Haverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

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, UK. 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
Seal
Location in Delaware County and the state of Pennsylvania.
Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
Coordinates: 39°59′00″N 75°17′59″W
Country United States of America
State Pennsylvania
CountyDelaware County, Pennsylvania
Settled1682
Area
 • Total9.95 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)
 • Total48,491
 • 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 as well as the census designated places of Bryn Mawr and Drexel Hill. The unincorporated community of Havertown lies wholly within Haverford Township. The township population as of the 2010 census was 48,491.

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

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. Early records indicate that the area was often called "Harford" a Welsh contraction of Haverford.[4] The earliest map of Penn's province dates from 1687. (Note: on the map to the right, the word "ye" is read as "the." The "y" is the old letter "thorn" which equals "th.")

"The City of Philadelphia two Miles in Length and one in Breadth.,Inset to,A Mapp of Ye Improved Part of Pennsylvania in America, Divided into Countyes, Townships and Lotts. Surveyed by Thomas Holme. Sold by George Willdey at the Great Toy, Spectacle, and Print Shop, at the corner of Ludgate Street, near St. Paul's, London. 1687."

The area was primarily agricultural until the second decade of the twentieth 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 meeting-house. Its original owner is unknown. By searching the records, however, a little light is thrown on the history of this, one of the first mills built in Pennsylvania. Thus, Fourth month (June) 12, 1700, Richard Hayes, attorney for William Howell, acknowledged a deed to David Lloyd, attorney for Rowland Powell, " for ninety -seven acres of land with a mill called Haverford Mill, and all other appurtenances and improvements thereunto belonging," the deed bearing date Third month 30th, 1700. This seems to indicate that William Howell, one of the first settlers of the township, was the original owner."[5] (The Indian name of Cobb's Creek was Karakung, as it is still called in that area.)

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.

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.[6]

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.

The Railroads and Haverford Township

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 fictitious postal address "Havertown." The first Welsh settlers called this area "Harford."

Golf Courses

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

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.

Lawrence Cabin
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.[7]

1797 Federal School
1797 Federal School

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.[8]

Pont Reading House
Pont Reading 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.[9]

Nitre Hall
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.[10] Nitre Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places.[11]

The Grange c. 1700

The Grange Estate

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 1700 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.

Harford Hall

Harford Hall, c. 1698

Harford Hall: Formerly, The Leedom-Dickinson Mansion. Neither Leedom nor Dickinson built the house. The earliest known occupant was Jonathan Miller, c. 1790. Harford Hall takes its name from the common Welsh name for "Haverford." From a 1917 account: “The Leedom Mansion stands a short distance from the mills on the bank to the right of the public road. It is an imposing, well-built home, the yard adorned with noble trees, aged box bushes and cheerful lowers.” Cobb's Creek in the Days of the Old Powder Mills, Eckfeldt, John W. 1917.

Geography

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 Pennsylvania Main Line and of the Welsh Tract. Waterways in Haverford Township include Cobbs Creek, Darby Creek, Naylors Run and Meadowbrook Run.

Adjacent municipalities
Allgates, November 2009

Climate

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
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
193021,362—
194027,59429.2%
195039,64143.7%
196054,01936.3%
197056,8735.3%
198052,365−7.9%
199049,848−4.8%
200048,498−2.7%
201048,4910.0%
2016 (est.)49,029[2]1.1%
[12]

As of Census 2010, the racial makeup of the township was 91.2% White, 2.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.2% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population .

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 48,498 people, 18,061 households, and 13,021 families residing in the township. The population density was 4,844.6 people per square mile (1,870.6/km2). There were 18,378 housing units at an average density of 1,835.8 per square mile (708.9/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 93.99% White, 2.12% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.76% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.89% of the population.

There were 18,061 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.17.

The age distribution was 24.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

According to a 2010 estimate, the median income for a household in the township was $87,283, and the median income for a family was $103,138. Males had a median income of $52,471 versus $38,852 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,749. About 2.0% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Most common first ancestries reported in Haverford township:[14]

  • Irish (30.6%)
  • Italian (22.0%)
  • German (9.4%)
  • English (6.1%)
  • United States or American (3.1%)
  • Russian (2.9%)
  • Polish (2.2%)

Neighborhoods

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
Coopertown
Haverford
Llanerch
Manoa
Merion Golf Manor
Merwood
Oakmont
Paddock Farms
Penfield
Pilgrim Gardens
Powder Mill
Richland
Westgate Hills
Wynnewood

Government and politics

Haverford Township is a first-class township with 9 commissioners elected by ward. Every year the Board of Commissioners elects a President and Vice President.

