Montour County (population 18,087) was created on May 3, 1850, from part of Columbia County and named for Madame Montour, a woman of Native American and French descent, who was prominent in Native American affairs.  Danville, the county seat, was laid out in 1792 and incorporated as a borough on February 27, 1849. It was the county seat of Columbia County from 1813 until 1846.

Danville ’s place in history was written in October of 1845 when the first iron T-rail produced in America was rolled at the Montour Iron Works.

Montour County, in the heart of Pennsylvania, is home to rural farmlands, state game lands, state forests, nature preserves, the Susquehanna River and its tributaries.  Almost 20,000 acres of state game land in the area are used for hunting, boating, hiking, bird watching, and nature study while there are plenty of lakes and streams for bass, trout, muskie, pickerel, and many other fish. One of several nearby state parks, Ricketts Glen is a Registered Natural Landmark with more than 22 waterfalls which can be seen by following a seven-mile trail through the area.  

Montour County may be the smallest of Pennsylvania’s counties in geographical size but certainly not in things to do.  Located on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River, Montour County is within four hours of New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore.   Its county seat - Danville - is a treasure chest of quaint gift shops, antique shops, and art galleries, along with several outstanding inns for the visitor to stay a while.  Columbia County with its 24 covered bridges is minutes to the east.  Historic Victorian Lewisburg is minutes to the west.  The mountains of Lycoming County are 30 minutes to the north.  The Pennsylvania Dutch country is two hours to the south.

Plan several days to visit our historic sites and natural scenery, browse our shops and eat in some of the finest dining establishments in the area.  Whatever your shopping pleasure or appetite - we have it here in... Montour County, PA.

Graphics and Text from Pennsylvania Visitors Network.  Edited and updated by Teri Diener.