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Haverford Township, Pennsylvania

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Haverford Township is a home rule municipality township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States.[3] Haverford is named after the town of Haverfordwest in Wales. It is a commuting suburb located due west of Philadelphia and is officially known as the Township of Haverford. Despite being under a home rule charter since 1977, it continues to operate under a Board of Commissioners divided into wards,[3] as do "First Class" townships that are still under the Pennsylvania Township Code. Haverford Township was founded in 1682 and incorporated in 1911.

Haverford Township
The Township of Haverford, Pennsylvania
Home rule municipality
First Class Township
Darby Creek in Haverford Township
Darby Creek in Haverford Township
Official seal of Haverford Township
Seal
Location in Delaware County and the state of Pennsylvania.
Location in Delaware County and the state of Pennsylvania.
Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
Coordinates: 39°59′00″N 75°17′59″W / 39.98333°N 75.29972°W / 39.98333; -75.29972
Country United States of America
State Pennsylvania
CountyDelaware County, Pennsylvania
Settled1682
Area
[1]
 • Total
9.95 sq mi (25.76 km2)
 • Land9.95 sq mi (25.76 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
289 ft (88 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
48,491
 • Estimate 
(2016)[2]
49,029
 • Density4,930.02/sq mi (1,903.46/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code42-045-33144
Websitewww.haverfordtownship.org

Haverford Township contains portions of the unincorporated communities of Haverford, Ardmore, and Wynnewood and the census designated places of Bryn Mawr and Drexel Hill. The unincorporated community of Havertown lies wholly within Haverford Township. Much of Haverford Township developed as part of the Philadelphia Main Line, growing alongside the Paoli/Thorndale Line, Norristown High Speed Line, and the former trolley routes, now SEPTA Route 103 and SEPTA Route 104.[4] The township population as of the 2020 census was 50,431, making it the 16th-most populous municipality in the state.

Haverford Township holds the distinction of having hosted two different men's major golf championships at two different golf clubs: Merion Golf Club hosted the 1934, 1950, 1971, 1981, and 2013 U.S. Open, and Llanerch Country Club hosted the 1958 PGA Championship.

Haverford, along with Upper Darby, Cheltenham, Lower Merion together form as the major inner ring suburbs of Philadelphia.

History

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17th century

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A section of the 1687 Thomas Holmes map of the Welsh Tract, focused on Haverford Township and its surrounding areas.[5]

Haverford Township was laid out by William Penn as part of the Welsh Tract or Barony. In 1681, a representative group of Welsh Quakers met with Penn to discuss their settlement having purchased forty thousand acres of land which today comprises all of Haverford, Radnor and Lower Merion Townships. "Companies of Adventurers" were formed, with the most prominent person in each taking out the patent on 5,000 acres of land as trustee. The first three families arrived in Haverford Township in 1682. Lewis David, Henry Lewis, and William Howell selected land along the southern border. The original settlers, led by John Roberts who had negotiated with William Penn in 1684 to constitute the Tract as a separate county whose local government would use the Welsh language never saw their dream realized. The earliest map of Penn's province dates from 1687.

The area was primarily agricultural until the second decade of the 20th century. The census returns of 1860 show the value of livestock as $62,485.00; animals slaughtered $11,255.00; 46,049 bushels of grain harvested and the value of orchard and garden produce, $4,090.00.

The two creeks that mark part of the township boundaries, Cobbs Creek and Darby Creek provided mill seats for the early settlers. "As early as the year 1688 a small grist-mill, known as the "Haverford Mill," was built on Cobb's Creek, near where that stream is crossed by the road leading past Haverford Meetinghouse.[6]

18th century

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Further information: Pennsylvania in the American Revolution

Daniel Humphreys purchased the property in 1703 and built a sawmill and fulling and dyeing mill. These were added to Dennis Kelly's holding in 1826 and became the Castle Hill Mills. This site is just north of Eagle Road on the west bank of Cobb's Creek.

On Darby Creek to the west, Richard Hayes Jr., David Morris and Samuel Lewis erected a gristmill, known as Haverford New Mill, in 1707. Later a sawmill was attached. This mill operated until 1904. Near the border with Marple Township, Humphrey Ellis operated a very early fulling mill. In 1807 Henry Lawrence built a sawmill on this site, and in 1832 his son, William, built a gristmill close by. The sawmill remained in the family ownership for more than 125 years, and was, until its demolition, the oldest industry extant in Haverford Township.

About 1800 grist and sawmills were built on the headwaters of Cobb's Creek by Peter Brown, and in 1810 Jonathan Miller built grist and sawmills at what is now the Juncture of Mill Road and Karakung Drive.

