Bloomsburg is the only incorporated Town in Pennsylvania. First settled in 1775, Bloomsburg had considered creating a municipality in order to set up a governing body, but Bloom Township would then have been separate from Bloomsburg and the remaining rural area would have been too sparsely populated to establish its own government. Most of the surrounding settlements had established governments prior to 1870, but Bloomsburg's dilemma was finally solved when State Senator Charles R. Buckalew proposed a bill to incorporate Bloomsburg as a Town. This style of government not only distinguishes Bloomsburg from other villages, boroughs, municipalities, townships and cities in Pennsylvania, it also requires the Pennsylvania Legislature to make special mention of Bloomsburg when passing a municipal law.

Rapid growth, spurred by the iron industry in the 1800's, was anticipated by town plans and a design in 1802 by Ludwig Eyer. Bloomsburg and the surrounding area grew rapidly during the nineteenth century as the iron industry flourished. Part of a National Historic District, Bloomsburg's downtown is noted for its historical buildings boasting a variety of architectural styles.

Located along the Susquehanna River, Bloomsburg boasts one of the most scenic river land parks in the area and is host to Bloomsburg Fairgrounds and Bloomsburg University. Columbia County boasts Nineteen covered bridges within the county, and four span the borders between Columbia and Northumberland Counties. Homes and property are affordable, and the schools are recognized for their educational standards.

Areas in and around Bloomsburg are rural, small town, and suburban in their appeal. It is no surprise then that entertainment here runs from the arts such as Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble; to outdoor activities such as hunting, boating, fishing, camping, swimming; or Knoebels Amusement Park . Shopping is provided by the more than 80 retail merchants in the prosperous business district.

The Town of Bloomsburg, (pop. 12,000), adjoins the campus of Bloomsburg University (est. 1839), a four-year, public university and a member of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. Founded in 1839 as the "Bloomsburg Literary Institute," and with a historically strong reputation for teacher education, programs of study include the arts and humanities, sciences, education, health care and business. A community hospital is across the street from the university and Danville's Geisinger Medical Center is only 10 miles away.

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