Verona was incorporated May 10, 1871, by act of assembly, from Penn and Plum townships. It borders on the Allegheny river a distance of two and one-half miles, extending inland a mile in the precinct north of Plum creek. The streets are wide and regular. There is no large part of the population below the railroad; that part of the town has been overflowed by river freshets several times within the last score of years, and is consequently regarded with a degree of disfavor. The avenue above the railroad is lined with beautiful residences, while the ascending slope in the rear presents many specimens of tasteful suburban architecture. Taken as a whole, the town and its surroundings can not fail to impress the visitor favorably.

The Allegheny Valley railroad was opened to Kittanning January 30, 1856, and the history of the town as such practically dates from that event. There are five stations within the borough limits; Hulton, Oakmont, Edgewater, Verona and Iona.

In 1769 George Croghan patented three hundred acres in the upper part of the borough. In 1776 he transferred the land to Thomas Girty, and he, in 1800, to Col. Pressly Neville. In 1813 Neville conveyed it to Robert Elliott, and from him it was transferred to Michael Bright in 1816. It has since been divided and subdivided. Oakmont was the name by which a tract of six hundred acres, embracing much of that part of the borough above Plum creek, was patented to David Greer more than a hundred years ago. Jonathan Hulton settled very early in that part of the borough which bears his name.

Caleb Lee,Sr., was an early owner of about eleven hundred acres. Richard Jones, Arthur Speer, Samuel Gray and Parker had tracts within what is now the borough.

Very early James Verner laid out part of the land about Verona station, which was formerly known as Verner. This part of the town received an impetus when the railroad-shops were located here, soon after the road was opened. The Verona Tool-works, Metcalf, Paul & Co., proprietors, were established in 1873, burned and rebuilt in 1881, with largely increased capacity. The product consists of railway supplies exclusively. The Dexter Spring company manufactures the well-known "Dexter" spring, the "Fairy Fifth Wheel" for reach vehicles, and other supplies used in the carriage trade. W. W. Grier is sole proprietor of the works, which were erected in 1874. Agnew & Co.’s glassworks were placed in operation June 13, 1870. There are two postoffices, Hulton and Verona. The population in 1880 was 1,599.

There was no established place of worship in what is now Verona borough prior to 1857. The nearest regular preaching-points were the Associate Reformed churches of Hebron and Unity, the former six and the latter five miles distant. The Associate Reformed congregation of Logan’s Ferry was organized in the year mentioned. North of the Allegheny river and a mile and a half distant from the ferry was the old Associate Reformed congregation of Deer creek, but the river prevented many from attending service there. The various denominations represented were the Associate Reformed, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian. There was a boat called the Christian Friend, which was used to transport the devoutly inclined across the river, and clergymen of the different denominations occasionally conducted services in the schoolhouse.

The United Presbyterian Church was organized with eleven members in 1857, as the "Valley Church." The church-edifice was built in 1858-59. Pastors: Rev. H. K. Lusk (S. S.), 1858-61; R. H. Boyd, 1864-69; J. D. Irons, 1873-87. The Presbyterian Church was organized in February, 1871, and the church-edifice was built in 1876. Rev. John Kerr was the first pastor. St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church originated in the bequest of Adam Wirtz of certain property for an orphan asylum. A chapel was built thereon, the cornerstone being laid July 23, 1866. It was replaced by a more pretentious brick edifice in 1887. Rev. Joseph Suhr was the first pastor. There are also Methodist and Protestant Episcopal societies.

The following orders and societies were instituted on the respective dates : Iona Lodge, No. 141, K. of P., September 22, 1886; Bright Post, No. 360, O. A. R., July 18, 1883; Emerald Beneficial Association, No. 65, October 12, 1878; Loyal Orange Institute, No. 33, December 8, 1880; K. of M., Tent No. 40, April 27, 1887; John A. Emrick Lodge, No. 123, I. O. O. F., August 17, 1886.