| Introduction | Historical Background | Chronology | Geography | Biography | Technology | Ownership and Financing | General Bibliography |
| Middle Atlantic States | Pennsylvania | Chambersburg |
Chambersburg was settled in 1730.
The Chambersburg Water Company was incorporated in 1817 with Thomas Hartley Crawford, Philip Berlin, George Brown, James Wright and Jacob Grove appointed as commissioners. This company built a system using wooden pipes, but they soon rotted out and the system was abandoned around 1823.
A second Chambersburg water company was incorporated in 1849 with George A. Madeira, Frederick Smith, William Seibert, Matthias Nead, George Garlin, George S. Eyster, James Nill, Martin Newcomber and William M'Lellan appointed commissioners. No evidence has been found that this company constructed a water system.
The borough of Chambersburg constructed a water system in 1875.
Water is provided by the borough of Chambersburg, which also provides water to the Bear Valley Water Authority.
References
1817 An act authorising the Governor to
incorporate the Chambersburg Water Company, March 24, 1817
1849 An act to incorporate the Chambersburg water company, January 31, 1849
1878 Historical Sketch of Franklin County,
Pennsylvania: Prepared for the Centennial Celebration, Held at
Chambersburg, Pa., July 4, 1876
Page 96: WATER WORKS.
About the year 1818 the first attempt was made to introduce water into our
town. It was taken from the Falling Spring, about a half mile east of the
railroad bridge, being forced thence to the reservoir (which was where the
dwelling of Samuel Myers now is) by the power of the stream acting upon
the buckets of a large water wheel placed in the current. The pipes
extended through Market street to Franklin, a short way on Second street,
and on Main street from King street to German. There were no fire
plugs—nothing but hydrants for family use—and the reservoir being small,
the works were wholly useless in times of fire. The pipes soon rotted out,
and by the year 1823 the whole thing was abandoned. Being very primitive
in all their appointments, these works could not have been very expensive,
although some of our old citizens say that they cost about forty thousand
dollars.
Our present excellent water works are the property of the borough,
constructed through the energy of our Town Council. They ,are said to be
well built, and reflect great credit upon all connected with their
erection. Their total cost is about fifty five thousand dollars.
1882 Chambersburg, from "The Water-Supply of Certain Cities and Towns of the United States," by Walter G. Elliot, C. E., Ph. D.
1883 Chambersburg, from Engineering News, 10:460 (September 29, 1883)
1887 "Water-Works" from History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania
1888 "Chambersburg," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.
1890 "Chambersburg," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.
1891 "Chambersburg," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.
1897 "Chambersburg," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.
© 2015 Morris A. Pierce