 The Knox Bridge
Welcome to Malvern and Paoli, Pennsylvania!
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Check out Eastern Chester County!
The rolling hills of eastern Chester County are home to two of the more popular school districts in Pennsylvania - Great Valley (comprised of Malvern Borough, East Whiteland, Charlestown and Willistown townships) and T-E (includes Tredyffrin and Easttown townships). Check out these sites for up-to-date info about the students and their activities. For additional information on T-E and Great Valley and/or other schools in the area, check out the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) or email me and request a copy of the National School Report.
Living and/or working in the Great Valley area means enjoying a walking tour of historic Malvern, an 'in process' renaissance of a quaint Victorian town complete with antique shops, consignment boutiques, several popular restaurants, and gift shops to delight every age and taste - all located along King Street. Many of the shops are locally owned and all shopkeepers delight in remembering your name.
The Borough of Malvern is 1.2 square miles of primarily residential housing - much of it older and charming, some from the turn of the century and just a matter of newer (under fifteen years) homes. Malvern is home to a SEPTA commuter train station with ample parking, several Borough parks and recreation areas - including a gazebo for family picnics and band concerts. The Paoli Memorial Grounds -site of a Revolutionary War battle - are located in the southwest corner of the Borough and currently the residents of the Borough are working diligently to have this park annexed to Valley Forge National Park. This hallowed ground is used for the Borough's annual Memorial Day Parade, Fourth of July celebration, Fire Company Fair and open to the public for their enjoyment. The Police Department and the public library are housed in the original Malvern Elementary School which educated many of the local residents for over sixty years.
Surrounding the Borough and also referred to as Malvern are the townships of East Whiteland, Willistown and Charlestown. These three townships and the Borough are serviced by the Great Valley School District.
Moving a little further east in Chester County takes us to the established towns of Paoli (end of the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad), Berwyn (Home of Mad Anthony Wayne), Devon (site of the world renown Devon Horse Show and Country Fair) and Chesterbrook (a planned community - consisting of Corporate Center, homes and shopping center- adjacent to Valley Forge National Park). These towns are located in Tredyffrin and Easttown Townships and are served by T-E School District. As you consider this area, check out the activities of the Upper Main Line YMCA - this is a center for many social activities in the Upper Main Line area.
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Malvern is the site of the Paoli Massacre during the American Revolutionary War.
Named after The Malvern Hills, close to the Welsh border in England, Malvern was originally settled by Welsh Settlers in the 1600s. William Penn Sold them the land for 10 cents an acre, along with the rest of the land on the Welsh tract, or the Main Line. Malvern was incorporated as a borough in 1889, from portions of Willistown Township.
Malvern is the last stop of the original Main Line railroad into Philadelphia, PA. Today, the railroad has expanded several more stations west of Malvern, but none are associated with the Main Line, and Malvern is still considered the end of the Main Line.
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As of the census of 2000, there were 3,059 people, 1,361 households, and 793 families residing in the borough. The population density was 944.9/km² (2,444.6/mi²). There were 1,419 housing units at an average density of 438.3/km² (1,134.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.11% White, 3.82% African American, 0.20% Native American, 3.24% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 1,361 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the borough the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 37.0% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $62,308, and the median income for a family was $79,145. Males had a median income of $45,281 versus $39,129 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,477. About 0.9% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.
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Swiss Pines
Swiss Pines (19 acres) is an arboretum and Japanese garden located on Charlestown Road, Malvern, Pennsylvania. It is open several days a week in the warmer months; an admission fee is charged.
Swiss Pines was established by Arnold Bartschi (1903-1996), born in Switzerland and by the mid-1930s owner of the J. Edwards Shoe Company. In 1957 he purchased the 200 acres of the former Llewellyn estate, and during the next 30 years he developed the Swiss Pines site. It became a nonprofit foundation in 1960.
At present Swiss Pines displays a Japanese tea house and garden, a stone garden, statuary, streams, lake, stone lanterns, and bridges set among naturalistic plantings. Plant collections include the Glendale Azalea Garden (150 varieties); the herb garden (100 species), the groundcover garden (28 varieties), and the pinetum (over 200 types of conifers).
Malvern Preparatory School
Malvern Preparatory School, commonly referred to as Malvern Prep, is an independent Catholic middle and high school for boys located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. It was started and is still run by Augustinian friars. Malvern Prep is a member of the Inter-Academic League which also includes Episcopal Academy, Germantown Academy, Penn Charter, The Haverford School, and Chestnut Hill Academy.
History
Malvern Prep was founded as a preparatory academy on the campus of Villanova University in 1842 at the Belle-Aire farm, which the Augustinian order purchased in January 1842. The academy was named "St. Nicholas of Tolentine Academy" in 1901.