19th century

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See also: Pennsylvania in the American Civil War

Israel Whelen Sr., built the Nitre Hall Powder Mills on Cobb's Creek, which were in operation by 1810. During the American Revolution very little black powder was manufactured in this country, and it was needed for engineering and mining. Between 1810 and 1840, these mills were the second largest powder mills in the U.S., with production of 800,000 pounds in 1812. The mills ceased operations in 1840 and were sold to Dennis Kelly, who converted them for the manufacture of cotton and wooden goods.[7]

In 1814, Dennis Kelly borrowed capital to purchase a mill-seat on Cobb's Creek. He erected a small wooden factory known as Clinton Mills. This was a highly successful venture and, after enlarging the mill, he built Cedar Grove Mill further downstream. Dennis Kelly provided material for the U.S. government from 1817 until 1860 with contracts ranging from $1,800.00 to $41,370.00. Improved transportation opened the township to development.

20th century

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The transformation of Haverford Township from an agrarian spread of farms and mills began just after the turn of the 20th century. The railroads bought acres of land west of Cobb's Creek for their planned developments. Rail lines ran from 69th Street in Upper Darby outward to Ardmore, West Chester and Norristown. Along the rail lines the railroad built the first planned suburban communities Llanerch, 1897 and the most fully developed, Brookline, 1909. While Beechwood, Oakmont and Manoa date from the same period the major housing tracts do not appear until after World War II along with the development of Chatham Park. These communities are now included under the postal address "Havertown."

Several golf courses were developed. Merion Cricket Club Golf Association incorporated Clifton Hall an old farmhouse, in their clubhouse. They have 140 acres in the main course or East Course and 160 acres in the West Course. The Llanerch Country Club consists of 126 acres. The Pennsylvania Railroad Golf Club was established in 1925 on 109 acres bounded by Earlington Road, Manoa Road and City Line. This property was sold in 1943 to Warner West Corporation, which developed Chatham Park.

Education

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The first building erected for educational purposes was the Federal School, in 1797. During the 1800s four additional one-room schools and one parochial school were built. The latter part of the 19th century was the beginning of the present school system. After World War II, additions were made to existing schools, a new high school and three one-story elementary schools were built. Today there is one middle school, one senior high, five elementary schools, four parochial schools and four private schools.

Historical sites

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Lawrence Cabin

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Lawrence Cabin

David Lawrence was one of the early Welsh settlers in Haverford Township. He emigrated with his wife Elinor Ellis and her family in 1684, and took up part of his father-in-law's land grant. His son Henry Lawrence purchased 209 acres along Cobbs Creek in 1709. It has not been determined whether the log house predates this purchase, but a 2 1⁄2-story stone addition was built c. 1730, and later a clapboard summer kitchen was added. It became known as the Three Generation House, and remained in Lawrence family ownership until 1942.[8]

Federal School

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Main article: Federal School
 
Federal School, built in 1797

The first record of the purchase of land for a school in Haverford Township was October 29, 1797. Alexander Symington received 5 shillings for an irregularly shaped building lot of one quarter of an acre and three perches near the present day intersection of Darby and Coopertown Roads. Payment for the land was made by five trustees: Philip Sheaff, William Brook, Francis Lee, David Lyons and Benjamin Hayes Smith, "for the purpose of erecting a school thereon for the use of said Township of Haverford". The 1797 Federal School is on the National Register of Historic Places.[9]

Pont Reading House

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Pont Reading's earliest section, c. 1683

"Pont Reading House" is situated on the Easterly side of Haverford Road, Haverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, at the corner where the Ardmore Trolley passes en route between Brookline—Oakmont and Ardmore, and near Ardmore Junction Station of the Philadelphia and Western Railway. It was the home of Joshua Humphreys, the shipbuilder and naval architect known for constructing the original six frigates of the United States Navy. Here, this beautiful specimen of early American homes still stands, in an excellent state of preservation and repair, as it has since 1813, when the front section was built and added to the middle three-story section erected 1730–60, which in turn was then added to the rear and original two-story structure, built possibly as early as 1683. One of the log walls of this first and original section can still be seen as one enters a door on one of the sides thereof, All surrounded and shaded with some large trees, of the original forest, still surviving.[10]

Nitre Hall

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Nitre Hall, c. 1800

The Nitre Hall Powder Mills, which gave the valley its name, were built by Israel Whelen shortly after 1800. The young nation had growing needs for explosives, and the mills prospered with an output of 800,000 pounds during the War of 1812. Nitre Hall Mills produced a quality and quantity of black powder in the U.S. second only to the Dupont Mills on the Brandywine. After the powder mills closed in 1840, Dennis Kelly bought the property and converted the buildings to the manufacture of textiles.[11] Nitre Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places.[12]

Grange Estate

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Main article: Grange Estate
 
Grange Estate, c. 1700

The Grange Estate, also known as Maen-Coch and Clifton Hall, is a historic mansion in Havertown, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Built in 1750 and expanded several times through the 1850s, it was purchased by Haverford Township in 1974. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 as The Grange.

