USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Collingdale > Borough of Collingdale 75th anniversary, 1891-1966 > Part 1
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F
CO
BOROUGH
INC RPORATED
DALE
DEC. 23,
1891
DEL.
CO. PA.
BOROUGH OF COLLINGDALE 75th ANNIVERSARY Diamond Jubilee 1891-1966
Congratulations and Best Wishes to Collingdale on its Seventy-fifth Anniversary.
As Mayor of Collingdale, I consider it an honor to fill this office and a privilege to celebrate this historic Diamond Jubilee with you.
I look forward to taking part in the continued progress and welfare of this outstanding community in years to come.
UGH OF INCORPO
COLLING
RPORATED
INGDA
. DEC. 23, 1891 DEL CO. P.A.
Wewin E. Juinany
CHARTER MEMBER: COLLINGDALE BUSINESSMEN'S ASSOCIATION
BOROUGH OF COLLINGDALE 75TH ANNIVERSARY 1891-1966
COLLINGDALE
Collingdale is Seventy-five! Seventy-five! You say. There are those who remember when she was five And others when only a day.
She was named for Collins, a Railroad man And herself a wooded Dale. A pretty name that legend began And now we're used to the tale.
She grew, she expanded, she built and she saw, That she needed schools and churches and law;
So the Dale filled with houses and more people came A thousand for each letter that's in her name.
She'll grow some more in wisdom and age As will the people here. For God and History will turn each page. While Collingdale has many a year!
DOROTHY DEANEY ROBERTS
PETITION ESTABLISHING THE BOROUGH OF COLLINGDALE
To the Honorable the Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace of the County of Delaware.
The petition of the undersigned freeholders re- siding in the village of Collingdale, in the County of Delaware respectfully represents:
1. That the incorporated Borough of Darby in the said County of Delaware, includes within the limits two or more separate villages one of which is the said Village of Collingdale.
2. That the said Village of Collingdale con- tains a collection of houses collocated after a re- gular plan in regard to streets and lanes and that the petitioners are freeholders residing within the limits thereof, hereinafter set forth, and are de- sirous that the said village should be set off and divided from the said borough of Darby and erec- ted and incorporated into a new and separate Bor- ough under the name of the Borough of Colling- dale according to the following boundaries.
Beginning at a stone at North west Corner of the Borough of Darby, thence South Twenty Se- ven degrees (27°) East Four Thousand Eighty Five Feet (S 27° E 4085 Ft.) along the line di- viding Darby Borough and Darby Township to its point of intersection with the centre line of the Baltimore and Philadelphia Rail Road, thence along the centre line of the said Rail Road, by its several courses in an easterly direction Three Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty Feet (3420- Ft) to the East side of the Darby and Chester Turnpike, Fifteen Degrees, Twenty Four Minutes (15°, 24') East One Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Feet (1150)Ft. and North Fifty Eight De- grees, Eighteen Minutes East (58° 18' E) Four hundred and twenty five feet (425 Ft) to the centre of Darby Creek, thence up the said Creek sixty feet (60 Ft) thence South fifty-eight degrees eighteen minutes, west fifty feet to the North line of the Springfield Road, thence by the said three degrees and forty five minutes, west two hundred and forty feet, north seventy nine degrees and forty minutes west (79º 40' W.) nine hundred and sixty feet (960) ft. North fifty eight degrees, two minutes west (58° 2' W.) two hundred (200- Ft.) North forty Four degrees, forty four minutes west (44° 44' W.) two thousand six hundred and
fifteen feet to the intersection of the North West Borough Line of said Darby sixty three degrees fifteen minutes west (63º 15' W) Two thousand seven hundred' and twenty five feet (2725 Ft) to the place of beginning; A plan of which is hereto annexed.