In 1922, due to the expansion of Villanova's college program and increasing distinctions being made between the attendees of the academy and the college, it was decided to remove the academy from Villanova's campus. The Rosengarten family of Malvern sold a 143 acre (579,000 m²) part of its old farm between Warren Avenue and Paoli Pike to the Augustinians, and the academy became Malvern Preparatory School. The property included the site of the Paoli Massacre, a Revolutionary War battlefield that Malvern Prep owned until 2000, when it was purchased by the federal government. [1] Only two original buildings were suitable for classes and are still preserved; these are the original farmhouse (Austin Hall) and another farm building (the Friary, or Alber's Hall). Three new buildings were built in 1924 to house the need for more space. The first graduating class of Malvern Prep, who were almost all boarders, graduated in 1927.
Malvern Prep reached 200 students in 1953 and went through another construction phase, erecting six new buildings in the next eight years. Over the next twenty years, the number of boarders decreased, eventually to zero; the school is now entirely a day school. Malvern Prep is currently undergoing another construction phase, the main feature of which is a large building (slated to be named the Rev. David Duffy Center) that will replace the current auditorium (Vasey Hall) and fine arts facilities in Tolentine Hall. The school has erected a new sports center (O'Neill Sports Center), dining hall (Stewart Hall, which is actually a previously existing building (Villanova Hall) that was recently renovated and renamed), and athletic fields in the last few years.
Immaculata University
Immaculata was founded as Villa Maria College, a women's college in 1920. It was the first Catholic college for women in the Philadelphia area. The name was changed to Immaculata College in 1929.
Founded by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata is part of the greater IHM community, which includes the neighboring House of Studies and an academy for girls. The University became coeducational in the fall of 2005.
The current location of Immaculata University is a tract of land in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on the Main Line near Malvern, purchased by the sisters in 1906. The origianal 198 acre plot has grown to 373 acres since that time.
The Immaculata Mighty Macs were the AIAW Division I Basketball Champions, the top national title, from 1972 to 1974, a pivotal time in the history of women's collegiate sports. The story of the Mighty Macs basketball team is currently being adapted into a movie, Our Lady of Victory, which is due out in theaters in 2007.
Great Valley Corporate Center
Great Valley Corporate Center is a mixed-use business development located off U.S. Route 202 between Valley Forge and West Chester, Pennsylvania. President Ronald Reagan visited the center in May 1985 and called it "the workplace of the future".
The campus' anchor tenants include Vanguard Group, Siemens, and Centocor, and the Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies, as well as two hotels, a training center, day care, a shopping center, and a health club. The complex is within three miles of the Pennsylvania Main Line communities of Malvern and Paoli (to the east) and the borough of Phoenixville (to the west).
The Great Valley Corporate Center is set in the Route 202 High-Tech Corridor and its 80 offices and R&D facilities employ more than 20,000 Philadelphia-area residents. The 650-acre community is the largest suburban project of the Philadelphia-based Liberty Property Trust.
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 Welcome to the Borough of Malvern. Malvern is a unique, small town village located in southeast Pennsylvania, approx. 25 miles west of Philadelphia. The Borough is 1.3 square miles and has a population of approximately 3,200. Malvern has experienced a significant amount of growth over the past few years and has gone through a tremendous amount of revitalization in both the residential and commercial districts. Funding for the revitalization has been a partnership between the Borough government and the County of Chester.
Malvern dates back to the Victorian era and is reflected in the Victorian facades in the business district, the Victorian street lamps and the brick pavers. Residents and businesses continue to be attracted to Malvern. Businesses are thriving!
The rail system runs alongside the town and makes several stops a day. Buses also run through town on a daily basis going to West Chester (the County Seat), Exton Square Mall and the King of Prussia Mall. Malvern is a pedestrian-friendly town and residents and shoppers alike can walk our streets to visit the many lovely antique and gift shops along King Street. We also boast a small shopping center, consignment shops, coffeeshops, restaurants and flower shops.
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Public Schools
Charlestown Elementary School
2060 Charlestown Rd
Malvern, PA 19355
General Wayne Elementary School
20 Devon Road
Malvern, PA 19355
Great Valley High School
225 North Phoenixville Pike
Malvern, PA 19355
Great Valley Middle School
255 North Phoenixville Pike
Malvern, PA 19355
Kathryn D. Markley Elementary School
354 Swedesford Rd
Malvern, PA 19355
Great Valley School District
Private Schools
Brandywine Childern's House
123 Great Valley Parkway
Malvern, PA 19355
Chesterbrook Academy
315 Technology Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
Christ Memorial Lutheran School
89 Line Road
Malvern, PA 19355
Malvern Preparatory School
418 S Warren Avenue
Malvern, PA 19355
St Patrick School
115 Channing Ave
Malvern, PA 19355
The Phelps School
583 Sugartown Road
Malvern, PA 19355
Villa Maria Academy H S
370 Old Lincoln Hwy
Malvern, PA 19355
School Information
Number of Schools: 5
Number of Students: 3,972
Number of Teachers: 265
Student/Teacher Ratio: 15.2:1
Number of Males: 2,040
Number of Females: 1,932
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Our Parks and Recreation Dept. is managed by the Parks and Recreation Committee. They keep a calendar of those persons interested in reserving the public parks, arrange for summertime entertainment in the park and decorate the gazebo and large tree for the Christmas holiday season. They're very creative and do an impressive job!
