AREA HISTORY:  Delta Borough, York County, PA

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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THE BOROUGH OF DELTA – Page 765

The land upon which the Borough of Delta is built was deeded by the proprietaries to Alexander 
McCandless in 1744.  The town, however, is of recent origin.  William Orr built the first house 
within the borough limits.  There was a collection of a dozen or more houses before any 
specific name was given.  The citizens met, once upon a time, to decide upon a name.  The word 
Delta was suggested and accepted.  The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet is Delta, but the 
word in English is used to designate a triangular piece of land, drained by the different 
mouths of a river, and having the shape of the letter named.

The original postoffice was named “Mine Hill,” established September 20, 1866, and situated in 
Harford County, Md.  It was removed to the young village June 15, 1869, and changed to Delta.  
The court granted a decree incorporating the town into a borough June 24, 1880.  The first 
municipal election was held August 30, 1880.  V. G. Stubbs was chosen burgess, H. R. Loyd, H. 
C. Robert, E. J. Blain, T. A. Battie, Howell Williams and Robert Ramsay, councilmen.  The 
population at present is 500.  The town is rapidly increasing in size.  The borough is well 
represented by the following business interests:  E. Arnold & Co., V. G. Stubbs & Son and Loyd 
& Blain in general merchandise; William F. McLaughlin, hardware; A. M. Clarke, jewelry; L. B. 
Rankin, drugs; Mary A. Colmary, millinery and fancy goods; Bullet & Poist, carriage-makers; Dr. 
J. W. Hickman, druggist and physician.  The other practicing physicians are W. H. Kilgore and 
W. McCurdy.  J. T. Crawford is justice of the peace and surveyor.  V. G. Stubbs & Son have 
recently started a creamery.

Corporal Baer Post No, 277, G. A. R., of Delta, was organized under a charter granted August 
22, 1882, with twenty-four members and the following officers:  Commander, A. M. Clarke; S. V. 
C., R. L. Jones; J. V. C., S. M. McLaughlin; quartermaster, J. P. Baker; Chaplain, Richard 
Ruff; Officer of the Day, W. G. Macomber; Officer of the Guard, James Poff; Adjutant, H. J. 
Baer.  These officers served to January, 1883, and were then re-elected for one year.  W. G. 
Macomber was Commander during the year 1884.  The officers for the year 1885 were as follows:  
Commander, H. J. Baer; S. V. C., Thomas Fisher; J. V. C., James Poff; Quartermaster, A. M. 
Clarke; Chaplain, Amos Stevens; Officer of the Guard, William D. Williams; Adjutant, W. G. 
Macomber.

Of the members of this post the following belonged to Maryland regiments:  Thomas Fisher, 
Company C, Seventh Regiment Infantry; Amos Stevens, Company H, same regiment; James Poff, 
Company I, Indiana Regiment; W. G. Macomber, Company C, Thirteenth Regiment; Henry Fisher, 
Battery B, First Indiana Artillery; Samuel Fisher, same regiment.

The Delta Building & Loan Association was organized in April, 1884.  Its stock consists of 320 
shares, par value $100, held by 105 stockholders.  Its present directors are A. M. Clarke, 
president; E. Arnold, vice-president; J. T. Crawford, secretary; Robert L. Jones, treasurer; V. 
G. Stubbs, Dr. W. McCurdy, Richard Rees, W. S. Whiteford and A. H. Scarborough.