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Officially incorporated in 1866, the site of Dallastown was once used as a parade ground by local militia during the Revolutionary War era. When James Peeling purchased 95 acres in the area in 1841, he set in motion the community's formation. In 1844, the town was officially named Dallastown, in honor of Philadelphia lawyer and vice president elect George M. Dallas. The final decades of the 19th century saw even more development for Dallastown. The first cigar factory in town opened in 1860, and by 1885, over 38 factories were in operation, creating new jobs, attracting new businesses, and more than doubling the population. Marking its sesquicentennial in 2016, the community of Dallastown continues to celebrate its borough and its unique history.