sewer infrastructure.

This tradition of enterprise and industriousness continues in present-day Quakertown. The appealing blend of historical character and modern vitality makes Quakertown an attractive place to both live and work.