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by Tondoteottotote on July 26th, 2005

Tondoteottotote

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How did the town of Intercourse get its name?

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  • by Answer Guy on July 28th, 2005

    Answer Guy

    Much speculation exists concerning the origin of the name of this little country village. There are several explanations, but none really can be substantiated. The first centers around an old race track which existed just east of town. As one leaves town, traveling eastward on the "Old Philadelphia Pike", there is a long stretch of road where the track was located. This was the entrance to the race course, and was known as "Entercourse". It is believed that "Entercourse" gradually evolved into "Intercourse" which became the name of the town in 1814.

    Another theory concerns two famous roads that crossed here. The Old King's Highway from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh (now the old Philadelphia Pike) ran east and west through the center of the town. The road from Wilmington to Erie intersected in the middle. The joining of these two roads is claimed by some to be the basis for the town "Cross Keys" or eventually "Intercourse".

    A final idea comes from the "old english" language used more commonly when the name "Intercourse" was adopted in 1814. It speaks to the "fellowship" or social interaction and friendship which was so much a part of an agricultural village and culture at this time. These roots mark the community of faith to this day, and the many evidences of it are experienced by those who care to dig a bit more deeply in their Amish farmland venture.

    From the Pennsylvania Dutch (padutch.com) website.

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