The community was originally called Alger, located at a crossing of the Swatara Creek.

Local residents established a hotel, a general store, a grain mill, a lumber yard, a community park, and the Union Water Works Church.

Today, some stone masonry of the weigh station, towpath, and nearby canal locks remain, but they are all on private property and are essentially unrecognizable to the casual observer.

The Union Water Works Fire Company continues to serve the area.

The last remaining which is perhaps the last link to the Union Canal era is the sign on tree in the park.