Llanerch
The William Penn land patents. The West Chester Road and Darby Road are laid out by 1687. Today's Llanerch was the land of Henry Lewis who bought the land from Lewis David's original 3,000 acres. Naylor's Run cuts through to the left. Karakung is to the right.
1775 The map seems a bit out of proportion. What will become Llanerch might fall just below "Haverford."
1810: The Mills Map lays out the property owners. Llanerch is at that intersection of the "West Chester Road" and the "Darby Road" (un-named.) The small hills of Llanerch are clearly marked.
The 1848 Ash Map. Samuel Davis is the principal land owner. Equally important is the estate of J.R. Eckfeldt, "Greenwood." The Eckfeldts also had "Richmond" to the left. Eckfeldt was the author of, "Cobbs Creek in the Days of the Old Powder Mills." 1917, quoted often on this site.
The Davis Family
Of note in the next three maps is the estate of the Davis Family. The Davis home still stands. Its date of construction is uncertain. There are no known earlier maps.
Of note in the next three maps is the estate of the Davis Family. The Davis home still stands. Its date of construction is uncertain. There are no known earlier maps.
The Morgan Davis Family, 1870 Census
Note "Annie Freeborn" a "domestic servant," and four "farm laborers, "one of which, Charles Lincoln is Black.
Note "Annie Freeborn" a "domestic servant," and four "farm laborers, "one of which, Charles Lincoln is Black.
1892
The area that would become Llanerch.
The area that would become Llanerch.
1908
For other localized maps consult the County website: http://delawarecountyhistory.com/haverfordtownship/HaverfordTownshipSanbornMaps.htm
Llanerch
The following is taken from LLANERCH ADVOCACY GROUP. If you are interested in the history of LLanerch this site is invaluable.
http://www.llanerchadvocacygroup.com/history-of-llanerch.html
http://www.llanerchadvocacygroup.com/history-of-llanerch.html
The name Llanerch was given to the property by the Albertson family and is the Welsh name for "top of a knoll". (Other sources note that "llan" is a place indicator meaning "church" or "parish.") By 1897, a small village of twelve “neat and tasteful dwellings of stone or brick” were built, designed by architects Kennedy and Hays, who both lived in Llanerch (Hotchkin, 1897)
Transportation fueled the development of Llanerch and the rest of Haverford Township. In 1848, the Philadelphia and West Chester Turnpike Co. built a plank toll road along West Chester Pike, which ran between West Philadelphia and Newtown Square. Along the route stood several toll houses, including one at Llanerch. The triangle of land where West Chester Pike and Darby Road cross became an important transportation junction in the late 19th century. The rail lines that met and crossed there transformed fields into suburban neighborhoods.
In 1895, there was a railroad rights battle between the Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Company led by John Shimer, and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Both companies knew that the growing western suburbs would create a gold mine for the company that first established market share throughout Delaware County. By 1895, each of these rail lines had already laid substantial track and were headed for a collision at Llanerch. The “Battle of Llanerch Crossing,” centered on who had the right of way at this junction, was fought through a labyrinth of legal contracts, injunctions, and appeals to the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court as well as at the junction itself with threats, fists and curses.
Shimer prevailed, and in 1898 built a trolley line from Philadelphia to West Chester, with a station in Llanerch. The Ardmore Trolley line, which ran down Darby Road from the Llanerch to Ardmore, was built in 1902. Eventually, the steam trolley ran on electricity and became the West Chester Traction Company. Along with the Ardmore Line, established in 1902, it came to be called the Red Arrow and served Delaware County for nearly 70 years.
Llanerch was the first planned community in Haverford Township. Since the trolleys provided good transportation to Philadelphia, workers became interested in moving out of the city and commuting to work. The title to Llanerch was acquired in 1901 by Charles S. Taylor from Mary Albertson. There was a symbiotic relationship between Taylor and Shimer, because the establishment of the trolley lines sold the houses, and as houses were built, the new residents of Llanerch would purchase trolley tickets.Ll
Transportation fueled the development of Llanerch and the rest of Haverford Township. In 1848, the Philadelphia and West Chester Turnpike Co. built a plank toll road along West Chester Pike, which ran between West Philadelphia and Newtown Square. Along the route stood several toll houses, including one at Llanerch. The triangle of land where West Chester Pike and Darby Road cross became an important transportation junction in the late 19th century. The rail lines that met and crossed there transformed fields into suburban neighborhoods.
In 1895, there was a railroad rights battle between the Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Company led by John Shimer, and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Both companies knew that the growing western suburbs would create a gold mine for the company that first established market share throughout Delaware County. By 1895, each of these rail lines had already laid substantial track and were headed for a collision at Llanerch. The “Battle of Llanerch Crossing,” centered on who had the right of way at this junction, was fought through a labyrinth of legal contracts, injunctions, and appeals to the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court as well as at the junction itself with threats, fists and curses.
Shimer prevailed, and in 1898 built a trolley line from Philadelphia to West Chester, with a station in Llanerch. The Ardmore Trolley line, which ran down Darby Road from the Llanerch to Ardmore, was built in 1902. Eventually, the steam trolley ran on electricity and became the West Chester Traction Company. Along with the Ardmore Line, established in 1902, it came to be called the Red Arrow and served Delaware County for nearly 70 years.
