USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History and progress of Chester County, 1962 > Part 2
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Colleges and Universities
The desires, support, and appreciation of Chester Countians for higher education is to be seen in its two colleges and a university, which offer full accredited higher education. Lincoln University, formerly Ashmun Institute,
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was established by Charter of the Legislature in 1854, to provide liberal arts education for the colored. It was renamed Lincoln University, in 1866, follow- ing the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. This university is located on U.S. I, east of Oxford, in Lower Oxford Township. Lincoln University now is integrated. Its original buildings date from 1856-1896. Immaculata College was founded in 1908 by the Order of Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as Villa Maria College, and chartered in 1921, as Villa Maria Col- lege for women students in Liberal Arts education. Its name was changed to Immaculata College in 1929. It is situated in East Whiteland Township, near Frazer. The West Chester State College was established as West Chester Normal School in 1871, following a merger of the West Chester Academy. The original buildings on the campus date from 1872-1890, beginning with "Old Main Dormitory." By Acts of the legislature, the name was changed in 1927 from Normal School to West Chester State Teachers College, and again changed in 1960 to its present title. This college provides co-ed elementary and secondary teacher curricula in music, health and physical education, and a graduate program which was established in 1959. The University of Penn- sylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (New Bolton Center) was established in 1952, on a 300 acre tract, formerly the Pusey property, near Kennett Square in East Marlborough Township on Street Road. Also the Flowers and Cook Observatory of the University of Pennsylvania was established in 1956 on Providence Road in Willistown Township. This purely scientific institution is not open to the public.
Boy Scout Facilities in Chester County:
Chester County Council Inc., Boy Scouts of America, 125 North High Street, West Chester-"Horseshoe Scout Reservation," of approximately 650 acres, on both sides of the Octorara; Oakwood District, Cecil County, Maryland; West Nottingham township, Chester County; and Fulton township in Lancaster County, off U.S. I, right, two miles west of Rising Sun, Maryland. Containing (I) Scout Camp, (2) Explorer Base and (3) Jambo Camp, open yearly, with an annual attendance of approximately 3,000.
Girl Scout Facilities in Chester County:
Chester County Girl Scouts, 14 South Church Street, West Chester-Camp Tweedale, of approximately 100 acres in Lower Oxford Township, established in 1930. Open year round, with an annual attendance of approximately 1,000. Off Pennsylvania route 15024 to Pine Grove on Tweed Run at the City of Chester Water Authority Reservoir.
Chester and Delaware Counties Dental Society
The Chester and Delaware Counties Dental Society was established early in 1895. At that time it adopted a Code of Ethics embracing obligations to pa-
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tients, standard of character, regard for associates, and conservatism in ad- vertisements. The nature of the Society is unique in its combination of social and professional activities.
The Newcomen Society in North America
This is a voluntary association with headquarters in Uwchlan township, Chester County. Established in 1858, by the late L. F. Loree, of New York, then dean of American railroad presidents, its primary interests are material his- tory, as distinguished from political history. Its objectives center in the begin- nings, growth, development, contributions, and influence of industry, transpor- tation, communication, the utilities, mining, agriculture, banking, finance, economics, insurance, education, invention, and the law-these and correlated historical fields. Located here is the Thomas Newcomen Library a reference collection open for research. The society is located on North Ship Road, Route 15184.
The Chester County Medical Society
Was founded in 1828, at that time, it was the only society in Pennsylvania drawing its membership from county practice. In fact more than fifteen years elapsed before similar organizations were attempted in any of the adjoining counties. It was reorganized in 1847, at which time it adopted a code of medical ethics, with the sanction of the American Medical Association.
Libraries
The burning desire for knowledge and culture by our early ancestors was evidenced in their support of public libraries. Some of the early libraries are New London, 1806, Farmers of London Grove, 1805, and Winsor, 1866. Among the Public Libraries in efficient operation today are the Atglen, East- town-Berwyn, Coatesville, Downingtown, Bayard Taylor Memorial-Kennett Square, Oxford, Paoli, Parkesburg, Phoenixville, Spring City, West Grove, and West Chester. College Libraries are Immaculata College-Malvern, Vail Memorial-Lincoln University, and the West Chester State. The Chester County Historical Society also has an extensive library.