Samuel & M. Elizabeth Burke Park
Burke Park, just one block away from the Municipal Building is 1.4 acres. It is used mainly for festivals, concerts and general recreation. The Gazebo and beautifully landscaped area are perfect for outdoor events.
Theodore S.A. Rubino Memorial Park
Rubino Park is our newest space and it is 15,000 square feet of play area with a Gazebo entrance. It has been a wonderful addition to the corner of Broad Street and Old Lincoln Highway. The area is fenced in for child safety and provides a great place for picnic and small children recreation.
The Horace J. Quann Memorial Park
(formerly First Ave. Park)
Malvern has 3.0 acres of active parkland at this time. Horace J. Quann Memorial Park is 1.6 acres and is probably the most active. We have baseball, basketball and open space for other activities such as volleyball. It is located at First and Warren Ave, across from the Borough Hall.
Events for the Summer Starting July 1st and ending August 5th on Thursday evenings, Family movies in Burke Park after dark. Titles to be announced.
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Paoli is a census-designated place located in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is situated in portions of three townships: Easttown, Tredyffrin and Willistown. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 5,425. In 1777, the Paoli massacre occurred nearby in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Naming
One of the more significant inns in the Paoli area was the inn kept by Joshua Evans beginning in 1769 (whose father bought 500 acres (2 km²) from William Penn in 1719) near the current site of the Paoli Post Office. This inn was named in honor of General Pasquale Paoli, a Corsican, after he had received the 45th and final toast at a St. Patrick's Day celebration. The town of Paoli later grew around this inn.
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As of the census of 2000, there were 5,425 people, 2,361 households, and 1,437 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,047.3/km² (2,710.2/mi²). There were 2,468 housing units at an average density of 476.5/km² (1,233.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.93% White, 5.36% African American, 0.09% Native American, 2.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,361 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $55,800, and the median income for a family was $69,519. Males had a median income of $46,536 versus $34,702 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $30,570. 4.7% of the population and 3.6% of families were below the poverty line. 8.0% of those under the age of 18 and 4.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
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Air Venture Hot Air Balloon Flights
Offering hot air ballooning flights over beautiful Chester county Pennsylvania...flight certificates are available for sunrise or sunset. Enjoy a champagne toast and hors'oeuvres after viewing the earth from above. Splash and dash in a pond, or touch the tops of the trees in a unique form of flight.
Experience new heights with Air Ventures experienced pilots, professional crew and state of the art balloons! Individual, couple and group rates are available on one hour flights daily.
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Dining
With a resurgence of new restaurants, Paoli offers a variety of dining options. Cajun and jazz is offered at The Big Easy on Paoli Pike, just off Route 30. Fellini's Cafe, a BYOB, has a more upscale atmosphere; Le Saigon offers Vietnamese; Japanese, Chinese, Sushi, and Hibachi can be found at Wabi Sabi, the former Garnia Wa. Other newcomers include Basil with an exhaustive wine-by-the-glass menu, San Nicola next door with neuvo Italian cuisine, and the Paoli Diner, with a vast menu that even contains Greek specialties. The usual fast-food chains -- Subway, Einstein's Bagels, Wendy's, Bravo, Burger King, Boston Market-- peacefully co-exist with Our Deli, a community favorite whose location is staked out with a large, black bull in front. Pasta, sandwiches, and baked goods can be found at Elegance Bakery and the Queen of Hearts. Standard American fare can be found at TJ's Everyday and Casey's Dugout, famous for their crab cakes, just over the line in Malvern.
Paoli also offers several choices for coffee, in Dunkin' Donuts, Einstein's Bagels, Starbucks, and Wawa.
Transportation
Paoli was on the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike, which was later absorbed into the Lincoln Highway, and became U.S. 30 still later. In a nod to the old days, most locals still call the route "Lancaster Pike".
For generations, Paoli was the western terminus of Pennsylvania Railroad commuter trains coming from Philadelphia on the Main Line. The "Paoli Local" became iconic in the western suburbs. Long-distance trains would also stop at Paoli station, but with the decline of long-distance train travel, those became less frequent, although Amtrak continues to use the station.
Commuters traveling by rail within Southeastern Pennsylvania use the Paoli station, although most local trains serving Paoli now terminate in Malvern, one stop to the west. Septa's R5 commuter rail runs between Thorndale and Philadelphia both ways every 30 minutes during the week. For local college students and city-working suburbanites, the R5 is their main artery to school and work each day. Station-to-Station, a trip from Paoli to downtown Philadelphia on the R5 takes approximately 45 minutes. Local buses traverse Route 30 all up and down the Main Line, and Paoli Pike is the main artery for buses heading to West Chester.
