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Haverford Township, 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. 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
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 / 39.98333°N 75.29972°W / 39.98333; -75.29972
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 and 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 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 edit

17th century edit

 
An 1867 map of Haverford Township and its surrounding areas

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 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 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.)

18th century edit

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 edit

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.

20th century edit

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."

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 edit

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 edit

Lawrence Cabin edit

 
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+12-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]

Federal School edit

 
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.[8]

Pont Reading House edit

 
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.[9]

Nitre Hall edit

 
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]

Grange Estate edit

 
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 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 edit
 
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 edit

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 edit

 
Allgates, November 2009

Climate edit

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 edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19002,414
19103,98965.2%
19206,63166.2%
193021,362222.2%
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%
202050,4314.0%
[12][13]

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 [1][dead link].

As of the census[14] 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 inhabitants per square mile (1,870.5/km2). There were 18,378 housing units at an average density of 1,835.8 per square mile (708.8/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:[15]

  • 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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

 
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,[16] and Ben Hogan made his comeback from a horrific car accident in the 1950 US Open staged at Merion.[17]

Dow Finsterwald finished ahead of Billy Casper and Sam Snead in 1958 at Llanerch Country Club,[18] 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.[19] The US Open returned to Merion in 2013, and was won by Justin Rose.[20]

  • 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 edit

Roads and highways edit

 
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.[21]

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 edit

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.[22]

Education edit

Primary education edit

 
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".[23] 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 edit

 
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.[24]

Notable current and former residents edit

Points of interest edit

See also edit

References edit

  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. 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 June 7, 2017.
  7. ^ . Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  8. ^ . Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  9. ^ . Archived from the original on April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  10. ^ Ashmeade, Henry Graham (1884). History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co. p. 570. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  11. ^ . Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  12. ^ . Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  13. ^ "Census 2020".
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ "Haverford township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania (PA) Detailed Profile".
  16. ^ "Bobby Jones completed his Grand Slam at Merion Golf Club". augusta.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  17. ^ "Ben Hogan Golf's Greatest Comeback". Golf Monthly. April 5, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  18. ^ "Dow Finsterwald's triumph in 1958 PGA Championship bridged a new generation of major champions". www.pga.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  19. ^ Hochman, Stan. "Trevino's snake gag caught Nicklaus off guard". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  20. ^ "Rose lands maiden major at Merion". BBC Sport. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  21. ^ "Haverford Township map" (PDF). PennDOT. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  22. ^ SEPTA Official Transit & Street Map Suburban (PDF) (Map). SEPTA. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  23. ^ "Federal School – Haverford Township Historical Society".
  24. ^ "Best 385 Colleges: 2020 Edition".
  25. ^ http://technical.ly/philly/2013/05/14/garrett-brown-steadicam-inventors-hall-of-fam/
  26. ^ . databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  27. ^ [[Marriage|http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/president/biography.html 2011-02-08 at the Wayback Machine]]
  28. ^ [[per capita income|http://www.utexas.edu/news/2002/05/31/nr_yudof/ 2011-04-03 at the Wayback Machine]]
  29. ^ [[poverty line|http://www1.umn.edu/pres/05_hist_yudof.html 2004-09-03 at the Wayback Machine]]

