 Opting to settle in what was then known as the Tulpehocken Valley (a name which meant "Land of Turtles" in the language of the area's Native American residents), they became citizens of Middle Town when their community was renamed as such in 1762 by John Womelsdorf.The town's name was chosen by Womelsdorf as he laid out the town because the town was located roughly halfway between Reading and Lebanon.The first house was built that same year (1762) by Jacob Seltzer.