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Paoli is located within 20 miles from the following natural parks:
- Bellevue State Park, DE
- Brandywine Creek State Park, DE
- Evansburg State Park, PA
- Fort Washington State Park, PA
- French Creek State Park, PA
- Independence National Historical Park, PA
- Marsh Creek State Park, PA
- Ridley Creek State Park, PA
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Adventures in or around Paoli:
Arnold's Go Kart Center
422 Business Center
Oaks, PA 19456
610.666.0600
Baby Boot Camp
215.588.7161
Children's Tea
Radnor Hotel
610.341.3191
Color Me Mine
109 W. Lancaster Ave.
Wayne, PA 19087
610.687.9777
Devon Bowling Lanes
300 Lancaster Ave.
Devon, PA 19333
610.688.1920
Devon Horse Show
Fly Fish Pennsylvania, LLC
610.566.6312
Lollipop Balloons, Inc.
P.O. Box 90
1638 Yellow Springs Rd.
Chester Springs, PA
610.827.1610
Northbrook Canoe
Company
610.793.2279
Philadelphia Rock Gym
422 Business Center
Oaks, PA 19456
610.666.7673
Planet Kids
500 Chesterbrook Blvd.
Wayne, PA 19087
610.296.8020
610.296.8027 (fax)
uBead2
105 East Lancaster Ave.
Wayne, PA 19087
610.688.8842
Upper Main Line
YMCA (UMLY)
1416 Berwyn-Paoli Rd.
Berwyn, PA 19312
Water World
610.935.1290
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In 1682, the counties of Chester, Philadelphia and Bucks were delineated within William Penn’s Providence of Pennsylvania. An 8.2 square mile area, a north/south diamond of rolling hills in the extreme eastern portion of Chester County became Easttown Township in 1704. Originally settled by Welsh Quakers, the township drew English, Scots, French, Swiss, Dutch and Swedish immigrants, most subscribing to the Episcopal, Baptist and Presbyterian faiths. The oldest surviving church, St. David’s Protestant Episcopal, was established in 1715. Easttown was a farming area, sending its products to Philadelphia, by the Revolution, second only to London among English cities.
Although the township was actively involved in the American Revolution, the Tarleton skirmish of 1777, following the Battle of Brandywine, was the most famous historical event. Americans under the command of General Anthony Wayne, an Easttown native, and led by Captain “Light Horse Harry” Lee repelled an attack by the British on Signal Hill near the intersection of Newtown and Sugartown Roads. The house was later named Tarleton for the British leader. Signal Hill itself acquired its name as the end of a signal line extending from Valley Forge.
Construction began on the Philadelphia-Lancaster Turnpike in 1790, the first paved highway in America. When completed it ran through Reeseville, or Cockletown, renamed Berwyn after the Berwyn Hills in Wales, by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1877. The railroad promoting the area as a summer vacation spot for the hot Philadelphians, selected Welsh names for many Main Line stations.
The coming of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad in 1834 changed life in this rural area. Those businesses and homes near the old roads and trails declined while new ones expanded along the railroad and the turnpike. Between 1862 and 1872 a feed, coal and lumber yard, a tin shop a blacksmith shop and a general store began operating. Postal service was added in 1862, using the railroad name when the change occurred. Even today, the name has only railroad and postal address meaning since government is in township form.
For many years after its founding in the early 1800’s, an inn known as The Leopard was the center of local life. A small community arose around it at the intersection of Darby-Paoli Road and Leopard Road. Another, Glassley, was laid out in the northeast corner of the township in the early 19th century. Although no relics of it remain, it is remembered as the site of the first Easttown school erected in 1807. The Devon Inn, built in 1881, was used to house Valley Forge Military Academy in 1928-29.
In the early 1900’s, Easttown was a thickly settled farming district that included some fine country estates of wealthy Philadelphians. Many of these affluent residents used the train on the “Main Line” to commute to their city businesses. In 1911, the railroad was electrified and Paoli became important as the end of the line from Philadelphia.
Natural limitations of steep slopes, flood plains, areas of poorly drained soil and heavy erosion slowed the development of Easttown over the years. However, the population increased dramatically from 16 male residents in 1715 to 9064 in 1980. The most growth, in housing development and in population, occurred during the 1950’s with a jump of 81%. The 1970’s brought more households despite a population decline of 500 people.
In the 1990’s, most residents are employed as managers or professionals outside the township. Most of the big estates have been sold, their properties divided into building lots for single family homes or townhouses. A variety of housing stock is available but rental units are rare. Businesses and office buildings border much of Lancaster Pike.
With bus and rail transportation and access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the Schuylkill Expressway and the 202 Interstate Easttown provides good job availability in Philadelphia and a broad suburban area. A variety of shopping, good health care, professional sporting events, plays and concerts and areas of historic interest are nearby. Civic, social and service groups abound. The Upper Main Line YMCA (UMLY) serves as a recreational and cultural center and claims the highest membership in the U.S. The Devon Horse show Fair Grounds hosts the world famous Devon Horse Show each year during the Memorial Day celebration.
Churches situated within the township are St. Norbert’s and St. Monica’s Roman Catholic parishes, the First Baptist Church of Berwyn, Berwyn United Methodist, Main Line Unitarian Church, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Church of the Brethren, and Trinity Presbyterian. In addition, the township contains one synagogue, Or-Shalom, and a portion of the Old St. David’s Church, which it shares with Radnor Township.
