The "Park" towns named by realtors

 

The 1896 Ridley Park Boro Hall at Ward and Cresswell Sts. When it was built in 1896 many local residents were upset that it was built as a colonial revival, when the rest of the town was all victorian homes.

REALTORS NAME PARKSIDE; RIDLEY AND PROSPECT PARK

First signs of organized real estate developments are evident in the naming and planning of three county boroughs – Parkside, Ridley Park and Prospect Park. 

All residential areas – the boroughs took their names from names given by real estate companies that planned the developments.  These names mark, perhaps the beginning of a trend now very much apparent throughout the county. 

            New home development names all have something in common.  The titles are given with commercial ulterior motives and are therefore pleasant and residential sounding.  A builder is not so concerned with historical nicknames for areas – he wants to sell houses.  Buyers in a strictly residential area will be attracted more readily to a name like Willowdale Estates than Jones’ Junction. 

             With this business idea probably in mind, the Parkside Real Estate Improvement Company named their home sites Parkside when they developed this area north of Chester.  The name Parkside was picked appropriately because the property was adjacent to Chester Park – on the side of the Park – Parkside.

            Likewise, the Ridley Park Building Association was formed on May 26, 1871 for the purpose of developing a residential area on land purchased in Ridley Township.  The name Ridley was obviously taken from the township (Ridley Township was named for early settler John Simcock’s home – Ridley – in Cheshire, England.)  The “Park” was added to indicate a residential development. 

          R. Morris Copeland drew up the original plans for Ridley Park.  The development’s location was perhaps most influenced by the improvement of the Pennsylvania, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad.  The new line brought the railroad through this area and like so many other county developments – Ridley Park grew up around the railroad station. 

Prospect Park was originally known as Moores.  This name is still evident – the Prospect Park railroad station is still called Moore.  There’s an interesting story behind this. 

J. L. Moore owned most of the land over which the railroad tracks are laid.  In deeding this land to the railroad on May 5, 1873, he specified that the station and the buildings built there should be known as Moore.  The railroad is still bound by this deed.

Prospect Park was planned in 1874 by John Cochran and Sons.  The borough was probably named for Prospect Hill – where the name is evidenced by the Prospect Hill Cemetery which has gravestones dated as early as 1811 and the Prospect Hill Baptist Church, built in 1832.

DCHPN Monthly E-Newsletter

Happy Earth Day and National Volunteer Month! Check out all these events happening this month Read the announcements below for important information

April Events Can't see this message? View in a browser DCHPN Monthly E-Newsletter Happy Earth Day and National Volunteer Month! Check out all these events happening this month Read the announcements below for important information   April Events  Please check the websites for updated information before attending and be safe!   * Indicates a free event. Some events require pre-registration and close when full. The list includes events in the surrounding areas as well. If you have an event you would like on this list on future         e-newsletters, please submit by the end of the month to dchpn_planning@yahoo.com. Human Toll: Accounting For Damage Wrought by Freeways in the Twin Cities Apr 20, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Online- registration required In this talk, Greg Donofrio shares how new research that centers the experiences of residents diplaced and affected by this history is contributing to the work of activists and community organizations leading the charge to remove and redesign freeways throughout the Twin Cities.   Learn More Sheep Shearing Apr 23 and 30, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Colonial PA Plantation, 3900 N Sandy Flash Dr, Newtown Square, PA 19073 Wool from our sheep makes ideal clothing for cold weather because it keeps us warm and dry! Come see our sheep get their annual haircuts and participate in many of the steps used to turn that wool into clothing.  Adults $12, Children $8. Member discount $2 off per ticket.    Learn More Southwark Rediscovered: A Walking Tour of Historic Queen Village Apr 24, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Gloria Dei (Old Swede's) Church, 916 S Swanson St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Participants will explore one of Phila.’s oldest districts on a 0.7-mile route from the Old Swedes’ churchyard to Headhouse Square. We will get a view of the area as it developed over a period of some 375 years from a settlement in the forest to a colonial town to the modern city. $15   Learn More Rum & Chocolate Tasting Apr 24, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Thunderbird Lodge- RVMHS, 41 Rose Valley Rd, Media, PA 19063 Sugarcane and cocoa are both grown in the hot humid climates around the equator thus making the final products, rum and chocolate, perfect compliments for one another.  So join us for a delightful jaunt to the warm Caribbean in April. Led by Ryan Berley and Peter Howell. $45 ($40 members)   Learn More *Dark History IV: Cults, Crimes and Other Catastrophes in Penn's Woods Apr 25, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Marple Public Library, 2599 Sproul Rd, Broomall, PA 19008 Join us for the fourth installment of the Dark History series.  This program features more true stories of bloodshed and misfortune in southeastern Pennsylvania. Warning: Graphic Content. Presented by Jennifer Green   Learn More *Dotty Brown: Boathouse Row Through Art & Architecture Apr 25, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Swarthmore Public Library, 121 Park Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081 A look at Boathouse Row through the artists and architects who made it an icon of Philadelphia, presented by Dotty Brown. Books will be available to purchase at the event. The presentation will be followed by a book signing.    Learn More Building Philadelphia Spring Speaker Series- Engineering the Metropolis: The Sellers Family and the Rise and Fall of Industrial Philadelphia Apr 26, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Zoom- registration required   What made Philadelphia the leading center of industrial America in the 19th century, and why did the region's manufacturing economy decline so precipitously in the 20th century? This talk will explore these questions through multiple generations of the Sellers family, a leading family of millers, surveyors, mechanics, engineers, and factory owners in the Delaware Valley. The Sellers' various firms, other factories