NEW OXFORD,"The Little Town with the Beautiful Circle,"derived its name from an ox-head sign at an old inn near a creek ford. The word "New" was added to make a distinction between a similar town in Chester County.

New Oxford was laid out by Henry Kuhn in 1792 as the town of "Oxford Town" the lots at first were apportioned by lottery at $10.00 per ticket. It became a borough by Decree of Court on August 20, 1874. In 1864, Dr. M.D.G. Pfeiffer founded the New Oxford College and Medical Institute, more familiarly known as Dr. Pfeiffer's College, which flourished until after the Civil War.

The Borough of New Oxford is an attractive town built around a beautiful square and surrounded by well cultivated countryside and rolling pasture lands. There are many 18th and 19th Century homes which have been restored and are of historical significance.