Geography

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Haverford Township is located in the northeast portion of Delaware County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 10.0 square miles (26 km2), all of it land. The township is part of the Philadelphia Main Line and the Welsh Tract. Waterways in Haverford Township include Cobbs Creek, Darby Creek, Naylors Run and Meadowbrook Run.

Adjacent municipalities

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Allgates, November 2009

Climate

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Haverford Township straddles the boundary between a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) and a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). The hardiness zone is 7a. The average monthly temperature in the Brookline/Oakmont vicinity ranges from 32.1 °F in January to 77.2 °F in July.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19002,414—
19103,98965.2%
19206,63166.2%
193021,362222.2%
194027,86329.2%
195039,64143.7%
196054,01936.3%
197056,8735.3%
198052,365−7.9%
199049,848−4.8%
200048,498−2.7%
201048,4910.0%
202050,4314.0%
[13][14]

As of Census 2020, the racial makeup of the township was 85.5% White, 3.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 5.0% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population [1][dead link‍].

As of the 2020 census,[15] there were 50,431 people, 17,923 households, and 16,489 households with children residing in the township. The population density was 4,844.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,870.5/km2). There were 18,600 housing units at an average density of 1,835.8 per square mile (708.8/km2).

There were 17,923 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.4% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. The average average family size was 3.2.[16]

The age distribution was 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males.[17]

According to the 2022 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the township was $124,875, and the median income for a family was $161,860. The per capita income for the township was $58,471.[18] About 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line.[19] 62.5% of residents aged 25 years and older had a Bachelor's degree or higher. [20]

Most common first ancestries reported in Haverford township:

  • Irish (34.2%)
  • Italian (20.3%)
  • German (15.9%)
  • English (10.9%)
  • Polish (5.2%)
  • French (1.5%)
  • Sub-Saharan African (0.6%)
  • Norwegian (0.5%)

Neighborhoods

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Haverford Township is divided into smaller census designated places and neighborhoods. These reflect either historical designations or planned developments, including:

Adele
Allgates
Ardmore
Bon Air
Brookline
Bryn Mawr
Chatham Village
Coopertown
Haverford
Llanerch
Manoa
Merion Golf Manor
Merwood
Oakmont
Paddock Farms
Penfield
Pilgrim Gardens
Powder Mill
Richland
Westgate Hills
Wynnewood

Government and politics

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The township is part of the Pennsylvania 5th congressional district, the 166th and the 163rd State House districts, and the 17th Pennsylvania State Senate District.

Golf

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A plaque on the 18th fairway at Merion East Golf Course commemorating Ben Hogan's famous shot from the 1950 U.S. Open

A total of six men's Major Championships and 11 men's and women's US Amateur Championships, have been staged within Haverford Township. Bobby Jones completed his grand slam at Merion in 1930,[21] and Ben Hogan made his comeback from a horrific car accident in the 1950 US Open staged at Merion.[22]

Dow Finsterwald finished ahead of Billy Casper and Sam Snead in 1958 at Llanerch Country Club,[23] the first PGA Championship held after the format was switched from match play to stroke play. Lee Trevino defeated Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff in 1971 at Merion, when he famously tossed a rubber snake at Nicklaus on the first tee on the day of the playoff.[24] The US Open returned to Merion in 2013, and was won by Justin Rose.[25]

Transportation

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Roads and highways

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I-476 Blue Route southbound in Haverford Township

As of 2018, there were 158.26 miles (254.69 km) of public roads in Haverford Township, of which 34.48 miles (55.49 km) were maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 123.78 miles (199.20 km) were maintained by the township.[26]

The most prominent highway passing through Haverford Township is the I-476 Blue Route, which follows a north-south alignment along the western edge of the township, though the nearest exits are in adjacent townships. U.S. Route 1 follows Township Line Road along a southwest-northeast alignment along the township's southeastern border. U.S. Route 30 follows Lancaster Avenue on a west-east alignment across the northern tip of the township. Pennsylvania Route 3 follows West Chester Pike along a northwest-southeast alignment through the southern portion of the township. Finally, Pennsylvania Route 320 briefly crosses the western tip of the township along Sproul Road.

