Carlisle

Carlisle is located in Cumberland County and it is also the county seat for Cumberland County, it was founded on January 27, 1751 and it was named after Carlisle,  England.  When you travel into Carlisle you will be impressed with the architecture of the homes, buildings and churches located within the historic district.  Many of the buildings have been restored and show pride of ownership.  Many historic figures have stepped in Carlisle, George Washington, Molly Pitcher, Jim Thorpe, James Wilson, and Benjamin Rush are just a few to mention.    

Carlisle is also home to the Carlisle Barracks, it is the second oldest military base in the United States(behind West Point) and is also home to the United States Army War College and the United States Army Heritage and learning center.  The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was opened at the Carlisle Barracks in 1879 as the first government-run boarding school for Native American children. The goal of the Indian School was to force assimilation of Native children into white American society under the belief of “Kill the Indian, Save the Man.”  The school was open for 39 years before it permanently shuttered its doors.  Carlisle Barracks once again became a military installation and still this day.

Dickinson College was developed as the Carlisle Grammar School in 1773 and was chartered as Dickinson College(the first new college founded in the newly recognized United States).  Dickinson Law School was founded in 1834 and was once affiliated with Dickinson College, it is the oldest law school in Pennsylvania and it is the fifth oldest in the United States.  The campus of the two schools are within walking distance to downtown.