Lima was known as "Wrangletown" for all the fights and Chelsea etc.

 

The above picture is from 1897 and is simply titled, " Near Gradyville"

WRANGLETOWN NOW LIMA, CHELSEA WAS CORNER KETCH

Research on the name origins of Lima, Chelsea, Primos and Gradyville was not too rewarding.  However, there is information showing that all of these county communities were formerly known by other names that were changed to the present titles for various reasons. 

Lima and Chelsea at one time were known by the descriptive names of Wrangletown and Corner Ketch respectively.  Primos was originally Oak Lane and Gradyville was Howellville.

            The name Wrangletown meant just what it said. Early in the nineteenth century “The Pine Apple”, an inn was operated by Philip Yarnall at the Middletown Township crossroad now the center of Lima.  The name originated around 1806 because of the frequent disputes that arose at the inn. 

It is believed that the name was dropped in 1836 when the present name, Lima, was adopted. Wrangletown was not the only name used.  This area was also referred to as Hamor’s Store.

            Information as to why Lima was chosen for the new name could not be located.  Only clue is the capital city of Peru of this name.  The South American capital is known as the “City of Kings”.  However, it seems unlikely that Delaware County’s Lima was named for the Peruvian City.

            Until a post office was established there, Chelsea, in northeastern Bethel Township, was picturesquely called Corner Ketch or Catch - Ketch being a corruption of the Dutch and German word for catch.  The name originated, according to Henry O. Ashmead, from the fact so many roads centered there.  Five corners are the result, and an early traveler could easily be confused as to the proper highway he should take. 

            However, when the post office was applied for, the name had to be changed because there was already a Corner Ketch in Chester County.  It was at this time that the name Chelsea was chosen.

 Records show that the earliest settlers of this area were Edward Bezer and Edward Brown.  In 1683 500 acres of land at this location were surveyed to them for their estates.

            Primos, the railroad station and community at the border line between Aldan borough and Upper Darby Township, was formerly known as Oak Lane.  The name was changed to Primos by the railroad because of other stations with names the same and similar to Oak Lane. 

The old Oak Lane station, just west of Clifton station, was erected in 1868 and served particularly persons visiting the Clifton Hall Insane Asylum

            Gradyville, in Edgemont Township, was at one time Howellville.  It was known by this name as late as 1870.  The name was changed when state senator John C. Grady built a summer home in Howellville. The town's name was changed for him.