Blue Ridge Summit, PA

Blue Ridge Summit is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 16,811 at the 2010 census. Blue Ridge Summit is located at 40°5′N 75°24′W (40.0933,-75.4167). According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.9 km2), all of it land.

The borough is served by the Blue Ridge Summit School District and by Routes 202 and 309 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76).

The first Europeans to visit what would become Blue Ridge Summit were French explorers who passed through in 1738 on their way to explore what is now West Virginia. The first permanent European settler in what would become Blue Ridge Summit was Nicholas Longworth, who arrived in 1772 from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with his wife and six children. He purchased of land from the Penn family for £100 sterling (approximately $2250 today).

In 1802, Longworth's son-in-law James Buchanan built a mill on Mill Creek near where Route 202 crosses it today; this became one of the earliest businesses in town. In 1815, Buchanan erected a gristmill on Mill Creek that still stands today; this mill was destroyed by fire in 1916 but has been restored and operates as a museum open to visitors year-round.

In 1825, John Armstrong built an inn on Main Street that still stands; it is now known as The Old Stone House Inn & Restaurant and features live music performances throughout the year. In 1830, Armstrong erected a sawmill on Spring Run that still stands; this mill was destroyed by fire in 1911 but has been restored and operates as a museum open to visitors year-round as well.

A post office called Blue Ridge Summit had been established in 1892, and remained in operation until 1966 when it was renamed Blue Ridge Summit Borough after being incorporated as an independent municipality within Montgomery County.[6]

As of 2010,[update], there are two banks operating within Blue Ridge Summit: PNC Bank and First National Bank.[7] There are also several restaurants including Subway®, Dunkin' Donuts®, Five Guys Burgers & Fries®, Wendy's®, Chili's® Mexican Grill®, Longhorn Steakhouse®‎‎‎‎and Carrabba's Italian Grill®‎‎‎​within walking distance from most homes.[8] A library branch operated out of town until 2007 when it moved into its own building adjacent to the municipal building.[9]