Foxburg grew between the Allegheny River and a steep hillside as an important rail outlet during the oil boom of the 1870's, and at its height had nearly 2,000 residents. After the boom subsided, its location on the Allegheny Valley and Pittsburgh & Western railroad lines allowed it to prosper while nearby oil towns declined. The town's prosperity was further strengthened by the Fox family, who supported civic improvements including the Foxburg Library, the Foxburg Country Club, and the former Foxburg Inn. Foxburg later declined along with the local rail industry, but today it again draws visitors with outdoor recreation on the Allegheny and Clarion rivers, the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail, the North Country National Scenic Trail, cultural events at Lincoln Hall, and golf on its historic 9-hole course.