External links edit

  • Haverford Township
  • Haverford Township Historical Society

haverford, township, pennsylvania, haverford, township, home, rule, municipality, township, delaware, county, pennsylvania, united, states, haverford, named, after, town, haverfordwest, wales, commuting, suburb, located, west, philadelphia, officially, known, . 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 PennsylvaniaHome rule municipalityFirst Class TownshipDarby Creek in Haverford TownshipSealLocation in Delaware County and the state of Pennsylvania Location of Pennsylvania in the United StatesCoordinates 39 59 00 N 75 17 59 W 39 98333 N 75 29972 W 39 98333 75 29972Country United States of AmericaState PennsylvaniaCountyDelaware County PennsylvaniaSettled1682Area 1 Total9 95 sq mi 25 76 km2 Land9 95 sq mi 25 76 km2 Water0 00 sq mi 0 00 km2 Elevation289 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 33144Websitewww wbr haverfordtownship wbr orgHaverford 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 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 Contents 1 History 1 1 17th century 1 2 18th century 1 3 19th century 1 4 20th century 2 Education 2 1 Historical sites 2 1 1 Lawrence Cabin 2 1 2 Federal School 2 1 3 Pont Reading House 2 1 4 Nitre Hall 2 1 5 Grange Estate 2 1 5 1 Harford Hall 3 Geography 3 1 Adjacent municipalities 3 2 Climate 4 Demographics 5 Neighborhoods 6 Government and politics 7 Golf 8 Transportation 8 1 Roads and highways 8 2 Public transportation 9 Education 9 1 Primary education 9 2 Haverford College 10 Notable current and former residents 11 Points of interest 12 See also 13 References 14 External linksHistory edit17th century edit nbsp An 1867 map of Haverford Township and its surrounding areasHaverford 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 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 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 18th century edit 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 edit 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 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 20th century edit 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 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 editThe 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 edit Lawrence Cabin edit nbsp Lawrence CabinDavid 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 Federal School edit Main article Federal School nbsp Federal School built in 1797The 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 edit nbsp 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 9 Nitre Hall edit nbsp Nitre Hall c 1800The 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 Grange Estate edit Main article Grange Estate nbsp Grange Estate c 1700The 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 edit nbsp Harford Hall c 1698Harford 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 editHaverford 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 edit nbsp Allgates November 2009Lower Merion Township Montgomery County northeast City of Philadelphia east Upper Darby Township Delaware County south Springfield Township Delaware County southwest Marple Township Delaware County west Radnor Township Delaware County northwestClimate edit 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 editHistorical population CensusPop Note 19002 414 19103 98965 2 19206 63166 2 193021 362222 2 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 202050 4314 0 12 13 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 1 dead link As of the census 14 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 inhabitants per square mile 1 870 5 km2 There were 18 378 housing units at an average density of 1 835 8 per square mile 708 8 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 15 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 editHaverford Township is divided into smaller census designated places and neighborhoods These reflect either historical designations or planned developments including AdeleAllgatesArdmoreBon AirBrooklineBryn MawrChathamCoopertownHaverfordLlanerchManoaMerion Golf ManorMerwoodOakmontPaddock FarmsPenfieldPilgrim GardensPowder MillRichlandWestgate HillsWynnewoodGovernment and politics editThe 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 edit nbsp A plaque on the 18th fairway at Merion East Golf Course commemorating Ben Hogan s famous shot from the 1950 U S OpenA 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 16 and Ben Hogan made his comeback from a horrific car accident in the 1950 US Open staged at Merion 17 Dow Finsterwald finished ahead of Billy Casper and Sam Snead in 1958 at Llanerch Country Club 18 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 19 The US Open returned to Merion in 2013 and was won by Justin Rose 20 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 RoseTransportation editRoads and highways edit nbsp 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 21 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 edit 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 22 Education editPrimary education edit Further information School District of Haverford Township nbsp Haverford High SchoolThe 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 23 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 theDistrict s Community Relations program received a National Achievement Award from the National School Public Relations Association Haverford College edit Main article Haverford College nbsp Founders Hall at Haverford CollegeHaverford 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 24 Notable current and former residents editGarrett Brown inventor of the Steadicam 25 Mark DiFelice former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers organization Jimmy Dykes third and second baseman for the Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago White Sox manager of the Chicago White