Derry Township near Hershey in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Pennsylvania State Police

Photographed by John Robinson, April 19, 2010

1. Pennsylvania State Police Marker

Inscription. First uniformed state police force of its kind in the nation, created by an Act of the General Assembly May 2, 1905, signed by Governor Samuel Pennypacker. The force was formed in response to concern over labor and capital unrest, especially the Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902. At this site the State Police established its first training academy in 1924. Cadets were trained here for 36 years until a new academy was built north of Hershey.

Erected 2005 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 2, 1905.

Location. 40° 16.813′ N, 76° 38.792′ W. Marker is near Hershey, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Derry Township. It is on Cocoa Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 541 Cocoa Avenue, Hershey PA 17033, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania

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Dutch Country,

in the Susquehanna Valley,

and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chocolate Workers' Sit-Down Strike (approx. 0.3 miles away); Court of Honor (approx. 0.4 miles away); Milton S. Hershey (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hershey (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wildlife Habitat Enhancement (approx. half a mile away); St. Joan of Arc Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Partnering for Barn Owls (approx. 0.6 miles away); River Otter (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hershey.

Also see . . .
1. Pennsylvania State Police - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 19, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

2. Pennsylvania State Police. Official Website (Submitted on July 19, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Pennsylvania State Police Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Robinson, April 19, 2010

2. Pennsylvania State Police Academy

Pennsylvania State Police image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Robinson, April 19, 2010

3. Pennsylvania State Police

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2010, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,810 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on February 14, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on May 30, 2010, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 2, 3. submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.