Pentre Maelor was established in 1947 as a housing estate to provide accommodation for workers from factories in the area.

[2] The village has retained its original layout, which consists of a rectangular central lock and connected 'wings' of houses, each of which is built around a green space.

The first non-conformist to be buried was J Lloyd of Bryn Agog Hall of which the area surrounding his grave was given the name.

[5] During World War II, the UK Government built a Royal Ordnance Factory in the area, producing cordite, for use in firing shells.

[5] HM Prison Berwyn was built in 2017, to a short distance north-east of the housing estate.