York County’s second largest town is
Hanover Borough, located in the southwestern portion of the
county near Adams County to the west and Maryland’s Carroll
County to the south. With a population of over 14,000, Hanover
has its own unique personality. During the Civil
War, The Battle
of Hanover played a vital-but-forgotten role in the outcome at
Gettysburg. Union Generals Kirpatrick and Custer unexpectedly
ran into Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart and his cavalry. The
skirmish that ensued delayed Stuart’s arrival at Gettysburg,
contributing to the Union victory.
Today, Hanover is known for its snack food industry. Utz and
Snyder’s of Hanover are both headquartered here. Arts and
Entertainment can be found at the new Eichelberger Center for
the Performing Arts, and shopping is available at the North
Hanover Mall. Nearby Codorus State Park is home to the 1,275
acre Lake Marburg and one of the largest swimming pools in the
state.
