At one time, the Borough of Rainsburg was the site of two industries: a tannery and a creamery, but the borough now consists primarily of residences.
The borough was named for John Rains, a pioneer hunter. That is the information provided by the sign at the south end of town. No additional information is known about the man because no contemporary records exist about him. Where John Rains came from, when he was born, who his family was, where he resided in later life are questions we might ask about the man, but there are no answers to any of those questions. The available history books and public records don't even hazard a guess as to if he even resided anywhere in the vicinity of the town that bears his name. He might have lived in Maryland and simply hunted in the southern mountains of Pennsylvania.
Rainsburg was founded in the year 1800, and about that time James Donahoe is claimed to have opened a store, hotel and a tannery there. Donahoe moved across Tussey Mountain and took up residence in Southampton Township in 1815. Upon his departure, the tannery was operated by John Gump. It was then managed by his son, John A. Gump, who was also a saddler in the town. Beer's Atlas of 1877 showed the tannery and harness shop of J. A. G., at the southern end of the borough along the west side of Main Street. John Gump's residence stood opposite to the tannery and in front, or to the west of the Seminary.
Rainsburg was notable for being the host town for the Allegheny Male and Female Seminary. The school was under the control of the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was chartered on 26 March 1853.
Rainsburg was incorporated into a borough on 17 November 1856.
