Norristown Municipality

Norristown History:
Norristown has always been a place of immigration and emigration.

With the introduction of Europeans to North America, the Swedish and Dutch fur traders traveled the Schuylkill during their trading missions.

During the British colonial period came the English followed by the Germans who established a small settlement.

During the Revolution Norristown saw hostilities during the British occupation of Philadelphia when the town and its iron works were burned to the ground.

The town is named for Isaac Norris, a member of the colonial Pennsylvania legislature who ordered the casting of the Liberty Bell.

Norristown was one of the largest communities under Pennsylvania's borough form of government.

Norristown was established as a mill town. It was a retail center for the rural areas outside of Philadelphia.

During the Abolitionist Movement Norristown was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad.