Woodmere Park
Woodmere Park is a post World War II development, The present homes occupy the site of the former Brookline Country Club and Airport. The Country Club's ground date to the earliest allotments under William Penn's land distribution. William Howell, who built the first grist mill along Karakung Creek around 1685 was the original owner. The "dog-leg" road on the map is the present Mill Road.
Woodmere Park is bordered on the east side by what today is now known as Mill Road, (on the map the crooked road that cuts under the name of John Lewis) and on the south side by what is now called Darby Road ((n the map, the Haverford and Darby Road). These are two of the oldest roads in the state.
At the end of the 19th century the land is owned by a Mrs Pinketon and by George Dickinson. (the Leedom-Dickinson Mansion stands at the lower end of Mill Road. On the map, just to the left of "Geo" are the initials that indicate the first school house on the present Earlington Road. The school house is now a private residence.
The Historic Resources Survey of 1994 notes that the following about the country club.
Two other golf courses existed in the 1940s: the Brookline Country Club and the
Pennsylvania Railroad Golf Club. The latter was established in 1925 on 109 acres,
bounded by Earlington Road, Manoa Road, and City Line. The property was sold in 1943
to the Warner West Corporation, which developed Chatham Park. Brookline was sold off
and developed as a subdivision ten years later. Part of its land was also used for the
present-day Haverford Junior and Senior High Schools.
Aerial photographs indicate that there was also an airport on the grounds.
Two other golf courses existed in the 1940s: the Brookline Country Club and the
Pennsylvania Railroad Golf Club. The latter was established in 1925 on 109 acres,
bounded by Earlington Road, Manoa Road, and City Line. The property was sold in 1943
to the Warner West Corporation, which developed Chatham Park. Brookline was sold off
and developed as a subdivision ten years later. Part of its land was also used for the
present-day Haverford Junior and Senior High Schools.
Aerial photographs indicate that there was also an airport on the grounds.
A larger view of the same area shows what will become Woodmere Park. Haverford High School is in the lower half of the picture. Darby Road with the trolley tracks are below. Mill Road continues down to Karakung Creek. The Library is on the corner of Darby and Mill.
By 1929 the property is owned by the Thomas Conway Land Company. Maps do not indicate any construction at that time.
It must be noted, however, that there are two current houses that may date from the country club. These two houses are on the corner of Winton and face Mill Road.
It must be noted, however, that there are two current houses that may date from the country club. These two houses are on the corner of Winton and face Mill Road.
