The Other Leiper Home long forgotten and History Mystery

"History Mystery" is becoming quite popular!! Several people picked this out on Wednesday Night when it first appeared on line . The above picture is of Ashland Ave. one block north of Chester Pike at the intersection of Llewellyn Ave. This is the 100 block odd side.

A rare picture of the George Leiper home before it was destroyed. The home stood in the area of Swarthmorewood in Ridley Twp.  I didn't have the time to get a better location. Running late tonight

          CHESTER TIMES 

February 6, 1908  

THE LEIPER HOMESTEAD AND ITS ASSOCIATION 

Fine Old Property Near Avondale, This County, That is Now Obliterated

          One of the most interesting old homesteads in suburban Philadelphia has recently been destroyed, says the Philadelphia Ledger.  There were repeated efforts to save it of late, as it not only formed one of the most picturesque landmarks on the banks of the Crum, but it was also representative of one of the most important events in the early history of Pennsylvania – the opening of the first canal.  But it has been allowed to crumble into ruin, in spite of the efforts of “Daughters,” “Dames” and Historical Societies, as the march of improvement is rapidly reaching out in this vicinity of Avondale, and soon there will be little room for these beautiful old homesteads along Crum Creek.

          While the Thomas Leiper homestead Strathaven Hall – which is situated on the hill slope above the creek (and is still in a splendid state of preservation), is famous for its association with the earliest American railway, the George Gray Leiper mansion was equally noted to its connection with the construction of the first canal, for it was on the lawn of the latter estate, known as Lapidea, that the gay human cargo of the first canal boat held their celebration, and it was the owner of this old mansion who brought about the construction of the historic waterway.

          Thomas Leiper had make special efforts to bring this about as early as 1780, when he made a petition to the Pennsylvania Assembly requesting permission to build a canal for the transportation of stone from his Avondale quarries for building purposes in Philadelphia and vicinity.

          But it was not until 1828 that this enterprise (which the astute lawmakers of 1790 had discarded as an “idea visionary and ruinous””) was accomplished by a son of Thomas Leiper.  At the later data public opinion had changed old Legislatures had died, and when George Gray Leiper came upon the scene the Pennsylvania Assembly granted the request refused to his father, and work on the long-deferred waterway was begun.  William Strickland, one of the leading engineers of the time, and an enthusiast on the subject of canals, was in charge of the operation.  In 1829 it was completed and open for traffic.  The story has been repeatedly told of the “launching” of that first canal boat, which landed its sprightly cargo at Lapidea, the home of the originator.  There was a gala time in the valley of the Crum when that first boat, the William Strickland left the lock tender’s house and moved proudly away “bearing a brave burden of fair women and a brass band and decorated with flags and bunting.  Two “handsome Windflower colts” furnished the motive power for the craft, and as she moved up the canal a great company of gentlemen in carriages and sign and on horseback kept pace on the towpath.