Wherefore your petitioners showing that they are a majority of all the freeholders residing within the limits of the said village, pray that your Honor- able Court will cause this their petition to be laid before the Grand Jury of the said County and if the said Grand Jury shall concur that your Honorable Court will set off and divide the said village of Collingdale from the said Borough of Darby and will incorporate the said village into a new borough under the Borough name of Collingdale to the end that thenceforth the said village shall have all the rights, privileges and powers conferred by law upon boroughs within this Commonwealth.
M. F. LaRoche being duly affirmed according to law says that the facts set forth in the above petition are true as he verily believes and that the said petition was signed within fifteen days prior hereto, and is signed by all the resident free- holders within the boundaries mentioned in the above petition except three.
M. R. LAROCHE
Affirmed and subscribed this
first day of May A.D. 1891
Wm. H. Tricker, Notary Public
CENSUS RECORDS
Census records indicate that Collingdale Bor- ough was organized between 1890 and 1900 from part of Darby Borough, and the total population of Collingdale Borough from 1900 through 1960 was as follows:
1900. 603
1910. 1361
1920. 3834
1930. 7857
1940. 8162
1950. 8443
1960. 10268
Page 2
(No. 1011-NEW SERIES JANUARY 1, 1884.)
OFFICE OF FIRST AS n ---... on * FEB 1+ 1/LOCATION PAPER)
POST MASTER OFNIE ...
Post Office Department,
OFFICE OF THE FIRST ASSISTANT P. M. GENERAL,
WASHINGTON, D. C., , 188
.... ·
SIR: Before the Postmaster General decides upon. the application for the establishment of a post office at ., County of .. , Etate of , it will be necessary for you to carefully answer the subjoined questions, get a neigli- boring postmaster to certify to the correctness of the answers, and return the location paper to the Department, addressed to me. If the site selected for the proposed office should not be on any mail route now under contract, only a "Special Office" can be established there, to be supplied with mail from some convenient point on the nearest mail route by a special carrier, for which service a sum equal to two-thirds of the amount of the salary of the postmaster at suchi office will be paid.
You should inform the contractor, or person performing service for him, of this application, and require him to execute the inclosed certificate as to the practicability of supplying the proposed office with mail, and return the same Zato the Department. Very respectfully, A.r. Hernan First Assistant Postmaster General. To Mr. care of the Postmaster of. who will please forward to him. STATEMENT. The proposed office to be called Collinedale. Fa. Select a short name for the proposed office, which, when written, will not resemble the name of any other post office in the State. It will be sitnated in the quarter of Section Townshlp (North or South), Range : (East or West), In the County of Delaware. State of Pennsylvania. It will be on or near route No. 10027 being the route from Baltimore, md to Philadelphia, Pa. on which the mail is now carried The contractor's name is Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Co times per week. Will it be directly on this route ?- Ans. D.o.s If not, how far from, and on which side of itt-Ans. How much will it INCREASE the travel of the mall one way cach trip1-Ans. Where will the mail leave the present route to supply the proposed office 1-4ns. Where intersect the route again ?- Ans. What post office will be left ont by this change ?- Ans. If not on any route, is a "Special Office" wanted 1-dns. To be supplied from The name of the nearest office to the proposed one, on the same route, is Folsom. Par. The name of the nearest office on the same route, on the other side, is Philadelphia, Pa its distance in The name of the nearest office to the proposed one, not on this route, is Sharon Hill Pa. 6 miles in an. Easterby- direction from the proposed office. distance by the most direct road 1/4 The name of the most prominent river near it is DelAna.r.e.s. The naine of the nearest creek in Darby. The proposed office will be 5 /2 mlles from said river, on the West side uf it, and will be 2 /4 miles from anid nearest creek, on the The name of the nearest railroad is Baltimore + Ohio etatlon 1-Ans 65 rods from Collinedale Station on thenortivsive, What wih be the distance from the proposed site to the nearest flag station !- Ans. State naine cf station : What will be the distance from the proposed site to the nearest station at which mail trains make regular stops ?- Ans. 65 gods. State name of station ? Collinedale If it be a village, state the number of inhabitants .- Ans. 250 Be careful to answer the inquiries fully and accurately, or the case will not be acted upon. its distance is 1. 3/10 miles in a Westerly- direction from the proposed office.
miles in a Southerlyy= direction from the proposed office.
