Dauphin County

Dauphin County is an administrative district in Pennsylvania that covers roughly 558 square miles (about 1445 square kilometers) of land and water, with the Susquehanna River forming its western boundary. The district sits in the south-central region of Pennsylvania and includes both rural areas and urban centers along the river corridor.

The district was established in 1785 and named after Louis Joseph, the first son of French King Louis XVI who was heir to the throne. The choice reflected the diplomatic ties between France and the young United States during the revolutionary era.

The Lykens Valley is home to eight church districts of Amish families who relocated from Lancaster County in search of new farmland. These settlers maintain traditional ways of living that visitors notice along the rural roads through their horse-drawn buggies and plain farmsteads.

Harrisburg, the seat of government, is reachable via several major highways and offers bus lines and rail connections for regional travel. Visitors find different services and lodging options in the various communities, with infrastructure ranging from urban to rural depending on location.

The Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station sits within the district boundaries and became known worldwide following a 1979 incident before closing in 2019. The cooling towers are visible from the shores of the Susquehanna and mark one of the most defining moments in nuclear energy history.

Location: Pennsylvania

Inception: March 4, 1785

Capital city: Harrisburg

Shares border with: Northumberland County, Schuylkill County, Lebanon County, Lancaster County, York County, Cumberland County, Perry County, Juniata County

Website: http://dauphincounty.org

GPS coordinates: 40.41000,-76.79000

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:45