Chester Pike was a toll road from the 1850's till June of 1921. The above picture was taken right after the state bought the road. Do you see the concrete sidewalks in the distance? Local women demanded from their town politicians concrete sidewalks to protect their long dresses. Note the 2 trolley lines on the north side of the pike. You are standing at Acres Dr. looking west toward Swarthmore Ave. Taylor Hospital is on the right behind the trees. Note: It is hard to imagine today, all the problems in Delaware Co. and elsewhere with the problems of good roads. As more residents began driving cars and not using horses they demanded better roadways. Drivers were extremely upset over road conditions and in a rainstorm cars were stuck all the time. Better road associations popped up everywhere. Politicians ran for office promising to get money for better roads. Governor William C. Sproul, the only governor ever elected from Delco, main campaign promise was better roads.
CHESTER TIMES – April 22, 1904
DELAWARE COUNTY FOR BETTER COUNTRY ROADS
Townships Make
Application to the State for Funds Under the Sproul Bill and the Local
Association Begins a Vigorous Campaign for the Cause – Sample Road of Half Mile
to be Built
The
Delaware County Road Drivers Association, which has been lying dormant for some
time, since the passage of the Sproul Bill, for the betterment of the roads of
the State, of which the Association was the instigator, held a meeting in the
Council Chamber in the Media Borough Hall last evening, with the object of
endeavoring to encourage the applications from the various supervisors of
Delaware county, for the betterment of their roads, all but a few having been
tardy in taking advantage of the Act.
George
E. Darlington, Esq., presided, and among those present were Representative
Thomas V. Cooper, George M. Lewis, T. Chalkley Palmer, Joseph H. Palmer, Andrew
Crooks, William Reed, Howard Mendenhall, Walter L. Rhodes, C. Fallon Lewis,
Benjamin F. Fields, Clement E. Allen, Secretary Dr. B. M. Underhill, Treasurer
Percival V. Cooper and others.
The
Association in order to encourage the various townships to interest, proposed
that a sample half mile of State road be built on the Providence Road, through
the Borough of Media from Nether Providence to Upper Providence, it being in
places sadly in need of repair. With
this object a committee was appointed composed of T. Chalkley Palmer, chairman;
Joseph H. Palmer, C. Fallon Lewis and Hon. Thomas V. Cooper, ex-officio to
confer with the State Road Commissioner and Borough Council, together with the
supervisors of the adjoining townships, the latter of whom can take advantage
of the ten per cent offered under the Act, for repairing the continuation of
the State Road, thus showing the contract.
DCHPN Monthly E-Newsletter |
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Check out all these events happening this month. Historic Sites are reopening! Read the announcements below for important information.
*Sunset Summer Series: Public Space & Collective Healing Aug 27, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Rail Park, 1300 Noble St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
From 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM join Nalaverse for a Reiki-infused sound healing meditation. Then, from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM the folks at CRAFTED are back with a conversation about gardening & urban farming. Registration required.
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Sacred Spaces and Storied Places- Walking Tour Aug 28, 10:00 AM
West Laurel Hill Cemetery Conservatory, 225 Belmont Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
This walking tour provides a wonderful overview of West Laurel Hill’s long and colorful history, including its architectural artistry, stunning trees and horticulture, and the stories of residents that encompass diverse and fascinating Philadelphia history. $6-12
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*History at Work Aug 28, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Newlin Grist Mill, 219 Cheyney Rd, Glen Mills, PA 19342
Get a closer look at trades of the eighteenth century in Newlin’s “History at Work” series. Members of Newlin Grist Mill’s staff, volunteers, and outside artisans will demonstrate their crafts and talk with visitors about how different trades and skills were integral to life in colonial Pennsylvania
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Back to School Science Day Aug 28, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Colonial PA Plantation, 3900 N Sandy Flash Dr, Newtown Square, PA 19073
Join us on the farm to conduct your own scientific experiments--dye a piece of fabric using plants from our garden; churn butter and discover how baking is like chemistry; create and use simple machines to perform chores, learn how to harness a horse, make cider and more! $6/10
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*Griot Tale Saturdays! @ Franklin Square Aug 28, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Franklin Square, 200 N 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
On Saturday, August 28th, you’re invited to Join Keepers of the Culture (KOTC) for this exciting, educational program! Keepers of the Culture, Inc. of Philadelphia is an educational, cultural art organization which seeks to perpetuate the African and African-American oral tradition.
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*SEPTA, Moving Forward Aug 30, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Online- registration required
Leslie Richards will be speaking about the reshaping of transportation as SEPTA has moved out of the pandemic mode, the accelerated use of technology and an update on the new wayfinding master plan.
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Delco Heritage Tourism If you are with a Delaware County Historical Organization, you may have received a survey by the Heritage Tourism Task Force about Heritage Tourism in Delaware County. This survey is for all organizations that host events and/or have sites to visit so that Visit Delco, PA can help promote your group, including free marketing materials and photos. Please fill it out as soon as you can. https://arcg.is/1Knzim is the link to the survey. Fill out one survey per site and/or organization (so if you are responsible for two sites, fill it out twice). Thanks! Open Houses starting! See the list below for current open houses this summer. If you have tours and open houses for your historic sites at any time in the next few months, please email dchpn_planning@yahoo.com to get on the next e-blast to promote your site. America 250 PA Delco- new name! The America 250 PA Delco Committee is forming to help celebrate America's 250th Birthday in 2026 with events, programs and celebrations from 2021 onwards. To be consistent with the state commission America250PA, we are now America250PADelco. Follow us on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Website What Kind of Preservationist Are You? Take the quiz to find out! https://www.riddle.com/showcase/172504/personality-test |
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