Southeast Hide of it.
If on the line of or near a railroad, on which side will the office he located ; how far from the track; and what le, or will be, the name of the
If the proposed office is located where it can be supplied from a crane or flag station, or located over 80 rode from the station where mail trains make regular stops, will the mail be carried to and from the proposed office without expense to the Department ?- Ans.
Also, the population to be supplied by the proposed office .- Ans. 350
A diagram, or skitch from a map, showing the position of the proposed new office, with neighboring river or creek, roads, and other post offices, towne, or villages near it, will be useful, and is therefore desired.
A correct map of the locality might be furnished by the county surveyor, but this must be withont expense to the Post Office Department.
Ay WHICH I CERTIFY to be correct and true, according to the best of my knowledge and belief, this Seventh day of
al'ebruary
188 g. (( Sign full name.) Mars. Emilie La. Merrill. , Proposed P. M. I CERTIFY that I have examined the foregoing statement, and that it Is correot and true, to the best of iny knowledge and belief.
WH Galbraith
Postmaster at Folsom. Delaware Co, Pa
HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF COLLINGDALE
The Borough of Collingdale, Delaware Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, located in the southeast area of the state, has an area of .087 square miles and was created by charter granted by the courts of Deiaware County on December 23, 1891.
In order to have a knowledge of the history of this area prior to the creation of the borough, let us go back to the early history of the state of Penn- sylvania. Between 1682 and 1773, Pennsylvania was divided into counties. The first three counties established were Philadelphia, Bucks, and Chester. Prior to 1682 there were few settlers in the Darby area, but with the arrival of William Penn in 1682 at Upland, now known as Chester, many persons arrived and settled in this area. From what was known as Upland, the settlers spread out into the surrounding areas and three townships were created: Chester (1682); Concord (1683); and Darby (1683).
The boundaries of Darby Township were set by creeks and land grants, some of which were of Swedish and Dutch origin and were established before the arrival of William Penn. For example, prior to 1606, Calcoone Hook, which was an ancient Swedish settlement, had been recognized as a separate municipal district. However, Derby Liberty and Calcoone were eventually combined; the area of the resulting township was estimated at eighteen and one-half square miles. Within this township, on one of the large creeks, a settlement was established and a mill erected. This settlement became known as Darby Village, which is sup- posedly named after the town of Derby in Eng- land.
The chief governmental officers of Darby Vil- lage were constables and overseers of the poor. In 1747 the township was divided into Northern and Southern sections which were referred to as Upper Darby and Lower Darby. From 1747 to 1786 there were many disputes over the bound- ary lines of the two areas of Darby Township. Finally, on September 30, 1786, the Quarter Ses- sion Court granted a petition to divide the town- ship and set permanent boundaries.
During the year 1789, by Act of the General Assembly, the county of Chester was divided and a part thereof was named Delaware County. This new county consisted of that section of Chester County which was known as Chester, Concord, and Darby Townships. By an act of the Legisla- ture, Darby was now located in Delaware Coun- ty as it is known today.
From 1786 until 1852, the existing boundaries of the township remained the same. In 1853 the area known as Darby Village made application for and was granted a charter to incorporate as a borough. A map of the original area of Darby Township dated 1884 shows three distinct areas: Darby Township; Upper Darby Township; and Darby Borough.
