WHY EAST PETERSBURG BOROUGH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1946
In the late 1940s, East Petersburg had an epidemic of typhoid fever. Two local physicians, Dr. Miller and Dr. Lockey, called for the water to be tested. State health authorities found it was contaminated because the wells were too close to sewage sources. East Petersburg would have to obtain a new water source.
A committee comprised of Virgil Spencer, Melvin Binkley and Harry Ober took charge of the project. In order to establish a municipal water system, East Petersburg incorporated as a Borough on December 20, 1946. The first Borough Mayor was Melvin Binkley, and the first Council President was Virgil Spencer.
East Petersburg Borough turned 80 years old in 2026, but the community’s roots date nearly to the time of the American Revolution. In fact, a farmhouse near the eastern end of the borough was built before the war, and a nearby mill was already producing grain.
More information on the history of East Petersburg Borough: EAST PETERSBURG BOROUGH WALKING TOUR BROCHURE / EastPeteHistory.org