Towanda Borough, Bradford County, Pennsylvania

Early History

Founded by William Means, who settled on the site around 1786, Towanda was located on the wagon road which ran north to Tioga (later Athens) and on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River, which provided access to markets both downstream and upstream. Means himself was a boatman by trade; he soon added a distillery, tavern and ferry to his little empire. When Bradford County was organized in 1812, Means was influential in locating the county seat in Meansville, as the town was then known; court was held in his tavern until the courthouse was finished in 1816. By that year, several merchants were trading there, a tannery had been built, and a number of grist mills and sawmills were operating in the vicinity. By 1825, the population was 225.

The Borough of Towanda was incorporated in 1826.

Towanda Borough Today

Towanda Borough operates under a nine (9) member council form of government and has a Mayor who acts as a tiebreaker and oversees the Police Department.

The Borough provides for police protection, fire protection, zoning, road and bridge maintenance, water/sewage facilities, parks and recreation.

According to the 2000 US Census, Towanda Borough had a population of 3024.

Historic Sites:

French Azilum Historic Site  French exiles settled near here in 1793, building a country mansion as a potential refuge for Marie Antoinette. After her execution, most of the founders left the area.     http://www.frenchazilum.com/history.html

Bradford County Historical Society Museum  In 1998, the Bradford County Commissioners voted to move to what was the old county jail. It is now located on Pine Street in Towanda, where it is now known as the Bradford County Historical Society and Museum. It was not until 2002 that the place would be open to the public for those wishing to use the place to look up information about family and history of the area.   (See other links)

 Office Hours:  7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (After 3:30 p.m. some services are limited, such as Building Permits; Rental Inspections; Code & Zoning Enforcement; and Parking Enforcement, including Payments & Reserved Parking questions).

Office hours are subject to change without prior notice at the discretion of Management, inclement weather, employee events, or other circumstances. Full day holiday closings are posted in advance below.

2022 Holiday Closings:                        

Please plan accordingly if you are making Water & Sewer Payments, Trash Sticker purchases, Building Permits, and any other Borough related business that is conducted in the Muncipal Building.  Water & Sewer Payments for Towanda Water & Sewer and Wysox Twp Water & Sewer can be made online - register your account at www.xpressbillpay.com or we offer a secure 24-hr. drop-box in the door off of Means St.

Thank you!