The boundaries of the borough of Collingdale, as created by the charter, were not the same as we know them today. The original charter covered an area bounded as follows: on the east by Springfield Road from Chester Pike to what is known today as Riveley Avenue; on the north by Riveley Avenue from Springfield Road to Clifton Avenue; on the west by Clifton Avenue from Riveley Avenue to
July 4, 1916
July 4, 1916
Page 4
PARTITION OF DARBY TOWNSHIP AND THE CREATION OF BOROUGH OF COLLINGDALE
1686
1786
Darby Township
Darby Township and Upper Darby Township.
1853
Darby Township.
1853
Darby Township and Borough of Darby
1891
Darby Township, Borough of Darby, Borough of Collingdale.
1965
Borough of Collingdale enlarged by annexation from Darby Township.
Page 5
the B.&O. Railroad; on the south by Chester Pike and the B.&O. Railroad to Clifton Avenue. The boundaries of the borough remained the same from 1891 to 1894, when the borough was enlarged by Ordinance No. 20, passed in 1894, annexing a portion of Darby Township from Clifton Ave- nue to west of Lafayette Avenue to Oak Lane. It was further enlarged by the adoption of Ordin- ances 141, 143, and 144. Since adoption of the foregoing ordinances, the last of which was ap- proved in 1922, the boundaries of the borough have remained the same.
After the granting of the Charter of Incorpor- ation to become a borough by the courts of Dela- ware County on December 23, 1891, it was neces- sary that a form of government be established. Although the record does not show how the mem- bers of the first council were determined, it is as- sumed that they were appointed by the courts when the charter was issued. The following men served as the first Council for the Borough of Col- lingdale: H. F. La Roche, Burgess; H. K. Hart- man, L. P. Stradley, Joseph W. Heining, Albert Halst, George K. Rambo, and E. M. Royal, Coun- cilmen.
The first meeting of council was held on Janu- ary 13th, 1892, in the office of Mr. LaRoche. The first clerk of council was A. F. Nicholas; the first treasurer was A. S. Barke; and the first soli- citor was V. G. Robinson, Esq. After organizing the council, the next business was the creation of committees. The following committees and chair- men were appointed at the second meeting on January 18th, 1892: Highway-G. K. Rambo; Finance-L. P. Stradley; Footwalks-E. M. Ro- yal; Police-J. W. Henning; Fire-H. K. Hart- man; Lamps-Albert Halst; Sanitation-G. K.
Rambo. At this meeting, Mr. E. M. Harris, Jr. was appointed borough surveyor, the first borough debt in the amount of $300.00 was created by note, and the First National Bank of Darby was named official depository.
From a review of the ordinances that were first adopted, some idea of the borough of Collingdale at that time can be determined. There were few houses and a'lot of open land; it was basically like a farm area, because the first ordinance adopted prohibited cattle and swine running at large. Thus, the original borough council, organ- ized and functioning in order to meet the needs of the community, provided an early precedent for the activities of the succeeding councils of Colling- dale.
COLLINGDALE'S EARLY HERITAGE IN ITS STREET NAMES
Collingdale's 75th anniversary caused me to wonder about its past history. One thing which struck me, in reading through the various his- tories of Delaware County was the similarity of many of the street names in Collingdale with the names of the early settlers of the community. I do not intend to declare that these streets were named for these people, but to show how far back these family names go. It is entirely possible that the streets were named for later descendants of the early settlers.
John BARTRAM-settled on a farm west of 'Darby Creek. He had three sons, John, Isaac, and William, and a famous grandson, John Bartram, America's first botanist.
Waters Farm
Waters Farm House
Page 6
To Collingdale on its 75th,
our congratulations
If ever a town deserved to have its name up in bright lights, it's Collingdale. One of Philadelphia's very pleasantest suburbs. A quiet place where the liv- ing's easy and enjoyable. Where residents are proud of their homes and every street shows it.
Now Collingdale is 75. And on this happy occasion, Philadelphia Electric happily looks back on its years of electric and gas service to this delightful Delaware County community. We hope we've helped Collingdale grow through the years and we certainly pledge our every effort to keep its future bright.
