AREA HISTORY:  Seven Valley, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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SEVEN VALLEY – Page 716

This village has about twenty houses, and is located three-quarters of a mile north of Hanover 
Junction, on the Northern Central Railroad.  The name “Sieben Thal” or Seven Valley, originated 
with the first German settlers, who took up the fertile lands in the vicinity about 1740.  
Among these settlers, were a number of “Sieben Tagers” or Seventh Day Baptists, who came 
thither from their settlement at Conestoga and Ephrata, Lancaster County.  The use of the words 
“Thal” and “Tag” becoming confused, the former predominated, and hence, doubtless, originating 
the name Seven Valley.  The surrounding country is greatly undulating, but there are not seven 
valleys distinctly marked in the vicinity.

In 1838, when the railroad was completed from Baltimore to York, Jacob Smyser and John E. 
Ziegler opened the first store at this point.  The station was called “Smyser” in honor of the 
first-named gentlemen.  The postoffice was established the same year.  It was named Seven 
Valley, and John E. Ziegler was appointed postmaster.

Henry Bott succeeded in the store business in 1840, and has continued since.  He also became 
postmaster the same year.  His son W. W. Bott succeeded him as postmaster in 1875, and the same 
year began the manufacture of ice cream.  Nathan Glatfelter opened a store in 1873.  There are 
a number of cigar factories in the village.  Dr. J. Allen Glatfelter practices medicine here.  
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at Seven Valley was organized by the late Rev. C. J. 
Deininger, March 29, 1868.  The congregation worshiped in a hall until 1871, when the present 
church was built.  The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. A. H. Lochman of York.  Rev. 
Deininger resigned the charge September 6, 1874.  His successors since then have been Revs. D. 
Stock, L. T. Williams, Peter Anstadt and C. M. Eyster.  The membership at present is fifty.  
The Sunday-school numbers 100 pupils.  H. I. Glatfelter is superintendent.