Population14,483 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
A County Name With A Legislative Story
Fulton County, PennsylvaniaMcConnellsburg anchors Fulton County in south-central Pennsylvania, where the name chosen for the county differed from the original proposal. Local heritage resources connect the borough’s earlier land planning with the later creation of a separate county from neighboring Bedford. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 14,483 residents in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 438 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Fulton County at a Glance
Population14,483 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatMcConnellsburg
Largest Municipality (2025 estimate)Ayr township
Established1850 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP Code LookupUSPS address lookup
Total Area, Including Water438.055 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Roads & Traffic511PA travel updates
Telephone Area CodesPUC area-code map
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Fulton County
Fulton County
Fulton County was created from Bedford County in 1850. The proposed name Liberty gave way to Fulton, honoring inventor Robert Fulton, during the legislative process. McConnellsburg's beginnings were earlier: Daniel McConnell provided land for the town in 1786, before it took on its later county-seat role. The contrast between the town's beginnings and the county's later creation is central to the story. A community can have a substantial past before becoming the administrative center of a new jurisdiction.
Begin in McConnellsburg and use the difference between town planning and county formation as a historical theme. Local heritage resources can help connect the early land story with later civic institutions. The county's naming debate offers another specific detail to follow. A town walk can concentrate on that sequence of land planning and public development. Use the heritage account to identify questions rather than assuming every early location has surviving buildings or interpretation.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Local heritage resources connect the borough's earlier land planning with the later creation of a separate county from neighboring Bedford.
Community History
Fulton County was created from Bedford County in 1850. The proposed name Liberty gave way to Fulton, honoring inventor Robert Fulton, during the legislative process.
Explore Locally
Begin in McConnellsburg and use the difference between town planning and county formation as a historical theme. Local heritage resources can help connect the early land story with later civic institutions.
Discover the earlier town story behind a later county identity.
A Closer Look
Fulton County
Places and perspectives from Fulton County
Fulton County Wire
Fulton County & Pennsylvania News
Includes Pennsylvania statewide reporting; stories may cover other counties.Photo CreditsSpotlight PA — Pennsylvania Statewide
Top EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concerns
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Fulton County
Stories from every corner of Fulton County.
Top EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concerns
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Erie gunman who killed family controlled their movements, finances: police
A Pennsylvania man who fatally shot eight others, including seven family members, before killing himself had exercised strict…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Rep. Perry’s Trump ties targeted by Dems in closely watched Pa. swing district race
The president’s declining popularity could be a liability for Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a Trump loyalist who…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Reading could pull up to $24M from reserves to balance its next 2 budgets
Reading may use $24 million in reserves to cover budget gaps over two years, raising fears the city…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
The legislature didn’t act on skill games by the Pa. Supreme Court’s deadline. What happens now?
Top lawmakers said they wanted to act before the court-imposed deadline but didn’t, leading some members to mount…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
McConnellsburg El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-05. 151 E Cherry St, McConnellsburg, PA 17233. 717-485-4438.
Forbes Road El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-06. 143 Red Bird Drive, Waterfall, PA 16689. 814-685-3866.
Southern Fulton El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-06. 3072 Great Cove Rd, Warfordsburg, PA 17267. 717-294-3400.
McConnellsburg HS – High; grades 09-12. 151 E Cherry St, McConnellsburg, PA 17233. 717-485-3195.
McConnellsburg MS – Middle; grades 06-08. 151 East Cherry Street, McConnellsburg, PA 17233. 717-485-3195.
Forbes Road JSHS – High; grades 07-12. 159 Red Bird Drive, Waterfall, PA 16689. 814-685-3866.
Southern Fulton JSHS – High; grades 07-12. 13083 Buck Valley Rd, Warfordsburg, PA 17267. 717-294-3251.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Fulton County Medical Center – Critical Access Hospitals. 214 Peach Orchard Road, Mcconnellsburg, PA 17233. 717-485-3155.
Public Safety
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Emergency Services
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
State Parks
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Trails
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Utilities
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Fulton County Library – 227 North First St, Mcconnellsburg, PA 17233. 717-485-5327.
Hustontown Branch Library – 313 East Pitt Street, Suite B, Hustontown, PA 17229. 717-987-3606.
Courts
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
DMV
Pennsylvania — Find a Location
Pennsylvania — Title and Registration
Pennsylvania — Licenses & Photo IDs
Transportation
Pennsylvania statewide resource for residents and visitors.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Plan Your Fulton County Visit
Find places to go, compare activities and make the most of your time here.
Local Questions
Fulton County: Places, Plans & Practical Answers
Start with these 11 answers, then find 5 more planning questions below the discovery lists.
The barn quilt route is a viewing drive, not permission to enter farms or yards. Enjoy the designs from public roads or authorized stopping places, avoid blocking traffic and ask before entering private property.
Fulton House Museum: Explore county history in McConnellsburg when the museum is open; arrange ahead for a special visit. Cowans Gap State Park: Plan a lake picnic and short walk; the park lies in Fulton and Franklin counties.
