History/Mystery this week and Glenolden Building boom!! Chester 1724 Court House Celebration

This week's History Mystery picture was an easy one. A number of people recognized the 5th Ave, picture and Welsh St. looking west. 

The above picture is of Logan Ave. just south of  Chester Pike about 1925. The 1920's was  a bi g time for home building in Delaware County. The Chester Pike area was building homes in every town.

CHESTER TIMES 

April 7, 1924  

GLENOLDEN IN MIDST OF BIG BOOM IN BUILDING 

Hundred Homes to be Erected in Borough This Year in Addition to Those Begun in 1923

          At least one hundred new houses will be erected in this borough during 1924, according to estimates made by borough officials, it was announced yesterday.  Last year there were two hundred homes either completed or gotten under way in the borough.

          On Rambler Road, Builder Milton L. Staley has thirty-seven homes of an operation of fifty completed.  Staley, it is understood, will open up the Glasgow tract at Primos Avenue and the pike and will also erect a number of homes on Woodland Avenue.

          On N. Scott Avenue, Joseph Dyson has six homes under way, and it is understood he will shortly start the erection of several additional dwellings.

          E. Erickson has four houses in course of erection on Scott Avenue, south of Glenolden Avenue, and is erecting a home for his own occupancy on Stewart Avenue, where he recently erected several dwellings.

          Charles Parker of Chester is putting up a new home on Cooke Avenue and it is understood will erect two o Llanwellyn Avenue.

          In Glen-Nor Heights section, Staley & Son have twenty new homes completed and eight more under way.

          In the Llanwellyn section about ten homes are in various stages of construction.  Builder Collison of Collingdale, will erect several homes at Parker and Ashland Avenues.

          Walker & Boekenkamp are building several homes in Glenolden Manor, five being in course of construction on Ridgeway Avenue and seven on Sharp Avenue.

          Beckett & Nichols are building on Cooke Avenue and on Sharp Avenue.

          The Auxiliary of Murray-Stuart Post, American Legion, realized handsomely from a bake given at the Legion hall, Saturday evening.  The bake was followed by a dance.

  PLEASE Support the Chester Historical Society        

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 3, 2024

Chester Historical Preservation Committee Hosts the

1824 Ball to Celebrate the 300th birthday of the

Chester Courthouse

The Chester Historical Preservation Committee is proud to announce that tickets are

on sale for the 1824 Ball to celebrate the 300th birthday of the historic Chester

Courthouse. Come dressed to impress in your best waistcoat or Colonial Period

gown, ala Bridgerton. Or, if you would rather leave the ruffles and wigs behind,

formal attire is also welcomed. Whichever you choose, you’re sure to have an

evening of historic fun, enjoying a delicious dinner, dancing and both a silent and live

auction. All the benefit the Chester Historical Preservation Committee and the good

works they do to help preserve the historical significance of Chester, PA.

WHEN: Sunday, May 5th, 5-9pm

WHERE: Lazaretto Ballroom, 99 Wanamaker Avenue, Essington, PA

Tickets are $65 per person or $120 per couple and can be purchased on our website

at chesterpreservation.org.

# # #

For more information, please contact the Chester Preservation Committee at

(610) 872-4497.

One "Broad St Methodist Church" plus One "Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Equals "Drexel Hill Methodist Church"

 This is yesterdays "History Mystery" from the Delco Times and my collection. I have already had numerous people recognize it as the 400 block of Sharp Ave. the cross street is Inskeep. Thanks for all the help!!

The original Drexel Hill Trolley Station from 1912. I would like to thank the secretary of the Drexel Hill Methodist Church. She sent me a picture I wanted to use instead of this Trolley Station picture. Unfortunately the church picture was in a program my computer could not open and I had no luck trying to change the format. I'm not real good with computers

CHESTER TIMES 

October 26, 1923 

CORNERSTONE LAYING PROGRAM 

Ceremony at Drexel Hill Will Be an Important Event

          An event of interest to the older residents of Delaware County, and to Drexel Hill residents in particular will take place on Sunday afternoon when the cornerstone of the Broad Street Memorial Methodist Episcopal church will be laid at the site of the new edifice, Burmont and Bliss Avenues, Drexel Hill.  This new church is the result of the merging of two churches, the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church of Garrettford, which is one of the oldest churches of Delaware County, possibly numbering seventy-five years, and the old South Broad Street Methodist Church of Philadelphia.