To Collingdale, then, all the best it's in our power to wish. And that's quite a lot of power.
PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
AN INVESTOR-OWNED COMPANY SERVING SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA
Fire Equipment - 1913
John BLUNSTON-Quaker minister; Speaker of the Assembly; Justice of the court.
Daniel and Joseph HIBBERD-emigrated from Wales in 1682 and 1692 respectively.
John JACKSON-Quaker minister; land sur- veyor; lecturer in philosophy, chemistry, and astronomy; established Sharon Boarding School (now School of the Holy Child of Jesus in Sharon Hill).
Abraham MARSHALL-minister from Grot- ton, England. Settled in 1700.
Caleb PUSEY-millowner at Chester; person- al friend of William Penn.
Matthew ASH-miller in Darby for twenty- five years.
John ANDREWS-born in Darby in 1795; elected Associate Judge of Delaware County in 1851; served until 1866.
Samuel Morse FELTON-Harvard graduate; built railroad from Boston to Cambridge; presi- dent of Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railway; president of Pennsylvania Steel Co .; di- rector of Pennsylvania Railroad.
RHODES-connected with Aston Mills; con- tracting and building business in Chester; partner in coal and lumber business.
James WOLFENDEN-Partner in Wolfenden, Shore Co., cloth manufacturer. He invented and
Collingdale School Bartram Avenue
perfected the picker used with the shuttle in weav- ing cloth.
Fred Scott Hunlock, M. D., son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Hunlock of Luzerne, Penna., was born March 27, 1882. Following graduation from Wyoming High School (1900) and Wyoming Seminary (1903), he entered the medical school at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 1904.
After graduation (1908) and one year of in- ternship at Phoenixville Hospital, he began his practice at 510 Parker Avenue (now MacDade Boulevard) in 1909, later moving to 615 Parker Avenue.
Throughout his years of service, he has held the following offices: Coroner's Physician; Public School Medical Examiner; doctor on Board of Health; chief of local Selective Service Board during World War II; medical examiner for Na- tional Life and Accident Insurance Company and Metropolitan Insurance Company. In 1958 he re- ceived a plaque from the Medical Society com- memorating his first half-century as a physician.
A basketball, football, and baseball fan, an avid fisherman and tennis champion (1924 Delaware County Singles Champion), he still plays tennis and fishes every week.
MacDade Boulevard, Collingdale, Po. - 1951
Cherry & Parker Streets
Page 8
LUdlow 3-3350
Think of Ours . COLE'S Howers
1112 MacDADE BOULEVARD
COLLINGDALE, PA. 19023
Cole Florist
FLORI
SHAFFER'S AUTO-SERVICE LU 6-4250 COLLINGDALE.PA.
Compliments of
Shaffers Auto Service First In Service
301 MacDADE BLVD. LU 6-4250
Member Collingdale Businessmens Association
Butler Oil Corp.
WILLOWS AVE. & B & O RAILROAD
COLLINGDALE, PA.
-
SA 9-4700
LE 2-2120
BUTLER
Fuel Oil
Burner Sales & Service
1 Carrier Air Conditioning
High School - 1947
HISTORY OF COLLINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL
Collingdale Borough, originally a part of Darby Borough and Darby Township, was chartered in 1891, but Collingdale public schools began a year before that when Miss Margaret Harris, who was to teach in the borough for the next 46 years, held the first class in a small room in the back of Eliskey's store. The first school building, a one room affair, was located at Hibberd and Clifton Avenue. Within two years it was necessary to hold classes in the firehouse and in a room over the old post office. It was 1915 before the children of the lower end of the borough moved to the Pusey Avenue School.
In October, 1849, due to the increased popula- tion, the Bartram Avenue School was built and occupied. In 1937 the school was renamed in honor of Miss Harris.
In 1927 the Senior High School was erected. Additions of more classrooms and the gymnasium were completed in 1935.
