[1] The community of Hanover, Pennsylvania had its beginnings in a grant of 10,000 acres (40 km2) of land by Charles Calvert, the fourth Lord Baltimore to the Irish nobleman and Maryland resident John Digges in 1727.

The town's name was reportedly suggested by Hannover, Germany native Michael Tanner, a commissioner who had helped plan York County's configuration in 1749.

[6] While en route between his home in Monticello, Virginia to Philadelphia to participate in the first session of the Continental Congress where he would, in short order, draft the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson stopped on April 12, 1776 in Hanover, where he spent the evening at the Sign of the Horse inn on Frederick Street which was owned by Caspar Reinecker.

[7] This community also played a role in the War of 1812, enrolling two infantry companies which helped halt the advance of British troops on Baltimore in 1814 during and after the Battle of North Point.

On June 30, 1863, Hanover became the site of the final encounter between the Union and Confederate States armies before they fought against each other in July's three-day Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.