          The congregation of the old Mount Pleasant church reorganized in the spring of 1922 under the direction of W. A. Ferguson, District Superintendent, with J. Russell Craig, the pastor-in-charge.  Meanwhile the South Broad Street Church sold its property and sought a place to erect a new church as a memorial to the old one.  The directors in charge selected the site at the corner of Burmont and Bliss Avenues, Drexel Hill as ideal, and it was agreed that the two congregations should unite in the new parish, which should be a vital memorial to both the old churches, although bearing the name Broad Street Memorial Church.

          Dr. Henry Hess, pastor of the Broad Street Church was appointed pastor of the new church, to be assisted by Mr. Craig, of the Mount Pleasant Church.  At the March Conference of the Methodist church the new congregation was recognized as the Broad Street Memorial Church of Drexel Hill.

          During the summer Dr. Hess became very ill and died June 22, 1923, at his summer home in Ocean Grove, N. J. The new church was unfortunate in this loss, but Mr. Craig took up the work at once and carried it on very ably until his business necessitated his removal to Pittsburgh in the latter part of July.  During August the church was supplied with student pastors, and the first week in September Dr. Ravil Smith of Philadelphia was appointed to the charge to serve until March 1924.  Dr. Smith is prominent in ministerial circles and had retired from active service when he was called upon to take the Broad Street Memorial Church.

          The new building is to be of gray stone, constructed along modern lines of church architecture.  It is hoped that it will be ready for occupancy early in March.  The pipe organ, windows, furnishings, pews, hymnals and such articles will be secured by private donations and memorials.  The Ladies’ Aid of the old Mount Pleasant Church is furnishing the basement as a memorial to that church.

          The program for the laying of the cornerstone on Sunday includes both morning and afternoon service.  Rally Day exercises will be held at a joint service of the Sunday school and church at 10:15 o’clock in the morning, in the Mount Pleasant Chapel.  The program for this service includes the Morning Prayer by John Paul, Sr., a soprano solo by Miss Marguerite Coyle, “Our Rally Day” by the beginners and primary departments, a duet, “The Lord Is My Shepherd” by Mrs. Walter Butterworth and Miss KI. Benkert, the offertory by the Calvary M.E. Orchestra and the sermon by Dr. Smith, pastor of the Broad Street Memorial Church.

          Following immediately after these services members who wish to will bring box lunches and spend the noon hour at the social luncheon in the church basement.  At 1 o’clock the congregation will gather and proceed to the site of the new church.

          Bishop Joseph Berry will officiate at the cornerstone laying services, which will commence at 1:30 o’clock promptly.  Dr. G. Bickley Burns, D. D., of Philadelphia.  District Superintendent will assist Bishop Berry.  The Brass Quartette will play the prelude followed by the recitation of the ritual and a hymn by the congregation.  Dr. Burns will deliver the prayer and lead the responsive reading of Psalm CXXXII.  Reverend Smith, pastor of the new church, will read the Scripture Lesson from I Corinthians 3, 9-17.  Following this Bishop Berry will give the sermon.  The cornerstone will then be laid and the services will close with the Doxology and the Benediction.

          The officers of the District Broad Street Memorial Church are as follows:  Presiding Bishop, Bishop Joseph Berry; District Superintendent, Dr. G. Bickley Burns, D. D.; Minister Rev. Ravil Smith, D. D.; Exhorter, John Jaul, Sr.  The Board of Trustees are David McBurney, president; Dr. William H. Manning, Vice-president; Thomas Bednal, Treasurer; Emil Bohn, Secretary; Clifford Frey, Financial Secretary; John T. Scott, Jr., Charles Kerns, John Paul Sr., Robert Kendall and James McKee.

          The Board of Stewards includes Dr. Milton Percival, Clifford Frey, William Kinsbury, William Robinson, Isaac Worrell and D. D. Woodruft.

          Officers of the Sunday school are Emil Bohn, Superintendent; Walter Butterworth, Assistant Superintendent; Mrs. Emil Bohn, Superintendent of Beginners Department; A. M. Black, Secretary; Charles Harner, Treasurer.  Clifford Frey is president of the Ladies’ Aid Society; Mrs. James Thornton, president of the Ladies’ Mite Society; Miss Martha Perry, president of the Women’s Home Missionary Society.