Nine regular TV and cable TV stations reach Easttown. Also Philadelphia area radio stations serve the community. News in print reaches Easttown residents daily in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the West Chester Daily Local and through daily delivery of the New York Times. Weekly newspapers available are the Upper Main Line edition of the Main Line Life and the Suburban and Wayne Times.
Township Facts
Year Organized:1704
Area:8.2 square miles
Population (2000): 10,270
Real Estate (2007): 3.091 mills
Public School District: Tredyffrin-Easttown
U.S. House of Representatives: Joseph A. Sestak, Jr.
State Senator: 26th District: Edwin B. Erickson
State Representative: 167th District: Duane Milne
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Frank Johnson Memorial Park
Frank Johnson Memorial Park, one of two parks in the township the park includes a open field, basket ball court, volleyball court and a tot-lot. There is also a pavilion with bathroom facilities. The park is located at 122 Bridge Ave, Berwyn.
Hilltop Park
Hilltop Park includes two soccer fields, a picnic area, walking trails and tot-lot. Hilltop Park is located at 580 Beaumont Rd across from the Beaumont School.
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As of the census of 2000, there were 10,270 people, 3,758 households, and 2,848 families residing in the township. The population density was 482.4/km² (1,248.8/mi²). There were 3,862 housing units at an average density of 181.4/km² (469.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.77% White, 2.51% African American, 0.11% Native American, 2.78% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.
There were 3,758 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.2% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $95,548, and the median income for a family was $109,103. Males had a median income of $80,341 versus $40,955 for females. The per capita income for the township was $51,028. About 0.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
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Tredyffrin History
Few townships in Pennsylvania are as rich in history as Tredyffrin Township, which is located at the easternmost edge of Chester County, Pennsylvania. In the center of the Township lies the rich and fertile Great Valley, beginning at Valley Forge and running west toward Coatesville. The earliest settlers were Welsh, and to them, the Township owes its name. Ten or Tre is the Welsh word for town or township, and Dyffrin means a wide cultivated valley; from these words comes the compound tre yr dyffrin, or Tredyffrin, meaning a township in a wide cultivated valley.
The Township had its beginning in 1682 when a group of Welsh Quakers went to William Penn in England and purchased, at a price of ten cents an acre, forty thousand acres of land in southeastern Pennsylvania. Penn promised the Quakers that here they could enjoy their customs and language in a little "barony" of their own. This land was originally known as the Welsh Tract and included within its boundaries parts of nine subsequent townships in four counties.
By 1707, Tredyffrin's population was large enough for it to be incorporated as a township. After they had cleared their land and established farms, the most pressing requirements for the early settlers became a mill to grind grain, a meetinghouse for their spiritual needs, and a market where they could sell produce. An example of meeting these needs was the construction of the Great Valley Mill, one of Tredyffrin's first mills. It was in operation by 1710, possibly even earlier, and was built by Thomas Jarman, a noted preacher and miller, on 300 acres of land by Valley Creek (it is now located on North Valley Road in Malvern.
Early Tredyffrin Churches
Churches were founded early. The Church of England's log cabin was built in 1700, Great Valley Presbyterian's original building in 1714, the Baptist Church of the Great Valley in 1711, and Valley Friend's meeting in 1781. The Old Eagle School was built in 1776 by German Lutherans who did not find it easy to live with the Welsh Quakers. They moved on, and the next Lutheran church in the Township was established in 1960 when the Township had undergone considerable change.
Tredyffrin & the Revolution
During the American Revolution, the British army was encamped along the south side of Swedesford Road between Howellville and New Centerville. Sir William Howe, British commander in chief, made his headquarters at the home of Samuel Jones on the corner of Contention Lane and Old State Road. Lord Cornwallis, who suceeded Howe as commander in chief, made is quarters at the Reese homestead on Cassatt Road.
A few months later, the American Army arrived in Tredyffrin for a winter encampment at Valley Forge from December 1777 to June 1778. Many of Washington's generals made their quarters in the homes of Tredyffrin farmers during that winter. Generals Lafeyette and DuPortail were in the homes of Samuel and John Havard. Generals Lee and Bradford stayed with David Havard in a house still standing in Chesterbrook. Lord Stirling lived with Reverend William Currie on Yellow Springs Road in what is now Valley Forge National Historic Park. Wayne's Quarters were in the home of his cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Walker on Walker Road, while General Pulaski was across the road with the Beaver family on Brookmead Farm. Many of these houses still stand and are listed historic sites in the Township.
Early Tredyffrin Villages
Today, in our world of well-traveled highways and busy shopping centers, it is difficult to imagine how isolated the early Township must have been. It was literally on the edge of the wilderness and communications with Philadelphia was difficult. The earliest village was Howellville which at one time boasted of two inns, blacksmith and wheelwright shops, a grist mill and several saw mills. Paoli's history as a village dates from the establishment of the railroad during the nineteenth century. Paoli is named for the 18th century Corisan hero Pasquale Paoli.