President: Gerry Hart

Vice President: Conor Quinn

  • 1st Ward Steve D'Emilio
  • 2nd Ward Mario Oliva
  • 3rd Ward Kevin McCloskey, Esquire
  • 4th Ward Daniel J. Siegel, Esquire
  • 5th Ward Andy Lewis
  • 6th Ward Larry Holmes, Esquire
  • 7th Ward Conor Quinn
  • 8th Ward Gerry Hart
  • 9th Ward William F. Wechsler

The township is part of the Pennsylvania 5th congressional district (represented by Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon), the 166th and the 163rd State House districts (represented by Rep. Greg Vitali) and Rep. Mike Zabel, respectively), and the 17th State Senate District (represented by Sen. Amanda Capeletti).

Haverford Township and Championship Golf

A total of 6 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, Ben Hogan's comeback from a horrific car accident in the 1950 US Open staged at Merion.

Dow Finsterwald finished ahead of Billy Casper and Sam Snead in 1958 at Llanerch, 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. The US Open returned to Merion in 2013, and was won by Justin Rose.

  • 1904 U.S. Women's Amateur (Merion Golf Club) Georgianna Bishop
  • 1909 U.S. Women's Amateur (Merion Golf Club) Dorothy Campbell
  • 1916 U.S. Amateur (Merion Golf Club) Chick Evans
  • 1924 U.S. Amateur (Merion Golf Club) Bobby Jones
  • 1926 U.S. Women's Amateur (Merion Golf Club) Helen Stetson
  • 1930 U.S. Amateur (Merion Golf Club) Bobby Jones
  • 1934 U.S. Open (Merion Golf Club) Olin Dutra
  • 1949 U.S. Women's Amateur (Merion Golf Club) Dorothy Porter
  • 1950 U.S. Open (Merion Golf Club) Ben Hogan
  • 1958 PGA Championship (Llanerch Country Club) Dow Finsterwald
  • 1966 U.S. Amateur (Merion Golf Club) Gary Cowan
  • 1971 U.S. Open (Merion Golf Club) Lee Trevino
  • 1981 U.S. Open (Merion Golf Club) David Graham
  • 1989 U.S. Amateur (Merion Golf Club) Chris Patton
  • 1998 U.S. Girls' Junior (Merion Golf Club) Leigh Anne Hardin
  • 2005 U.S. Amateur (Merion Golf Club) Edoardo Molinari
  • 2013 U.S. Open (Merion Golf Club) Justin Rose

Transportation

Highways

Rail stations

SEPTA's Norristown High Speed Line services the following stations within the township:

  • Township Line Rd Station
  • Penfield Station Manoa Rd
  • Beechwood Brookline Station
  • Wynnewood Rd Station
  • Ardmore Junction Station
  • Ardmore Av Station
  • Haverford Station

Education

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".[15] 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.

Haverford High School

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

Founders Hall, Haverford College

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

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.[16]

Notable current and former residents

Points of interest

See also

References
  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Aug 13, 2017.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  3. 323 Pennsylvania Code § 23.1-101 et seq. Archived 2011-05-27 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Browning, Charles Henry (1912). Welsh Settlement of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Campbell. pp. 146, 176, 264, 348, 349, 352, 353, 380, 507, 509, 575.
  5. Ashmead, Henry Graham (1914). History of Delaware County.
  6. Ashmeade, Henry Graham (1884). History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co. pp. 563–578. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2014-04-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. Ashmeade, Henry Graham (1884). History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co. p. 570. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "DVRPC > Site Search". Archived from the original on 2019-04-09. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  14. "Haverford township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania (PA) Detailed Profile".
  15. "Federal School – Haverford Township Historical Society".
  16. "Best 385 Colleges: 2020 Edition".
  17. http://technical.ly/philly/2013/05/14/garrett-brown-steadicam-inventors-hall-of-fam/
  18. "Sam Venuto". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  19. [[Marriage|http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/president/biography.html Archived 2011-02-08 at the Wayback Machine]]
  20. http://www.utexas.edu/news/2002/05/31/nr_yudof/
  21. http://www1.umn.edu/pres/05_hist_yudof.html
Preceded by
Upper Darby		 Bordering communities
of Philadelphia		 Succeeded by
Lower Merion
Montgomery County
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