          The Building Committee consists of Emil Bohn, Chairman, Harry McBurney, Secretary, Robert Kendal, John Scott, Jr., and Walter Redding.

          The new Broad Street Memorial M. E. Church of Drexel Hiss is doubtless launching on a long and extremely prosperous career.  The joint congregations under the direction of Dr. Smith have splendid interest and vitality in taking up the year’s work, and the rebirth of the new church, from the two old congregations has every promise of a great future.

Views on Daylight Savings Time, History Mystery and a Tricentennials Ball !!

My "History Mystery " picture this week is of Oak La. in Wayne aka Radnor Twp. Looking for the block, house numbers etc. Thanks Keith106@rcn.com

The above postcard is of the original Chester High School on W. 9th St. Students here liked "Daylight Saving Time".

NOTE: It is hard to imagine today but over 100 years ago when Day Light Savings was first introduced many people and cities were against it. Many cities etc. passed legislation supporting it while others passed legislation against it. Read the story below.

DAILY TIMES 

 March 7, 1924 

CITIZENS ASKED TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON DAYLIGHT SAVING

          Will daylight saving be observed in Chester this year? 

Under the provision of an ordinance that was not repealed despite the action taken by the State Legislature last year, the enactment of a law prohibiting the changing of official clocks from Standard Time, daylight saving will be observed here unless the desires of those favoring this observance of extra daylight period is overshadowed by the express opposition of citizens that would lead council to repeal the existing measure providing for daylight saving form the last Sunday of April to the last Sunday of September.

The suggestion has been made by Mayor S. E. Turner, with the view of getting the consensus of opinion of the citizens, that there be a survey.  In other words that the citizens express their views through the columns of the Times and in that way, by their vote, give the city officials a foundation on which to act.

Recently this subject was reviewed in Philadelphia and present indications are the same rules will govern the daylight question this year.  That being the  case, Philadelphia, New York, and others of the large eastern cities maintaining the observance, Chester will, of necessity, be compelled to adopt the same program.

Commenting on the subject yesterday, Mayor Turner said:  “I want to do what the people desire in the matter.  I believe Philadelphia, Wilmington and other cities intend to maintain the daylight-saving program this year, and it would be a hardship for Chester not to do something similar.  It is entirely a question as regards the wishes of the people of the community.  The state having passed a law prohibiting the changing of municipal and official clocks from Standard time, daylight saving has become purely a question of local requirement and so that the officials may act, in accord with the wants of the people, I would suggest that the Times open its columns to the citizens, that they can express whether or not they are in favor of daylight saving again this year.

“Chester has a large cosmopolitan population.  Many of its people favor daylight saving because it affords them additional time in the evenings to care for their gardens, lawns and properties while thousands of others are given opportunity to enjoy athletic sports following their day’s toil in office, and workshop.  It places the city officials in the position of wishing to satisfy all and, one way they can become cognizant of the general opinion is to have the citizens express their views through the columns of their daily local newspaper, the Chester Times.”

PLEASE support this fundraiser for the 1724 Courthouse in Chester!!
See Below

 

Media "History Mystery" and building in Clifton Heights!

 

This weeks "History Mystery" is above it is Baltimore Pike in Media Boro proper. Originally Baltimore Pike was Washington St. The McKnights who know the area quite well  believe it is the north side of Baltimore Pike looking from Church St. to Jackson St. They believe the second home is now the Rigby Funeral home.

The Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church at 360 N. Oak Ave. about 1924. Happy Easter to all my readers

CHESTER TIMES  

March 14, 1924 

 BUILDING PLANS AT CLIFTON HEIGHTS 

 Prospect Encouraging for Busy Season in That Section

          Further evidence that the Central Delaware county Building and Loan Association is one of the fastest growing organizations of the kind in the county was shown at the meeting of the association held in the First National Bank Wednesday evening.  Applications for loans aggregating $11,000 were made, not to mention the large amount of cash handed out.  Local residents have decided that the town is amply large enough for two building and loan associations and they are now taking advantage of the additional one.  That both building and loan associations will be a necessity here this summer was evidenced by the report of Howard M. Lutz, Esq., attorney for the Cherry Grove Realty Company, who said that more than one hundred new homes will be erected on the Cherry Grove tract this summer.