Roads and Railroads
Swedesford Road was one of the Township's earliest roads, pobably existing in 1718. The Philadelphia-Lancaster Turnpike (Lancaster Avenue), built between 1790 and 1800, was the first macadam roadway in the region and paved the way for a hearty tavern industry. The most famous tavern was The Paoli, named after Pasquale Paoli, and the most infamous was the second Blue Ball Inn, which still stands today. Stories of the Blue Ball Inn's owner, Prissy Robison, have told of her attempts to stop the railroad industry from ruining her business. The Turnpike was supplanted in 1832 by the Main Line of Public Works, a rail and canal system whose eastern end later formed the nucleus of the Pennyslvania Railroad. It went through Eagle (Strafford), Reeseville (Berwyn) and Paoli at grade level along much the same route as the present Main Line rail right of way.
Early Schools
Early schooling was taken care of at home or in churches. One of Tredyffrin's first schools was the Old Eagle School. The cost to attend was three cents a day or $2 a quarter. In 1836, Pennsylvania adopted the Public School System, and control of the schools went to the Tredyffrin Township School District in 1854. The Diamond Rock Octagonal School, built in 1818, was the first public school, "free" of any religious affiliation. It served the community until 1864 when two new public schools, the Walker School and Salem School were opened.
Tredyffrin's Growth
Until the Civil period, Tredyffrin Township was chiefly a prosperous agricultural community with a few small country villages clustered along the railroad which ran along its southern border. The census of 1857 shows a total population of 474. In 1940, there were only 6,250 people living in the Township. World War II ushered in a third main period of our history with new commercial and residential development. The population of Tredyffrin has increased to 29,062 (2000) census) and the Great Valley is now known as the high technology corridor.
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Welcome to Tredyffrin Township! Tredyffrin Township is a suburban community of Philadelphia with just over 29,000 residents. Tredyffrin Township serves as the gateway to Chester County and is convenient and accessible to shopping and major transportation crossroads: including Routes 202, 76, 30 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It also has many train stations along the Main Line. Tredyffrin includes the following postal regions: Wayne, Radnor, Valley Forge, Chesterbrook, Paoli, Berwyn, Devon, and Malvern.
Tredyffrin Township has a rich history, serving as headquarters for many Revolutionary War leaders during the Valley Forge Encampment. It also has a rich welsh heritage and railroad history. Tredyffrin has a well-known school system, ample parks and recreation, and well-trained emergency service responders.
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Tredyffrin Township has approximately 265 acres in 14 parks that are designated for recreational use.
Follow these links for more information regarding Field Usage & Permits, Programs and Activities, or Park Ordinance.
Cedar Hollow Park
Size: 24.1 acres
Facilities: one soccer field, one 60' baseball field, picnic area, volleyball area
Location: Cedar Hollow Road, across from Vanguard Complex
Directions: From the north and east take US 202 South to the PA 29 South, Malvern, exit. At the foot of the off ramp turn right onto Swedesford Rd. and go approximately 0.2 miles to a traffic light. Turn right onto PA 29 South and go approximately 0.3 miles to the 1st traffic light. Turn left onto Matthews Rd. and go approximately 1.3 miles until Matthews Rd makes a T intersection with Cedar Hollow Rd. (You will pass 84 Lumber and the Vanguard Group campus on your right) Cedar Hollow Park is directly across the T intersection.
Country Gate Park
6.2 acre park, located off Pugh, Peddrick and Country Gate Roads, that serves as a stream buffer and passive open space.
Directions: From the north and east take US 202 South to the PA 252 North, Devon, exit. At the traffic light at the foot of the off ramp turn left and go approximately 100 yards to the traffic light. Turn left onto Swedesford Rd. and go approximately 0.5 miles to the first traffic light. Turn right onto West Valley Rd. Take your next left onto Country Gate Road. Park entrance is at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Crabby Creek Park
48 acre park, located off Walnut Lane at Bodine Road in Berwyn, which serves as passive open space and a stream corridor buffer for Crabby Creek.
Directions: From the South and West take US 202 North and exit onto Chesterbrook. Turn right onto Chesterbrook then cross over Route 252 onto Cassatt Road. Follow up the hill to the right on Greene Road, then take a left onto Walnut Lane. The park will be on your left.
Friendship Park
Size: 8.1 acres
Facilities: two tennis courts, one basketball court, one volleyball court, totlot, picnic area
Location: Route 252, at intersection of Friendship Hill and Central Avenue, Paoli
Directions: From the north and east take US 202 South and exit at west Swedesford Road (252). Circle to the park entrance on the left just through the traffic light at Route 252 and E. Central Ave.
L.A.D Park
Size: 15.4 acres
Facilities: two tennis courts, one volleyball court, totlot, picnic area, two 60' baseball diamonds, one 90' baseball diamond
Location: 799 Tory Hollow Road, Berwyn, PA 19312
Directions: From the north and east take US 202 South and exit at Chesterbrook. Turn left onto Chesterbrook Blvd, which becomes Cassatt Road. Turn left onto Westwind Drive, then left onto Tory Hollow Road to find the park entrance.