Llanerch was the first planned community in Haverford Township. Since the trolleys provided good transportation to Philadelphia, workers became interested in moving out of the city and commuting to work. The title to Llanerch was acquired in 1901 by Charles S. Taylor from Mary Albertson. There was a symbiotic relationship between Taylor and Shimer, because the establishment of the trolley lines sold the houses, and as houses were built, the new residents of Llanerch would purchase trolley tickets.Ll
April 22, 1905
March 23, 1907
1917: House for Sale
The Crossing War July 18, 1895
Bike Tour December 5, 1897
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Llanerch and Walnut Trees and German Guns
November 15, 1915
November 15, 1915
The Llanerch Fire Company
Llanerch Fire Company Originally a pharmacy and grocery store, this building on West Chester Pike is home to the Llanerch Fire Company, which was established in 1913. Our all-volunteer company is a source of community spirit and pride. (see image above.)
The Churches of Llanerch
St. Andrews Church
In 1897, a lot at the corner of Llandillo and Lansdowne was “given by the promoter of the neighborhood” to the newly formed St. Andrews Church, which had been meeting in a Llanerch home. The church building was designed by Frank A. Hays and was dedicated in 1898. The 800 pound bell was donated by Henry Delaplaine in memory of his parents, early members of the church. The church folded in 2013 and is currently being renovated as a private residence.
In 1897, a lot at the corner of Llandillo and Lansdowne was “given by the promoter of the neighborhood” to the newly formed St. Andrews Church, which had been meeting in a Llanerch home. The church building was designed by Frank A. Hays and was dedicated in 1898. The 800 pound bell was donated by Henry Delaplaine in memory of his parents, early members of the church. The church folded in 2013 and is currently being renovated as a private residence.
Llanerch Presbyterian Church
The Presbyterian Church of Llanerch, located at the corner of Lansdowne and East Park Roads grew out of a Bible Study group in the Dunwoody home on Bewley Road in 1909. By 1912 ground was broken for the original building. The Education Wing – Westminster Hall was constructed in 1953.
The Presbyterian Church of Llanerch, located at the corner of Lansdowne and East Park Roads grew out of a Bible Study group in the Dunwoody home on Bewley Road in 1909. By 1912 ground was broken for the original building. The Education Wing – Westminster Hall was constructed in 1953.
Llanerch Country Club
Llanerch Country Club was organized in 1919. the property captivated golfers as early as 1895 when a sand course was used by the Penn Athletic Club. John Reid, who had been working at the Atlantic City Country Club, was hired as the first professional, and helped establish a 9-hole routing. In June 1903 the course was expanded to 18 holes,In the early days the club was known by several names. First, as Delaware County Country Club from 1901-1904. In 1904, the Country Club became Delaware County Field Club until 1911 when it merged with the Athletic Club of Philadelphia, so the club could offer both a city and country location to its members. In 1914, it was renamed for a fourth time as Bon Air Country Club until a fire destroyed the clubhouse, Mr. Oats’ mansion, in 1918. Those events caused the club to be reorganized for a final time. Thomas Fitzgerald who had acquired the land, chartered Llanerch Country Club the following year on May 18, 1919. The Charter stated that Llanerch will be “a club for social enjoyment and the encouragement and perpetuation of the games of golf, cricket, tennis and athletic sports."
information excerpted from: https://www.llanerchcc.org/About-Us.aspx
Llanerch Country Club was organized in 1919. the property captivated golfers as early as 1895 when a sand course was used by the Penn Athletic Club. John Reid, who had been working at the Atlantic City Country Club, was hired as the first professional, and helped establish a 9-hole routing. In June 1903 the course was expanded to 18 holes,In the early days the club was known by several names. First, as Delaware County Country Club from 1901-1904. In 1904, the Country Club became Delaware County Field Club until 1911 when it merged with the Athletic Club of Philadelphia, so the club could offer both a city and country location to its members. In 1914, it was renamed for a fourth time as Bon Air Country Club until a fire destroyed the clubhouse, Mr. Oats’ mansion, in 1918. Those events caused the club to be reorganized for a final time. Thomas Fitzgerald who had acquired the land, chartered Llanerch Country Club the following year on May 18, 1919. The Charter stated that Llanerch will be “a club for social enjoyment and the encouragement and perpetuation of the games of golf, cricket, tennis and athletic sports."
information excerpted from: https://www.llanerchcc.org/About-Us.aspx
The Llanerch School
The original two-story four-room red brick school house in Llanerch was built in 1905 and then replaced in 1913 with the Llanerch School, which still stands at Darby and Llandillo Roads. The school has been purchased by a developer who will be turning it into luxury apartments and selling off part of the property for the construction of two single family homes.
From : http://www.llanerchadvocacygroup.com/history-of-llanerch.html
From : http://www.llanerchadvocacygroup.com/history-of-llanerch.html
The elegant and exceptional Palladian window that rises above the simple architrave entrance expresses a distinct manifestation of the American Colonial Revival style in architecture.
The LLanarch Bulldog
Suburban Dairies
Information needed
Elegant Homes of Llanerch
Of all the communities to be created in Haverford Township none have the wealth of elegant homes as does Llanerch.
Here are but a few.
Here are but a few.
For other localized maps consult the County website: http://delawarecountyhistory.com/haverfordtownship/HaverfordTownshipSanbornMaps.htm