As you stroll through the historic district of Red Lion you will be taking a step back in time. In the late 1800's Red Lion began to develop into a bustling town full of culture and industry. Historic landmarks are easily found today in the Red Lion Square and throughout the town. A statement to the amazing economic growth and development that occured here in the first half of the 1900's.

The main source of wealth and growth in the community was cigar manufacturing. The many energetic, enterprising, and thrify cigar manufacturers built many of the homes, businesses and cultural centers of the community. In many of the families in the community the husband had a business or job in addition the wife and family rolled cigars. Many families had two significant sources of income 75 years before it became common in the rest of the country.

The cigar products of Red Lion were shipped all over the country under many brands and in many styles. In 1941 sufficient cigars were manufactured in one day to supply 7500 smokers for 365 days each smoking an average of 6 cigars a day and still having some left for friends.

Next to the cigar industry, no other force has contributed more to the growth and the making of Red Lion, then the Furniture Industry. The first factory was organized in 1907. From 1941 to 1951, the combined wood-working industries in Red Lion consumed enough lumber to build a walk 18 and a half inches wide around the world.

The incorporation of the Red Lion Borough in 1880 automatically created the Red Lion School District. The Red Lion schools have maintained a high standard of education throughout their existence and have added much to the development of this area. When Red Lion celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1930 enrollment in the schools was 1005 students. In 1953 a jointure agreement formed the Red Lion Area School District. In 1998 enrollment was 5182 students. Today enrollment is over 6000 students.

During the period from 1950-1990 Red Lion entered a dormant stage. The town economy slowed many businesses closed or moved to malls. In the 1990's many local business owners and the borough itself began looking for ways to improve the community. The Red Lion Area Business Association formed, the Borough set up the Red Lion Redevelopment Commission, and many other initiatives and projects were started.

Around the year 2000 the area around Red Lion started to receive a huge influx of new home owners. Many people are moving to the area to commute to Baltimore, Harrisburg and Lancaster. Along with strong redevelopment efforts, this has revitalized the community and created a wonderful destination for your trip.