Due to its location in a rural area, it had a relatively large percentage of African-American workers who had been enslaved from the Revolution.

[8] Located near the southern border of Pennsylvania, the rural community became a place of refuge during the antebellum years for escaped African Americans who had been enslaved in the South.

The rural area outside of town was referred to by locals as "Little Africa" because of its relatively large concentration of African Americans in this time period.

[5] In later years, black folks moved away from here as they were at risk from slavecatchers, especially after passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, which had more stringent rules against free states.

Many African Americans moved to Philadelphia, which had a large and free black community, which helped new arrivals get settled.

[10] Mercersburg is located in southwestern Franklin County and has a total area of 0.89 square miles (2.3 km2), all land.

[9] Mercersburg is located at the eastern foot of Cove Mountain on the west side of the Great Appalachian Valley.

The Tuscarora School District covers an area of 201 square miles (520 km2), stretching north-south from just south of 40 degrees north latitude to the Maryland border and from east of the 78 degree west longitude line to just west of Chambersburg.

The school district primarily encompasses a rural agricultural area with a total population of approximately 17,000 people.

Colonists adopted the Lenape language term for Conococheague Creek, which flows through the district on its way from the Path Valley south to the Potomac River.

It has produced several Rhodes scholars, three Medal of Honor recipients, a Nobel laureate, two Academy Award winners, and 54 Olympians (including 12 gold medalists).

Its campus, located east of the square in downtown Mercersburg, spans 300 acres (120 ha).