The names of Clifton and Yeadon Boros

I have posted this picture before and had no luck. Looking for a location. Some of these houses must still be standing. This is Clifton Heights.

Note: A number of towns in Delco where names for the houses of prominent residents. Some people had summer homes in Delaware County. It is hard to imagine today but when Delco first began to develop in the 1870's and 80's Philadelphia people had homes here and closed them in the winter and moved back in town.

CLIFTON HEIGHTS, YEADON ARE OLD HOMESTEAD NAMES

            Clifton Heights and Yeadon boroughs, records show, both took their names from homesteads of old and respected settlers in the community areas.

            Clifton Heights was at first known simply as Clifton.  Dr. George Smith in his history writes of “Clifton, a pleasant village at the intersection of the Turnpike (Baltimore Pike) and Springfield Road.”

            Clifton Hall, the residence of Henry Lewis, a Welsh Quaker, was one of the oldest homes in the borough.

            Later, when the Philadelphia and West Chester Railroad was established south of the town, a station was built and named Clifton, presumably after the Lewis residence.  Old notes at the Delaware County Historical Society attribute the borough name to these two circumstances – the name of the Lewis home and the railroad station’s name.

            The name Clifton Heights was adopted with the “Heights” doubtless added to describe the borough’s high location.  Clifton Heights, 60 to 240 feet above sea level, is the fourth highest borough in the county, lower only than Media, Chester Heights, and Rose Valley.

            The borough was well known in the old days for the private insane hospital operated under the direction of Dr. Robert A. Given.

            One of Yeadon’s earliest residents was William B. Bullock whose “beautiful homestead” was known as “Yeadon Manor.”  When the borough was chartered in 1893 it was named in deference to Bullock and his lovely home, according to historical records.  Yeadon was originally part of Darby Township.

            Yeadon Mills were the town’s earliest industry.  The mill buildings were erected in 1867 by McCrea and company of Philadelphia.  They were first known as the Fulton Mills and operated by John Brewster.  Denims and tickings were the mills’ main products.

            Early in May, 1870, the mill buildings were completely destroyed by fire.  Bullock purchased the mill ground after the fire.  He rebuilt the buildings and changed the name to Yeadon Mills.  This is early evidence of the name’s use.