[4] A small borough in the Allegheny Mountains in southwestern Pennsylvania, Summerhill was settled in the early 19th century and grew in large part from the regional presence of Allegheny Portage Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad.

According to some sources, Indians burned the Croyles' cabin and property, causing the family to seek refuge at Fort Bedford.

By 1800, Barbara Croyle chose to rebuild their homestead with stone; she limited windows to two sides of the house to keep it stronger if attacked.

Originally spelled "Somerhill", the township was likely named for Joseph and David Somers, some of its early, chief landowners.

[5] In the 1820s, Summerhill Township covered a large swath of land in the north-central part of the current county, including present-day Jackson, Munster, Washington, Portage and Blacklick townships.

[5] Summerhill is located in south-central Cambria County at 40°22′32″N 78°45′38″W / 40.37556°N 78.76056°W / 40.37556; -78.76056 (40.375424, -78.760623)[7] in the Laurel Highlands of the Allegheny Mountains.