Boalsburg is an American village on the National Historic Register and the birthplace of Memorial Day. The custom of decorating soldiers graves began here in October, 1854, by Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller, and Elizabeth Myers. The village was named for David Boal, who settled here in 1798. It was laid out in 1808, the Boalsburg tavern was built in 1819, the first church was erected in 1827, and the post office was established in 1920. It is also the home community of three United States ambassadors.