Originally a Lenape hunting grounds, the area was settled and tamed by German Reformed and Lutheran colonizers in late 1770s. They initially called the village Yellow Springs due to the unique appearance of a spring pond that had a yellowish hue, which was likely due to iron in the water. After the Civil War, the town was renamed to Chester Springs. Local lore says this was to avoid any negative association with the iron-laden waters, which people knew by that time was toxic. For much of 19th century, though, the village was used as a spa restorative retreat for the wealthy socialites of Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, DC.