The history of West Chester goes back to the 1700s, when settlers first trickled westward from the eastern seaboard to build log cabins in what was then still pristine forest. The town itself was founded in the latter part of the century and elevated to borough level in 1799. A post office, bank and courthouse were established in town shortly thereafter. Around this time, West Chester was commonly known as Turks Head for the inn of the same name on High Street, on the eastern side of the borough.

In 1832, a rail between West Chester and Malvern was completed, expanding the borough’s trade and transportation options. It was not until 1858, however, that the Pennsylvania Railroad took over and connected West Chester to Philadelphia.

As the town grew, West Chester received a telegraph connection in 1851 and a gas light company the year after. During the 1850s, West Chester also served as a station on the Underground Railroad near Philadelphia, and many local residents were involved in smuggling slaves out of the South. The town’s sympathetic stance on abolition made it a popular settling place with freed slaves after the Civil War. By the end of the 19th century, blacks made up approximately one-quarter of the population. Today, West Chester is home to about 18,000 people, with a rather large African-American minority of 17%.