Mazie B. Hall Park
Size: 2.3 acres
Facilities: one baseball field, two basketball court, Totlot, picnic area
Location: Upper Gulph Road at Mt. Pleasant Road
Directions: From the north and east take US 202 South to the PA 252 North, Devon, exit. At the traffic light at the foot of the off ramp turn left and go approximately 100 yards to the traffic light. Turn left onto Swedesford Rd. and go approximately 0.5 miles to the first traffic light. Turn right onto West Valley Rd. Go approximately 1.5 miles up a hill. Turn left onto Mount Pleasant to park entrance between the church and the water tower.
Radbill Park
Size: 18 acres
Facilities: Baseball Field
Location: 750 Bearhill Road
Directions: From Northeast, take 202 South to the Paoli exit. Follow Route 252 South, and you will see the park on the left hand side just passed the third traffic light.
Mill Road Park
Size: 55.9 acres
Facilities: two 60' baseball fields, three soccer fields, picnic area
Location: Mill Road, Chesterbrook
Directions: Take 202 South to the Chesterbrook exit. Make a right at the top of the exit ramp. Make a Left at the first light onto Duportail Road. Go about 1/4 mile to Mill Road. Make a R. on Mill Road. After crossing the bridge, make the immediate Left into Mill Road park.
Strafford Park and Library
Size: 13.6 acres
Facilities: totlot, 4 tennis courts, tennis wall/backboard, one 60' baseball/multipurpose field, one basketball/inline court
Location: Upper Gulph Road in Strafford
Directions: From the north and east take US 202 South to the PA 252 North, Devon, exit. At the traffic light at the foot of the off ramp turn left. and go approximately 100 yards to the traffic light. Turn left onto Swedesford Rd. and go approximately 0.5 miles to the first traffic light. Turn right onto West Valley Rd. Go approximately 1.5 miles up a hill. Turn left onto Upper Gulph Road and go through the stoplight. The park will be on your right about .5 mile.
Teegarden Park
Size: 22.2 acres
Facilities: Baseball/softball fields, multipurpose fields, roller hockey/tennis and sand volleyball courts, totlots, picnic area, pavilion
Location: Old State Road, Berwyn
Directions: From the north and east take US 202 South and exit at Valley Forge Road. Turn left at the light. Turn right onto Old State Road and the park entrance is straight ahead.
West Valley Park at the Woodlynde School
Size: 9.4 acres
Facilities: two baseball fields and a soccer field
Location: West Valley Road, Strafford
Directions: From the north and east take US 202 South to the PA 252 North, Devon, exit. At the traffic light at the foot of the off ramp turn left. and go approximately 100 yards to the traffic light. Turn left onto Swedesford Rd. and go approximately 0.5 miles to the first traffic light. Turn right onto West Valley Rd. Go approximately 1.5 miles up a hill. West Valley Park is immediately behind the Woodlynde School just before the intersection of West Valley and Upper Gulph Roads.
Westover Park
Size: 7.0 acres
Facilities: Future Park
Location: Old Lancaster and Conestoga Roads in Devon
History: Tredyffrin Township acquired Westover Park in August 2002. This Park is also known as the Fireworks Tract, so named because this was the site of the Pennsylvania Fireworks Display Company in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Apparently the factory was not kept up to the highest safety standards and was prone to accidents. In 1930, the plant experienced a debilitating accident that ended its operation permanently. It is said that an experimental gun powder allowed to sit next to a stove, caused a large explosion that killed several workers, shattered windows and blew out doors in homes as far as five miles away.
The repercussions of 40 thousand aerial bombs, 30 kegs (750 pounds) of gunpowder and other flammable chemicals were felt as far away as Philadelphia and Hammonton, New Jersey (it is said the blast even caused City Hall to sway perceptibly). Those who lived in the area at the time of the blast can still tell you where they were and what they were doing at the time of the blast. After this incident, the plant was never reopened and the property never built on. This early industrial site should have been part of the building and renovation booms of the latter part of the century, but it has lain vacant since the early 1930s.
This property will be developed into a small neighborhood park for the surrounding community.
Directions: From Route 30 East (Lancaster Avenue) turn left onto Old Lancaster Road. The park is on your right.
Click here for more information on the park plans.
Wilson Farm Park
Size: 90.0 acres
Facilities: Baseball/softball fields, multipurpose fields, tournament fields, roller hockey/basketball/ volleyball courts, totlots, putting green, picnic areas, etc.
Location: Lee Road, Chesterbrook
Directions: (From the north) Take 202 South and exit at Chesterbrook. Turn right onto Chesterbrook and right onto Lee Road. The park entrance is at the end of Lee Road
All Abilities Playground at Wilson Farm Park!
The All Abilities Playground can be used by children of all abilities. Please come and try the all abilities playground that was recently constructed at Wilson Farm Park next to the Tot Lot across from the Chesterbrook Shopping Center.