          There is also a report that a number of new bungalows are to be erected on the old Richardson tract adjoining the Gibson property on Springfield Avenue.  Several houses are already under construction on this site.

          In the east ward of the town, builders are again renewing their activities of last summer and fall and in the vicinity of Broadway Avenue, where numerous houses have already been erected, indications are that many more will go up this summer.

          Builder John Morgan is planning to erect eight houses on North Penn Street, above Baltimore Avenue.  The only obstacle in the way to immediate start of operation is the faulty drainage of the street.

 

The Other Leiper Home long forgotten and History Mystery

"History Mystery" is becoming quite popular!! Several people picked this out on Wednesday Night when it first appeared on line . The above picture is of Ashland Ave. one block north of Chester Pike at the intersection of Llewellyn Ave. This is the 100 block odd side.

A rare picture of the George Leiper home before it was destroyed. The home stood in the area of Swarthmorewood in Ridley Twp.  I didn't have the time to get a better location. Running late tonight

          CHESTER TIMES 

February 6, 1908  

THE LEIPER HOMESTEAD AND ITS ASSOCIATION 

Fine Old Property Near Avondale, This County, That is Now Obliterated

          One of the most interesting old homesteads in suburban Philadelphia has recently been destroyed, says the Philadelphia Ledger.  There were repeated efforts to save it of late, as it not only formed one of the most picturesque landmarks on the banks of the Crum, but it was also representative of one of the most important events in the early history of Pennsylvania – the opening of the first canal.  But it has been allowed to crumble into ruin, in spite of the efforts of “Daughters,” “Dames” and Historical Societies, as the march of improvement is rapidly reaching out in this vicinity of Avondale, and soon there will be little room for these beautiful old homesteads along Crum Creek.

          While the Thomas Leiper homestead Strathaven Hall – which is situated on the hill slope above the creek (and is still in a splendid state of preservation), is famous for its association with the earliest American railway, the George Gray Leiper mansion was equally noted to its connection with the construction of the first canal, for it was on the lawn of the latter estate, known as Lapidea, that the gay human cargo of the first canal boat held their celebration, and it was the owner of this old mansion who brought about the construction of the historic waterway.

          Thomas Leiper had make special efforts to bring this about as early as 1780, when he made a petition to the Pennsylvania Assembly requesting permission to build a canal for the transportation of stone from his Avondale quarries for building purposes in Philadelphia and vicinity.

          But it was not until 1828 that this enterprise (which the astute lawmakers of 1790 had discarded as an “idea visionary and ruinous””) was accomplished by a son of Thomas Leiper.  At the later data public opinion had changed old Legislatures had died, and when George Gray Leiper came upon the scene the Pennsylvania Assembly granted the request refused to his father, and work on the long-deferred waterway was begun.  William Strickland, one of the leading engineers of the time, and an enthusiast on the subject of canals, was in charge of the operation.  In 1829 it was completed and open for traffic.  The story has been repeatedly told of the “launching” of that first canal boat, which landed its sprightly cargo at Lapidea, the home of the originator.  There was a gala time in the valley of the Crum when that first boat, the William Strickland left the lock tender’s house and moved proudly away “bearing a brave burden of fair women and a brass band and decorated with flags and bunting.  Two “handsome Windflower colts” furnished the motive power for the craft, and as she moved up the canal a great company of gentlemen in carriages and sign and on horseback kept pace on the towpath.

Ridley Park girls are "smoking" !! the latest "History Mystery"

 The latest History Mystery postcard from about 1920. The picture at the bottom says Clifton Heights and something else but that has faded. Trolley tracks in Clifton ran on only two streets back then, Baltimore Pike and Springfield Rd. Looking for a location. Please email me at keith106@rcn.com

NOTE;  My "Mystery History" write up in the Delco Times is becoming popular. Check above for the latest. I have heard from no one but my website is down. I took it down several weeks ago. The website loses money every year and I have asked businesses, the county etc. to make a donation and have had no luck. Last year I had less than 10 donations even though I average 600 visitors a month. It makes no sense to me.

CHESTER TIMES 

 February 2, 1924 

RIDLEY PARK GASPS AS GIRLS SMOKE PIPES

          Ultra-modernism in the guise of pipe smoking for girls has made its appearance in the staid borough of Ridley Park.  One cold night this week, two fair damsels from Swarthmore made their way to the Ridley Park lake, and after adjusting skates one of the girls made the rest of the skater’s gasp with astonishment when from the depths of her handbag she produced an honest-to-goodness dainty little pipe and a bag containing a well-known brand of tobacco and proceeded to “light up.”  She appeared to enjoy her smoke.