Sox Philadelphia Athletics Baltimore Orioles Cincinnati Reds Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians Theodore Freeman NASA astronaut Murray Gerstenhaber professor mathematician and lawyer Randy Grossman former tight end for eight seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League four time Super Bowl champion Brendan Hansen Olympic swimmer and six time medalist former world record holder in the 100 meter and 200 meter breaststroke events William Hoeveler lawyer and judge Charles Humphreys Pennsylvania delegate to the Continental Congress Joshua Humphreys builder of the USS Constitution Old Ironsides Steve Joachim former professional football player for the New York Jets won the Maxwell Award in 1974 Ross Katz Academy Award nominated film producer Atwater Kent inventor and prominent radio manufacturer Billy King NBA executive current general manager of the Brooklyn Nets John LeClair NHL former player Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins Joe Lunardi ESPN s March Madness bracketologist Glen Macnow sports talk radio host Buddy Marucci 2008 United States Senior Men s Amateur Golf Champion U S Walker Cup captain 2007 and 2009 1995 U S Amateur runner up Clay Myers photographer animal welfare advocate Mitchel Resnick MIT professor and creator of programmable bricks the forerunner of LEGO Mindstorms Scratch software and co founder of Computer Clubhouse Pia Reyes November 1988 Playboy centerfold Louis Robertshaw lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps Jean Shiley high jumper 1932 Olympic gold medal winner Andy Talley head coach of Villanova University football one of the most successful FCS college football coaches in history Jack Thayer survivor of the Titanic sinking Michael Tollin film director and producer Jennifer Toof appeared on VH1 s Flavor of Love 2 Flavor of Love Girls Charm School and I Love Money Sam Venuto former American football running back in the National Football League 26 Tom Verica actor and director Charles Alan Wright 1927 2000 American constitutional lawyer widely considered to have been the foremost authority in the United States on constitutional law and federal procedure law professor University of Texas School of Law 1955 2000 University of Minnesota Law School 1950 1955 Jeff Yass stock and commodity market manager Mark G Yudof president University of California June 2008 present 27 former chancellor University of Texas system August 2002 to May 2008 28 former president University of Minnesota 1997 to 2002 29 Marian Hill an electronic duo consisting of Jeremy Lloyd and Samantha Gongol who made their debut in 2016 with an AirPods commercial with their hit single Down Points of interest editHaverford College Haverford College Arboretum The Haverford School Merion Golf Club Llanerch Country Club Old Haverford Friends Meetinghouse Grange EstateSee also edit nbsp Philadelphia portal nbsp Pennsylvania portalReferences edit 2016 U S Gazetteer Files United States Census Bureau Retrieved August 13 2017 Population and Housing Unit Estimates Retrieved June 9 2017 a b 323 Pennsylvania Code 23 1 101 et seq Archived 2011 05 27 at the Wayback Machine Browning Charles Henry 1912 Welsh Settlement of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Campbell pp 146 176 264 348 349 352 353 380 507 509 575 Ashmead Henry Graham 1914 History of Delaware County Ashmeade Henry Graham 1884 History of Delaware County Pennsylvania Philadelphia L H Everts amp Co pp 563 578 Retrieved June 7 2017 Lawrence Cabiin Archived from the original on April 8 2014 Retrieved April 8 2014 Federal School Archived from the original on April 8 2014 Retrieved April 8 2014 Pont Reading House Archived from the original on April 9 2014 Retrieved April 8 2014 Ashmeade Henry Graham 1884 History of Delaware County Pennsylvania Philadelphia L H Everts amp Co p 570 Retrieved June 7 2017 Nitre Hall Archived from the original on April 8 2014 Retrieved April 8 2014 DVRPC gt Site Search Archived from the original on April 9 2019 Retrieved January 31 2017 Census 2020 U S Census website United States Census Bureau Retrieved January 31 2008 Haverford township Delaware County Pennsylvania PA Detailed Profile Bobby Jones completed his Grand Slam at Merion Golf Club augusta com Retrieved August 6 2021 Ben Hogan Golf s Greatest Comeback Golf Monthly April 5 2018 Retrieved August 6 2021 Dow Finsterwald s triumph in 1958 PGA Championship bridged a new generation of major champions www pga com Retrieved August 6 2021 Hochman Stan Trevino s snake gag caught Nicklaus off guard www inquirer com Retrieved August 6 2021 Rose lands maiden major at Merion BBC Sport Retrieved August 6 2021 Haverford Township map PDF PennDOT Retrieved March 12 2023 SEPTA Official Transit amp Street Map Suburban PDF Map SEPTA Retrieved May 2 2016 Federal School Haverford Township Historical Society Best 385 Colleges 2020 Edition http technical ly philly 2013 05 14 garrett brown steadicam inventors hall of fam Sam Venuto databaseFootball com Archived from the original on November 4 2012 Retrieved October 14 2012 Marriage http www universityofcalifornia edu president biography html Archived 2011 02 08 at the Wayback Machine per capita income http www utexas edu news 2002 05 31 nr yudof Archived 2011 04 03 at the Wayback Machine poverty line http www1 umn edu pres 05 hist yudof html Archived 2004 09 03 at the Wayback Machine External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Haverford Township Delaware County Pennsylvania nbsp Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Haverford Township Haverford Township Haverford Township Historical SocietyPreceded byUpper Darby Bordering communitiesof Philadelphia Succeeded byLower MerionMontgomery County Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Haverford Township Pennsylvania amp oldid 1214114283, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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