Woodbine Park
Size: 2.0 acres
Facilities: play area, totlot, picnic area, basketball and multipurpose courts
Location: Woodbine Avenue, Paoli (off West Central Avenue)
Directions: From the north and east take US 202 South to the PA 252 to the Paoli Exit (2nd 252 exit). Take 252 South 2.3 miles to E. Central Avenue. Turn Right onto E. Central Avenue and left onto North Valley at the T intersection. Turn right at the first right onto West Central Avenue and the park entrance will be on your right.
Open Space
Tredyffrin Township is committed to preserving open space in order to protect resources such as stream corridors, wetlands and steep slopes, and to provide places for passive recreational activities such as walking, nature hikes and other non-active recreational activities. Tredyffrin has almost 86 acres dedicated solely for open space and natural conservation purposes.
Croton Road Open Space
2.4 acre park, located on Croton Road, across from Knox Road, that serves as passive open space and a protective buffer for a tributary of Crow Creek.
Directions: From the South and West take US 202 North and exit onto Devon Park Drive. Turn right onto Devon Park Drive and left onto Old Eagle School Road. Stay on Old Eagle School Road until you reach Upper Gulph Road and turn left. Turn left onto Croton Road. The Park will be on your right.
DuPortail Road Open Space
3.2 acre park, located on DuPortail Road at West Swedesford Road in Berwyn, that serves as passive open space and a protective buffer for Crabby Creek.
Directions: From the north and east take US 202 South and exit onto Chesterbrook Boulevard. Turn right at the end of the off-ramp and at the first light turn left onto DuPortail Road. The open space will be on your left side past the Township building.
Glenn Circle Open Space
2.1 acre park, located off Glenn Circle in Valley Forge, which serves as passive open space and a stream corridor buffer for Trout Creek.
Directions: From the South and West take US 202 North and exit onto Devon Park Drive. Turn right onto Devon Park Drive and right again onto Old Eagle School Road. When Old Eagle School ends turn left onto Walker Road, then right onto Glenhardie Road. Turn right onto Richards Road, which becomes a cul-de-sac, Glenn Circle.
Richards Road Open Space
7.3 acre park, located on Richards Road in Valley Forge, which serves as passive open space and a stream corridor buffer for Trout Creek.
Directions: From the South and West take US 202 North and exit onto Devon Park Drive. Turn right onto Devon Park Drive and right again onto Old Eagle School Road. Turn left onto Walker Road, then right onto Glenhardie, right again onto Richards Road, then right again onto Gulph Road.
West Swedesford Road Open Space
5.72 acre park, located near the intersection for the Paoli/Swedesford Road for the southbound on-ramp to Route 202, DuPortail Road and West Swedesford Roadwhich serves as passive open space and a stream corridor buffer for Little Valley Creek.
Directions: From the South and West take US 202 North and take the Paoli Exit and turn left onto Swedesford Road. Entrance for the West Swedesford Road Open Space will be on your left.
Trails
The Township has trails in its Mill Road Park, Walnut Lane Park and is developing trails in its newest park at the Wilson Tract.
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Tredyffrin Easttown School District
738 Frist Ave
Berwyn, PA 19312
610-240-1900
Devon Prep
363 North Valley Forge Rd
Devon, PA 19333-1299
610-688-7337
Woodlynde School
445 Upper Gulph Rd
Strafford, PA 19087-5498
610-687-9660
Delaware Valley Friends School
19 E Central Ave
Paoli, PA 19301
610-640-4150
Valley Forge Military Academy
100 Eagle Rd
Wayne, PA 19087
610-989-1300
Heritage School
675 N Wayne Ave
Wayne, PA 19087
610-688-6342
Cabrini College
610 King of Prussia Rd
Radnor, PA 19087-3698
610-902-8100
Penn State, Great Valley
30 E Swedesford Rd
Malvern, PA 19355-1443
610-648-3200
Delaware County Community College, Chester County Campus
610-359-5000
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-1000
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Request my FREE Malvern and Paoli Relocation Package. It's packed full of useful and important information about the Malvern and Paoli, Pennsylvania area. Don't move here without it! Remember: I'll send it to you for free and without obligation. Just fill out the form and I will send it right out...
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When two or more individuals own property together, each one owning an equal interest and having equal rights in the property including the rights of survivorship, it is referred to as joint tenancy. Any of the joint tenants may transfer his or her interest in the property to another party, but this dissolves the joint tenancy and creates a tenants-in-common interest with respect to the other parties whose names are on the title.
The most important feature of joint tenancy is the right of survivorship. A joint tenant cannot will his or her interest in the property to others. The surviving joint tenant (or tenants) simply becomes the owner or owners of the property without going through the probate process, which can involve expensive legal fees and may take months to resolve.
It is important to get professional advice when you plan to buy and hold title to real estate with another person.
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What famous person said this? "Real Estate is the best investment in the world because it is the only thing they're not making anymore!"
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Will Rogers, who began his career as a rope-throwing cowboy and later became a famous stage and film star. |
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