Hanover is now called the Black Rose Community. In the early 1700s, German settlers were attracted to a small valley known as the Pigeon Hills. They were looking for a place that reminded them of home without religious persecution. At the beginning it was known as "Digg's Choice" or "Rogue's Roost".
In 1763 an Irish Inn keeper, Richard McAllister drew up a formal town plan with trade roads to the north and a port in Baltimore to the south. To gain the favor of the Germans, he named the town Hanover after the German town Hannover. It was already a home to thriving industries, several inns and taverns including the one owned by McAllister himself. The Inn still stands to this day and is currently an apartment complex for low income housing and a few small businesses on the first level.

The name Hanover and its heritage was the foundation for the community logo. The Black Rose was an 18th. century insignia worn by members of the House of Hannover and their servants to denote royal lineage and/or royal affiliation.

Hanover is also the home of the first battle that was fought on Pennsylvania soil. The Battle of Hanover lasted only one day and was small by Civil War standards, yet it played an important part in the Gettysburg campaign. As the story goes, as a result of the fighting here, Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart had almost 9,000 Union Troops between him and Gettysburg.

Hanover today is a healthy mix of manufacturing, processing, trade, and agriculture. It is also growing rapidly. Statistics from the Chamber of Commerce show that it is growing at a rate of 32% a year and will continue to do so until 2020. Hanover is the fifth largest retail area in Pennsylvania and the eighth largest manufacturing region. It is considered the "snack food capital of the world," home to nearly one dozen brands! There are no better chips or pretzels around! I do have my favorites. Utz Kettle Cooked Chips and Weges Hard Pretzels....yummy!

We are also the home of the "Famous Hot Weiner". Yes, our hot dogs can not be beat. You will find this luscious hot dog right down town on the square in a location it has been "forever". This grilled dog is placed on a bun and topped with mustard, a "secret" chili recipe, and onions. Our family calls them "gut busters". You just can't eat one! People have been known to load up a cooler just to take some "home". They now sell the sauce by the quart, but, it just isn't the same. They do something special to those onions that just make them yummy and eating them in the quaint restaurant is the best. A "gut buster" with "well done" crispy fries and of course a milk shake so thick you can barely get it through the straw. Now that is "some kind of good eatin" as my dad would say!

If you are a horse lover, you will find some of the finest thoroughbred racers around at the Hanover Shoe Farm. Some of these studs bring a hefty breeding price. The farm is open to the public and the Spring foaling season is a special time to visit. This is a great place to take the children and those "young at heart". I always wanted a horse when I was a child......my parents bought me a rat terrier instead.......just wasn't the same! I am a regular visitor till this day and last year my husband and I had the opportunity to see a filly and colt delivered within minutes of each other.

The last Saturday in July you will find that the main streets are closed for the Annual Dutch Festival. You will find crafts, entertainment, dutch cookin in one of the local churches including a dutch spoken sermon. It is a day you want to rise early to beat the heat and search for your special crafts. That is one day you can't worry about "calories" when you enjoy all the food stands. It is a "fat" free diet....all the fat you want for FREE!

Codorus State Park is also a local favorite. The park has over 2000 acres to fish, swim in the 700,000 gallon pool, picnic, sail, or go boating in a lovely man-made lake. On a Sunday evening you can enjoy the sounds of the local Lyric Band who play old time favorites for those who wish to allow the evening to slip away. Curl up on a blanket....the night is young.

New Oxford is located about 7 miles away and features a round-a-bout circle instead of stop lights. It is consider Dutch country because of its rich soil. Adams County is first in apple, peach, and cherry production in Pennsylvania. Several million fruit trees dot the hillsides to the northwest. New Oxford proper retains its 18th/19th century stately Victorian and Colonial mansions. These stately structures house some of the most popular antique shops and Bed & Breakfast Inns for this area. Public auctions and private sales often turn up prized finds and long-hidden treasures. The South Mountain Apple Festival draws folks from all over and is held on 2 weekends in September.

The 3rd. Saturday in June New Oxford serves as the location for the Annual Antique Market and Craft Show. All the main streets are closed to allow more than 30,000 curious tourists and shoppers to the area. There are usually over 250 vendors for this event and is considered one of the largest on the east coast.

Littlestown, located in the extreme southwestern portion of Digges' tract was part of the Conewago Settlement. It is probably the oldest town in what is now Adams County, having been laid out in 1765 by Peter Klein or (Little), 15 years before James Gettys laid out Gettysburg and one year after Richard McAllister founded Hanover. For at least 50 years the village was known as "Kleina Stedtle" (in English "Little's Town") At its beginning, it had 48 lots each 66x264 and sold for 3 pounds plus $1.00 ground rent. The oldest house is located at 316 E King Street, although there is no written record to that affect.

The first school in Adams County was located near Littlestown. The first electric light plant went into service in 1897.

Gettysburg serves as the Adams County seat and is located in South Central Pennsylvania on the famous Mason-Dixon line, the historic border drawn by the Civil War during the Battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg serves as a tourist area to over 2 million people a year to visit the largest battlefield shrine in America with over 1,000 monuments and cannon and over 40 miles of scenic avenues. There are many ways to visit this area. Tours are provided by buses or you can take an audio tour in the luxury of your own vehicle. Some even travel by horseback. While in Gettysburg, you can visit the museum, take a ghost tour, or walk through the national cemetery, which is also the home of some of the most unusual trees. The ghost tour is a real treat, especially around Halloween. Stay in a hotel, a quaint bed & breakfast, or camp at a camp site. There are restaurants everywhere. The most famous being the Dobbin House and the Farnsworth House which provide more of the fine dining and historic dining. The Dobbin House features an underground pub that is really special. There is one drink that you are only allowed to be served 2....... very powerful stuff! You can take home a reminder of your visit by visiting the many shops along the way. Plan on spending a few days in order to enjoy all there is to see in this community.

This is just a sampling of the communities located near me. I am a Hanover local. Having lived here my entire life I think it is a special place to live. We have loads of parks, shopping, and golfing. Speeding is not acceptable in our area, the policmen do a great job with our "crime control". We are centrally located to some of the larger towns of York, Harrisburg, Baltimore and coastal shoreline areas.

Some statistics were taken from information provided by the Chamber of Commerce and the Evening Sun but the opinions and experiences are all my own. Come visit.....you WILL be tempted enough to stay and you will be glad you did!