Sugarloaf Township derives its name from the Sugarloaf Mountain. It was formed from Nescopeck Township in April 1809, which also included the Townships of Butler, Hazle, and Black Creek.

Settlement began between 1775 and 1780, although land grants had been given as early as 1769. The earliest grant was from Thomas and John Penn to John Foreman.

The Osterdock family located near the side of the tollhouse of the Lehigh and Susquehanna Turnpike a half mile above Conyngham. It is believed they were here at the time of the Sugarloaf Massacre in 1780, and if not, participated in the bloody battle. The Shaffer family was here at the same time and located a little further south along the side of the mountain.

As the community grew in population, the Sugarloaf Rifle Company was organized on May 6, 1822.

The council met Saturday, June 23, 1787 in Philadelphia to consider the survey for the Lehigh Susquehanna Turnpike, His Excellency Benjamin Franklin presiding. The first road of any importance was charted March 19, 1804. This was the Lehigh and Susquehanna Turnpike. Portions of the turnpike still exist as Main Street, Old Berwick Road and Route 93.

Sugarloaf population from the 2000 Census was 3,652 people. Sugarloaf Township today is a rural area that includes bedroom communities, farms, business, and Highacres Campus, a branch of Penn State University.

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