This borough was incorporated June 7, 1886. It was previously known as a village under the name of Middletown, while the postoffice name was Vancefort. It was established in August, 1861, and changed to Coraopolis in March, 1886.

The site of the borough was originally secured in warranty title by Henry Montour, April 3, 1769. It is a matter of uncertainty whether he ever lived upon this tract, and highly probable that his residence was not long, at all events. Robert Vance, who is thought to have been the first permanent settler in Moon township, settled in the vicinity of Montour’s warrant about the beginning of the Revolution, and for the protection of himself and his neighbors, of whom several arrived within a few years, a stockade and blockhouse were built on his land. The Indians on the opposite side of the Ohio were very aggressive, and made frequent predatory incursions into the territory to the south. The danger from these attacks is shown in the fact that murder and outrage were of frequent occurrence, notwithstanding the protection afforded by the fort.

Since acquiring railroad facilities, the town has improved rapidly. The location combines healthfulness, accessibility and congenial natural surroundings, the requisite conditions to secure valuable and permanent accessions to the population. The next few years will probably bring forth great changes in its appearance, and in that of this entire section of country. The churches of the borough are Presbyterian, United Presbyterian and Methodist, all of recent origin. The Review, an able exponent of local interests, appears at regular but infrequent intervals.

n 1892, community development took off with the construction of the first high-speed electric street railway in the United States. The railway was scheduled to run up to 40 mph, going from Coraopolis, over Neville Island and to McKees Rocks. Along with the railway came Consolidated Lamp and Glass Company to Coraopolis, moving from its location in Fostoria, Ohio. Consolidated Glass employed up to 350 people, and was located in Coraopolis from 1895 until 1963. Other Coraopolis residents worked for the new industries established on Neville Island.