          As interested spectator humorously remarked that it took three hundred years since Sir Walter Raleigh introduced pipe smoking in England when he was ducked with a pail of water for taking the weed back to his native land for the habit to reach American women.

Delco Real Estate 100 years ago and the latest History Mystery

 My latest History Mystery picture is below

This is the picture that was in the Delco Times yesterday. I did not know that the street, Runnymeade Ave. in Drexel Hill was renamed Shadeland Ave. This is the intersection of Huey Ave. and Shadeland Ave. looking toward Garrett Rd. This picture is from about 1920. Several people recognized the intersection, the first was John Mullen of Drexel Hill. Two other people also contacted me, Kathy Savage who lived on the street and Dennis McKnight.

 

NOTE; One Hundred years ago especially in the 1920's before the "Great Depression" the Times newspaper highlighted home builders and their latest building projects. They would do this several times a week and would do various section of the county for each article. The above article is from March 1924 and is for the eastern section of Delaware County.

   I do not know exactly where this postcard is. This is South Lansdowne Ave. about 1908. Note the one house on the right. This was taken during "Rush Hour".

LOL

CHESTER TIMES 

 March 15, 1924 

 PROSPECTS GOOD FOR REAL ESTATE 

Many New Homes to Be Erected in the Eastern Section of County

          With the announcement that two hundred new homes will be erected in the West Ward of Clifton Heights alone, the building proposition in the eastern end of the county should increase largely this year.

          The Cherry Grove Realty Company, operating on a large tract on South Springfield Avenue, will erect one hundred houses on their ground during the coming spring, summer and fall, according to an announcement this week by Howard M. Lutz, Esq., attorney for the company.

          `On North Sycamore Street the J. J. Redyke Company has a number of homes already under construction, and plans have been drawn for one hundred homes of the bungalow type to be erected this year.

          Builder John Morgan, who recently completed ten houses on Fairview Avenue, Clifton Heights, is planning to erect eight or ten more on North Penn Street.  The only obstacle in the way of immediate start of operations is the faulty drainage of the street, which causes the surface water to lay in a large puddle about seventy-five yards north of Baltimore Avenue.

          In the East ward of Clifton, in the vicinity of Broadway, where about thirty new homes were erected last year, builders are considering the erection of many more houses this year.

          The majority of these builders will build for their own personal use.  The large field formerly used as a baseball field, has been sold and divided into building lots.  With the exception of a few lots, the entire tract has been sold to private parties.

          Keeping step with the trend of home building is the erection of business places.  On Baltimore Avenue in Clifton, Frank Shee has under construction three large stores.  These are almost completed with the exception of the painting.

          On South Springfield Avenue, directly below Baltimore Avenue, stands a large building, three stories in height, owned by Samuel Bloomfield.  This will be encased with a new wall of brick and converted into a modern store and apartment house.

          In Lansdowne, despite the weather conditions of the winter months, building has been pushed along at a rapid rate.  On “Legion Terrace,” the picturesque stretch of ground on Wycombe Avenue, in the rear of the American Legion headquarters, a number of homes of the most modern type have gone up, and many of these are already occupied.

          In the northern section of the town, building is continuing with as much zest as ever.  Where large, vacant fields stood but a year ago, the sites are now adorned with attractive homes.  Even the fire department of Lansdowne realizing the rapidity with which the town has grown, has pointed out the necessity for better fire-fighting facilities in their plea for a new apparatus.

          Upper Darby continues to lead the county in building world.  The vast quantity of unimproved land has been a mecca for builders, and so rapid has been the work of erecting homes that more than 60 percent of Upper Darby’s vacant tracts of two years ago, have been improved and now accommodate houses.

          The Drexel Hill Realty Company, operating in the Aronimink section are not only constructing houses with great rapidity, but many lots have been sold to prospective home builders.

          Alexander A. Alessi, one of the county’s most active builders, who is operating just north of Bywood near Sixty-Ninth Street, has not lessened his force of workmen in the least during the winter, but is continuing along at his usual pace, and many new homes have been started since first of the present year.