Our History

The Borough of Carroll Valley came into being September 30, 1974, on the petition of more than eighty percent of its prospective freeholders. The Borough's creation was the direct result of sustained action by a Citizens Association of 1,200 members, only one-fourth of who were owners of homes. This unusual circumstance of Borough formation arose from the failure of an ambitious residential development and the indifference of local township officials to the plight of residents and landowners in the defunct development, Charnita, Inc. Borough boundaries were made to coincide with the most built up sections of the Charnita development but did not include all of it. Within the boundaries were also some non-development farms, orchards, and residential properties. The total boundary lines remain as originally established, 21.5 miles in all, enclosing 5.5 square miles of land and water. Within the Borough are over 70 miles of roads.

Throughout its history, Carroll Valley has seen careful work by many citizens and officials through many committees and commissions to improve the community of Carroll Valley while seeking to retain its natural beauty and semi-rural ambience.

Carroll Valley's location in the southwest corner of Adams County is one of unusual beauty, with originally a combination of unspoiled farm and orchard land, woods, meadows, and mountain slopes. Most of the land in the Borough is in the Tom's Creek basin. This stream, and other smaller streams, while subject to flooding and runoff erosion during high water, remains essentially clean and unpolluted.

The Borough has excellent recreational facilities, including Carroll Commons, Ranch Trail Commons, Lake Kay Mini-Park; and three man-made lakes which are open to the public for passive recreation and fishing. Carroll Valley is also home to Liberty Mountain Resort, which includes Skiing, Golfing, Restaurants, bars, hotel, pools, ice skating and much more.