"Spooning" ??? Not in our town!!!!! and tavern talks

The intersection of Hinckley Ave. and Sellers Ave. about 1930. The building in the background is the old Ridley Park Train Station.

 

NOTE: With the car becoming more popular 100 years ago for young couples and "dates" one local Delaware County police force cracked down.

 

"Spooning" aka "Making Out"

 

With World War One over, men and women wanted to celebrate and what better idea than to take a ride in dad's car in Delaware County. Not so fast!!

With the car being used for casual travel, one local police department cracked down heavy. Speeding fines ran ten to twelve dollars in 1919 but getting caught "spooning"?? Fines were over 100 dollars!! One man from Philadelphia was livid and told the Chester Times he and his wife had done nothing wrong. They had been sitting in their car, "just talking" when two policemen ran up and stopped them. Please understand depending on the department, police walked on foot and did not use cars for patrol till the late 1920's or early 30's. Local Police would stake out spooning spots and charge higher amounts for couples who were not married. Police told some couples if they went to court they would have to reveal who they were in the car with, so many couples just paid the fines without ever going to court. Couple caught kissing were charged with disorderly conduct which covers all forms of illegal behavior. After word began getting around on what this unnamed police department was doing, the department was sued in civil court by several people who wanted to expose "the system". These couples considered the police were just "holding them up" for the money. The chief and local magistrate who found everyone guilty and issued the fines soon found themselves in court. The Chester Times stated in one year this local department collected fines of over $15,000.00 dollars!! Remember most fines were under $7.00 dollars. After a few more articles and lawsuits it was once again safe to park and go "spooning" in Delaware County!!

 

Tavern Talks 2018 and "Chocolate and Courtship" The Chadds Ford Historical Society’s Tavern Talks will kick off its third season on Thursday, February 15th from 7-9 p.m. with "Chocolate and Courtship." If you are looking to bring dating back to the basics – 300-year-old basics – then you will not want to miss out!

Guests will have the opportunity to watch chocolate-making demonstrations by Mars’ AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate’s very own Chocolate Historian David Borghesani, receive courtship advice from General George Washington (portrayed by Carl Closs), learn about dating in the Colonial period from historical novel writer Susan Holloway Scott, delight in historical chocolate pairings, and more!

Tavern Talks is a monthly experience (not a lecture!) aimed exclusively for adults 21 and older that focuses on unexplored aspects of early American history and culture. Guests will experience history with hands-on activities, food and drink tastings, demonstrations, and more. Tavern Talks takes place at the Chadds Ford Historical Society’s Barns Brinton House, an historic 1714 tavern, located next to the Chaddsford Winery at 630 Baltimore Pike. Admission is $20 for non-members and $15 for members. Tickets must be purchased in advance over the phone, in person or online as space is limited. All attendees must be 21 and older. Be sure to mark your calendars for other Tavern Talks we will be doing throughout the year, including:

March 15 – Mind Your Pints & Quarts

April 12 – Law & Order May 17 – To Market, To Market

June 21 – Enlightened!

September 13 – Liberty or Death

October 11 – Fermented & Tormented

November 8 – Sugar & Spice Purchase a year subscription to Tavern Talks and save! A year’s worth of Tavern