About Upper Allen Township
Upper Allen Township, established in 1850, is a vibrant and growing community in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, offering a balance of residential appeal, educational excellence, and economic opportunities.
Located just west of the Susquehanna River and adjacent to Mechanicsburg, the township is part of the Greater Harrisburg Metropolitan Area, providing convenient access to the state capital and the broader region.
Key facts:
Location: Central Pennsylvania, eastern Cumberland County, approximately 8 miles southwest of Harrisburg (Wikipedia – Upper Allen Township).
Transportation Access: Bisected by U.S. Route 15 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76), offering excellent regional and interstate connectivity (PennDOT).
Economic Presence: Home to offices and operations of several national businesses, drawn by the township’s strategic location and infrastructure (Upper Allen Township – Official Website).
Education & Community: Home to Messiah University, a nationally recognized private institution with 2,800 students (Messiah University), and Messiah Lifeways, a well-established retirement community with 700 residents (Messiah Lifeways).
Quality of Life: Features a growing population of more than 23,000 residents, expansive parks and recreational facilities, and a strong community identity (Visit Cumberland Valley – Upper Allen Township).
Square Mileage: 13.4
ISO Rating: 4/9 (What is ISO?)
Our Story
In 1942, in the spirit of civil defense, the residents of the Village of Grantham formed the first fire department – calling it The Grantham Volunteer Fire Co.
By 1949 the company had two used fire engines and a community hall. The company was soon providing service in surrounding Upper Allen Township, so the company changed its name to The Upper Allen Fire Company of Grantham.
In the sixties, the company opened a second station on Gettysburg Pike and dropped the reference to Grantham from its name.
In 1983, fire destroyed the Gettysburg Pike Station. In what was to become a true phoenix from the ashes, the members rallied and combined into one central station on the township facilities campus, and on June 22, 1985, began doing business as the Upper Allen Fire Department.
In many ways, however, the fire department hasn’t changed. It still operates as a volunteer fire department (no fire department member receives pay for any work) and still works to achieve the same results as the founders in the 1940s.