In 1792, Peter McKinney moved to Butler County. A year or so later he settled in what is now Connoquenessing Borough. It was for this man that the settlement and resulting village were named McKinney's Tavern, Petersburg and Petersville. McKinney's Tavern proved to be a convenient stopping place for people from the lower part of the county when they found it necessary to journey to the county seat. Throughout the years, businesses opened and the economy thrived, with the oil boom occurring in the late 1800's. By the 1870's, there were over seventy producing oils wells in the community.

In 1871, the name of the village was officially changed from Petersville to Connoquenessing, a Native American Indian name meaning "A Long Way Straight". In 1898, Connoquenessing was incorporated as a Borough. Throughout its history, Connoquenessing Borough has been blessed with dedicated leaders who have helped it to grow and flourish, as well as diligent and productive citizens who have helped it to become what it is today.