Public transportation

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SEPTA's Norristown High Speed Line passes through Haverford Township along its route between 69th Street Transportation Center and Norristown Transportation Center and services the following stations within the township: Township Line Road, Penfield, Beechwood–Brookline, Wynnewood Road, Ardmore Junction, Ardmore Avenue, and Haverford. SEPTA provides Suburban Bus service to Haverford Township along routes 103, 104, 105, 106, 110, 112, 115, 120, 123, and 126, serving points of interest in the township and offering connections to 69th Street Transportation Center and other suburbs.[27]

Education

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Primary education

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Further information: School District of Haverford Township
 
Haverford High School

The first recorded purchase of land for educational purposes in Haverford Township was made on October 28, 1797, five shillings "for the purpose of erecting a school thereon for the use of said Township of Haverford".[28] A stone structure erected on a site along Darby Road at the crossroads Coopertown served as a school until 1872. Today, known as the Federal School, the building still stands and serves as a window to history for Haverford Township children. Every fourth-grade student spends a day at the Federal School learning what it was like to be a student in 1797.

Public school students living in Haverford Township attend schools in the School District of Haverford Township. The District currently has a student enrollment of approximately 5,475, and, residents number over 49,000. There are seven schools in the District: Chatham Park, Chestnutwold, Coopertown, Lynnewood, and Manoa elementary schools, with grades kindergarten through 5; Haverford Middle School, with grades 6–8; and Haverford High School, with grades 9-12.

Residents of Haverford Township benefit from a wide range of school supported services, including Adult Evening School; the Golden Age Program, the Senior Citizen Prom and the Tax-Aide Program for senior citizens; and Delaware County Community College courses for all residents. Haverford, which is a member of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the Main Line Chamber of Commerce, maintains partnerships with local universities and colleges, businesses, service organizations, realtors, community groups and senior citizen organizations. In 1989, the

District's Community Relations program received a "National Achievement Award" from the National School Public Relations Association.

Haverford College

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Main article: Haverford College
 
Founders Hall at Haverford College

Haverford College is located within Haverford Township with a portion partially within Lower Merion Township, was the first College founded by the Society of Friends in the United States in 1833, has several historic structures on its 225-acre property. [2] Of the nation's 357 "best" colleges, the Princeton Review ranks Haverford as #6 for Best Overall Undergraduate Experience. In addition, Haverford, unlike many of its peers, is located within easy travel of a large metropolitan center and the opportunities that Philadelphia offers.[29]

Notable current and former residents

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Points of interest

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  2. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  3. ^ a b 323 Pennsylvania Code § 23.1-101 et seq. Archived May 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "1961 - Property Atlas of the Main Line".
  5. ^ "A mapp of ye improved part of Pensilvania in America, divided into countyes, townships, and lotts". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  6. ^ Ashmead, Henry Graham (1914). History of Delaware County.
  7. ^ Ashmeade, Henry Graham (1884). History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co. pp. 563–578. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  8. ^ "Lawrence Cabiin". Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  9. ^ "Federal School". Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "Pont Reading House". Archived from the original on April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  11. ^ Ashmeade, Henry Graham (1884). History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co. p. 570. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  12. ^ "Nitre Hall". Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  13. ^ "DVRPC > Site Search". Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  14. ^ "Census 2020".
  15. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  16. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  17. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  18. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  19. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "Bobby Jones completed his Grand Slam at Merion Golf Club". augusta.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  22. ^ "Ben Hogan Golf's Greatest Comeback". Golf Monthly. April 5, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  23. ^ "Dow Finsterwald's triumph in 1958 PGA Championship bridged a new generation of major champions". www.pga.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  24. ^ Hochman, Stan. "Trevino's snake gag caught Nicklaus off guard". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  25. ^ "Rose lands maiden major at Merion". BBC Sport. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  26. ^ "Haverford Township map" (PDF). PennDOT. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  27. ^ SEPTA Official Transit & Street Map Suburban (PDF) (Map). SEPTA. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  28. ^ "Federal School – Haverford Township Historical Society".
  29. ^ "Best 385 Colleges: 2020 Edition".
  30. ^ http://technical.ly/philly/2013/05/14/garrett-brown-steadicam-inventors-hall-of-fam/
  31. ^ "Sam Venuto". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  32. ^ [[Marriage|http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/president/biography.html Archived February 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine]]
  33. ^ [[per capita income|http://www.utexas.edu/news/2002/05/31/nr_yudof/ Archived April 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine]]
  34. ^ [[poverty line|http://www1.umn.edu/pres/05_hist_yudof.html Archived September 3, 2004, at the Wayback Machine]]
  35. ^ Case, Kathy (July 9, 2022). "The Slinky: It Happened in Brookline" (PDF). Haverford Historical Society.
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