Marietta Borough - Where Yesterday Meets Today

Twenty-six miles west of downtown Lancaster and approximately a 40-minute drive from Harrisburg, sits
historic Marietta Borough.

Formed by merging two adjacent towns, (Waterford and New Haven), the borough was formally incorporated in
1812. “Marietta” is believed to be an amalgamation of the first names of Mary Cook and Etta Anderson, wives of the town's original founders.

“The borough is remarkable for its large inventory of homes on the National Register of Historic Places, most
of which date back to the 19th century. There are 430 properties on this National Register, and their proximity
creates streetscapes that capture the look and feeling of nineteenth century life. The borough has always been associated with various aspects of life on the Susquehanna River, from its being a hub for raft traffic down the river, to its many factories in the 19th Century along the river, to the famous ferries that brought out- of-state visitors to York and beyond.”1

In keeping with the heritage of the borough, there is a heritage preservation intact, stating guidelines for adapting
re-use, renovations and restoration, streetscapes and architectural style.

Lying on an s-bend in the wide and powerful Susquehanna River, the borough also abuts Chickies Rock, a
geological marvel. This massive 200-ft. high quartzite rock is a popular climbing spot, along with trails such as
the 1 mile round trip Overlook Trail.

Scientists believe this sheer rock face was uplifted from the river bottom from the shifting of the Earth’s tectonic
plates thousands of miles away.

For a day of adventure of rock climbing, bird watching, enjoying a walk through the borough, seeing some
historical architecture or dining in one of the restaurants, it is sure to be a great day visiting Marietta Borough in
Pennsylvania.

1 boroughormarietta.com, viewed Apr. 27, 2026.