Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Below: 2 old photos and papers, maps from 1884 on, and the census since 1850.
Halifax dates its founding to 1784 (Wikidata). The census first counted it in 1850.
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Halifax’s history is told.
Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Halifax. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.
U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Halifax.
From Wikipedia’s history of Halifax.
The Legislative Route 1 Sycamore Allee is located along both sides of the road south of Halifax and on the east side of the road north of Halifax; it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Passages that mention Halifax, cut from the printed page as they were published.
Halifax, in Halifax township, was platted July 18, 1784, by George Sheafter and Peter Rise. The original survey was executed by John Downey for the proprietors. It was incorporated May 29, 1875.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Richard Peters, Esq., of Philadelphia, Secretary of the Council, dated July 3, 1757, thus: "Sir: As we of this township have petitioned the Governor for a removal of the Garrison from Halifax to Hunters, I beg the favor of you to use your interest with his Hon'r on our behalf. The defense of Halifax is of no advantage, but a Garrison at Hunters, under the command of an active officer will be of great Service; it will render the carriage of provisions and Ammunition for the use
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.
Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.
Born hereJames K. Moorhead is born here
On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
In the archiveView looking NW at Wiconisco Canel Aqueduct no. 3. - Wiconisco Canal Aqueduct No. 3, Span…One decade in the archive so far: the 1990s. Scroll each row; tap a photo for its story.
Fire insurance maps drew every building, what it was made of and what it was used for, so insurers could price the risk of fire. Pick a sheet.
1884Sheet 1 of 1Sanborn Map Company, via the Library of Congress. Editions published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.
Between 436 and 911 people in every census since 1850.
18 censuses, 1850–2020.
U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Halifax’s Wikipedia page.
In 1784, according to Wikidata. Halifax’s post office opened in 1805, and the census of 1850 counted 436 people here.
What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →
From Wikimedia Commons (12), Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System, Sanborn fire insurance maps (Library of Congress) and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
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