The teaching staff of Collingdale High has la- bored long and hard to establish a program of education under the careful administration of Jo- seph Carey, Zeno Baldelii, Edwin Tufts, Frank Hartzel, Francis Ambrose, Harry Mercer, and Charles Hable. The Senior High has provided ex- cellent academic and commercial training as well as practical training in the home economics and industrial arts. Adequate provision has been made for library work, vocal and instrumental music, and a well-rounded program of extra curricular activities including athletics, clubs, publications, dramatics, and student government.
.
B & O Station
Page 10
Mousley Construction Company, Inc. BUILDING and GENERAL CONSTRUCTION 1018 SPRUCE STREET
LU 3-3254
GLENWOOD BUILDERS, INC. BUILDING and GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
1018 SPRUCE STREET
LU 3-3254
PARENTS HELPED
The school has always had the whole hearted cooperation of parents. Starting about 1897, Miss Harris, with the help of private citizens, organized the Collingdale Home and School Associations which has a record of community service that is second to none. In addition to supplying the shoes, clothing, and eye glasses to the needy children in the district, this organization is responsible for the contribution of band uniforms, motion pic- ture machines, radios, and the amplification system to the school. The association has made yearly scholarship funds available to the students meet- ing the necessary qualifications. The award, in honor of Miss Harris, has been given for many years.
Harris School -1910
Old Harris School - torn down August 1959
Page 12
To our friends in Collingdale . .
The suppliers to Creed Company salute the community of Collingdale on its Diamond Jubilee Celebration. Our best wishes for continued progress and prosperity.
WEINSTEIN SUPPLY COMPANY
4612 LANCASTER AVENUE PHILADELPHIA, PA. 19131
JOHNS-MANVILLE SALES CORP.
THE MALL BUILDING CHESTNUT STREET AT FOURTH PHILADELPHIA, PENNA.
WILDE TOOL COMPANY, INC.
13th & POTTAWATOMIE STREETS HIAWATHA, KANSAS 66434
ZANCA MOLDING CORPORATION
1662 62nd STREET BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
TORRINGTON CASTING COMPANY
293 NEW LITCHFIELD STREET TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT
Springfield & MacDade
Springfield & MacDade
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 75th ANNIVERSARY
We've been serving the public since before you were born.
SHARON Savings Loan Association
#9 CHESTER PIKE DARBY, PA.
HOURS
Monday - Thurs. 9:00 - 5:00 P.M. Friday 9:00 - 8:00 P.M.
Saturdays 9:00 til NOON
LU 6-4070
SAFE since 1873
THE WOMEN'S CLUB
Since its inception on September 17, 1936, at the home of Mrs. Samuel Palmer (now Mrs. Wal- ter Bardsley), the Women's Club of Collingdalc has been an outstanding group, working for what- ever has been best for the most people of the town. At the first meeting, the following officers were selected: the late Mrs. Charles Johnston- secretary; Mrs. Georgc Van Stavoren-treasurer; Mrs. Palmer-vice-president; and Mrs. Charles Kelly-president. The Collingdale American Le- gion invited the group to meet temporarily at the Legion Home on Clifton Avenue.
Almost immediately the club formed plans and adopted ways and means of establishing a public library which they felt was badly needed by the school children. After a successful campaign for funds, the library was opened on May 17, 1937, at 711 MacDade Boulevard (a former taproom). The library flourished and is still in operation on MacDade Boulevard adjacent to the Episcopal Church, manned and maintained by the women of the club. Besides maintaining the library, the club also organized the first playground and is still fill- ing Christmas baskets for the poor and needy.
During Mrs. Thomas MacFarland's administra- tion as president, a Junior Club was formed, a really active group of younger women who in turn organized a Pre-Teen Club under Mrs. Helen Patzek.
All in all, the Women's Club of Collingdale stands as an inspiration to the younger people of the borough.
8427 250 YHOW THE. Po.
TROLLEY SERVICE
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