[4] It is in a rich agricultural region known as the Cumberland Valley, a broad zone between South Mountain and the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians.

Interstate 76, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, passes just south of Mechanicsburg, with access to the southeast of town via Exit 236 (U.S. Route 15).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.41 square miles (6.25 km2), of which 1.1 acres (4,478 m2), or 0.07%, is water.

[3] It has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and monthly average temperatures range from 29.9 °F (−1.2 °C) in January to 74.8 °F (23.8 °C) in July.

Mechanicsburg was named after a settlement of mechanics who made and repaired Conestoga wagons in the early 19th century.

Grain and feed companies, lumber yards and numerous factories were purposely built alongside the railroad tracks.

], there were twenty-five trains chugging through the town daily carrying travelers, coal, feathers, fruit, ice, mail and newspapers.

Although automotive technology changed the town forever, today's residents cannot dismiss the vital role the railroad played in its development.

[10] Another part of Mechanicsburg's growth occurred when the Naval Support Activity was built on 840 acres (340 ha) of land in Hampden Township, Pennsylvania.

Present-day Mechanicsburg is centered on 100 acres (40 ha) that Leonard Fisher purchased from Joseph Heynes' tract (No.

Gen. Albert G. Jenkins raided Mechanicsburg, and two days later, met with Union forces in the Skirmish of Sporting Hill, just east of town.

One of Mechanicsburg's first residents was George Frankeberger, who in 1801 applied for a license to open his newly built log home for the "convenience" of travelers.

In exchange for a small fee, Mr. Frankeberger offered cattle drivers a warm meal and a place to sleep.

[10] The Mechanicsburg Commercial Historic District, Irving Female College, Cumberland Valley Railroad Station and Station Master's House, Adam Orris House, and Simpson Street School are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.