General Info

Dauphin County is located in south-central Pennsylvania on a 557.7-square-mile area, approximately 100 miles west of Philadelphia, and 200 miles east of Pittsburgh. The county was named Dauphin in honor of the eldest son of the King of France, who had come to the aid of the American colonies during the American Revolution. Yorkshire, England native, John Harris, was one of the first emigrants to accompany William Penn. He moved with his wife from Chester County to Lancaster County in 1719. In about 1727, John Harris, Jr. was born to the couple. He would become the founder of Harrisburg and the leader in the movement to establish Dauphin County. Dauphin County offices include the Coroner, Controller s Office, Spring Creek, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Victim Witness, Veterans Affairs and the Treasurer s Office.