Cowans Gap State Park: Plan a lake picnic and short walk; the park lies in Fulton and Franklin counties. Fulton County Barn Quilt Trail: Take a self-guided drive past outdoor quilt patterns; view from public routes without entering private property.
Cowans Gap State Park: Plan a lake picnic and short walk; the park lies in Fulton and Franklin counties. Fulton County Barn Quilt Trail: Take a self-guided drive past outdoor quilt patterns; view from public routes without entering private property. Free access does not include purchases, rentals or separately ticketed activities.
Wild Annie's: Choose a made-to-order meal on Lowry Drive in McConnellsburg. The Fulton Pub: Consider sandwiches, subs and dinner specials on Lincoln Way East in McConnellsburg.
Tickle Your Fancy: Look for gifts during a visit to McConnellsburg. Burnt Cabins Grist Mill Store: Look for mill products, souvenirs, T-shirts and sweatshirts in Burnt Cabins; check the current store schedule.
Burnt Cabins Grist Mill Store: Look for mill products, souvenirs, T-shirts and sweatshirts in Burnt Cabins; check the current store schedule.
Local heritage resources connect the borough's earlier land planning with the later creation of a separate county from neighboring Bedford. Use the local museums and historic sites above to explore that story in more detail.
Fulton County Library – 227 North First St, Mcconnellsburg, PA 17233. 717-485-5327. Hustontown Branch Library – 313 East Pitt Street, Suite B, Hustontown, PA 17229. 717-987-3606. These contacts come from the supplied local-library directory; call for current opening hours, children’s programs and visitor services.
McConnellsburg El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-05. 151 E Cherry St, McConnellsburg, PA 17233. 717-485-4438. Forbes Road El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-06. 143 Red Bird Drive, Waterfall, PA 16689. 814-685-3866. These are selected contacts from the supplied school directory. Contact the school or district to confirm attendance boundaries and enrollment; a nearby school is not necessarily the assigned school.
McConnellsburg is the county seat recorded in the supplied Fulton County information. Use the Government tab in local resources to locate the department you need; offices may have different addresses and appointment arrangements.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time for a Local DiscoveryExplore places to eat, shop and spend time in Fulton County, Pennsylvania. Follow each link for current visiting details.
Kids’ Fun
- Fulton House Museum — Explore county history in McConnellsburg when the museum is open; arrange ahead for a special visit.
- Cowans Gap State Park — Plan a lake picnic and short walk; the park lies in Fulton and Franklin counties.
Restaurants
- Wild Annie's — Choose a made-to-order meal on Lowry Drive in McConnellsburg.
- The Fulton Pub — Consider sandwiches, subs and dinner specials on Lincoln Way East in McConnellsburg.
Shopping & Retail
- Tickle Your Fancy — Look for gifts during a visit to McConnellsburg.
- Burnt Cabins Grist Mill Store — Look for mill products, souvenirs, T-shirts and sweatshirts in Burnt Cabins; check the current store schedule.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Burnt Cabins Grist Mill Store — Look for mill products, souvenirs, T-shirts and sweatshirts in Burnt Cabins; check the current store schedule.
Outdoor Fun
- Cowans Gap State Park — Plan a lake picnic and short walk; the park lies in Fulton and Franklin counties.
- Fulton County Barn Quilt Trail — Take a self-guided drive past outdoor quilt patterns; view from public routes without entering private property.
Free Things to Do
- Cowans Gap State Park — Plan a lake picnic and short walk; the park lies in Fulton and Franklin counties.
- Fulton County Barn Quilt Trail — Take a self-guided drive past outdoor quilt patterns; view from public routes without entering private property.
Businesses in This County Guide
More Fulton County Questions
How could I build a short Fulton County outing from these places?
One possible plan is Fulton House Museum, a meal at Wild Annie's, and a browse at Tickle Your Fancy. These are separate stops; map their addresses and check opening times before deciding whether all three fit your day.
How can I keep a Fulton County day trip inexpensive?
Start with Cowans Gap State Park and Fulton County Barn Quilt Trail and bring a picnic where permitted. Budget separately for museum or amusement tickets, restaurant meals, parking where charged, rentals and purchases. Check the linked destination’s current fees instead of assuming every activity on its grounds is free.
Where should I check the forecast before visiting Cowans Gap State Park?
Use the county weather section above for the forecast. For Cowans Gap State Park, also open the destination’s notices for trail, road or facility closures. A county forecast does not confirm that an individual trail or activity is operating.
What should I confirm before making a special trip to Burnt Cabins Grist Mill Store?
Use Burnt Cabins Grist Mill Store to confirm the physical-store address, current opening days and whether the item or fitting you need is available. Some shops list online stock, multiple locations or appointment services, so contact the store about a specific visit.
Where can I find the businesses featured in this Fulton County guide?
The “Businesses in This County Guide” section links to Klines Tax Service, Stolzfus Manufacturing. Open a business page for its contact details. A business featured in this guide may serve the county from another location; confirm its address and service area directly.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.