Inns and Taverns
Blending with the history and development of the County, some of the early and better known Inns and Taverns were the Leopard Inn, Tredyffrin Township, 1716; Chrome Inn, East Nottingham, 1715; White Horse Tavern, Willistown Township, 1721; Paoli Inn, Paoli, 1725; Eagle Hotel, Uwchlan Township, 1727; Red Rose Inn, of Rose payment rent fame, near West Grove, on U.S. I, 1731; Half-Way House Tavern, Chatham, 1741, renamed Chatham for the Earl of Chatham, William Pitt, in 1766; Ship Inn, originally above Downingtown, 1755,
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later moved to West Whiteland Township at Ship Road, on U.S. 30; King In Arms Inn, at Downingtown, 1761, which later housed the original Post Office in Chester County; Turk's Head Inn, West Chester, 1761; Anvil Inn on U.S. I, at Longwood, near Kennett Square, 1782; Buck Tavern, at Routes 23 and 100, 1790; Black Horse Tavern, 1794; and many others equally famous and none- theless interesting. Among the earliest licenses granted within the present limits of the County for the sale of alcohol was that of Thomas Moore, at Downingtown, in 1717.
Post Offices
The earliest Post Office established in Chester County was at Downingtown, 1798, others following were Cochranville, New Garden, New London, Chat- ham, and Kennett Square respectively. West Chester was established next in 1804. Today there are fifty-six Post Offices in Chester County. Postmasters were appointed by the Postmaster General, until 1849. Since that time, they have held office by Presidential appointment.
Slaves
Before the Swedes and William Penn and the English, the Dutch introduced slavery. Following the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, England secured a monopoly on the slave trade. It predominated in the Welsh Townships of Charlestown, Tredyffrin, East Nantmeal, and Nantmeal, and in those places settled largely by the Scotch-Irish, such as New London, Londonderry, Oxford, and East Not- tingham. Very few slaves were to be found elsewhere in the County. Opposi- tion to slavery began with the Friends in 1688, aided by other groups. Penn- sylvania was the first state to abolish slavery by Act of Assembly in 1780. Aided by the "Fugitive Slave Law" which was passed by Congress in 1850, Chester Countians keenly sympathized with and aided the runaway slaves as they passed through established routes and stopped at friendly homes. These designated citizens' homes were known as the "Underground Railroad Sta- tions." Among those established in Chester County were the home of Rachel Pierce (now Longwood), and homes in Kennett Square, West Chester, Down- ingtown, Honey Brook, Newlin, Unionville, Kimberton, Phoenixville, Ercildoun, East Bradford and Willistown.
Banking
From Provincial times to the present, banking has contributed a major role in our industrial and economic life. Banking records disclose that the "Bank of Chester County" (now the National Bank of Chester County and Trust Company) was the pioneer bank of Chester County, having been established by Act of Legislature, in 1814. It opened for business in 1814 on the second floor of the then County Records Building at the Northwest corner of High
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The National Bank of Chester County and Trust Co., West Chester
and Market Streets. It moved across the street in 1818 to the building in front of the Court House where it remained until 1837 when the bank moved next door to its present site. The bank building used from 1818 to 1837 was then used as a residence by an official of the Bank until 1883. From that time until 1958 it was leased for public offices. Again, in 1959 it was taken over by the Bank, this time to be its Trust Department. Following the passage of the Na- tional Banking Act, the bank became a National Bank in 1864, as the "National Bank of Chester County." Some of the earlier banks following this first bank were: National Bank of Chester Valley at Coatesville, 1857; National Bank of Oxford, at Oxford, 1858; National Bank of Downingtown, at Downingtown, 1861; The First National Bank of West Chester, at the County Seat, was the first bank in the County granted a National bank charter 1863, and opened for business in 1864. The only mutual savings bank in the county is the Dime Savings Bank of Chester County, established in 1890. It is one of the few within the State. From this beginning Chester County now has nineteen ex- cellent banking institutions offering modern facilities, with a strong financial background. One of the nineteen banks through merger is directed from without the County. The consolidated financial position of all banks in the County at the close of business, December 31, 1961, reports Capital of
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$4,385,000.00, Surplus of $12,265,000.00, and Deposits of $197,316,946.00. These facilities render invaluable assistance to the citizens of Chester County, and are available to serve diversified new home and industrial expansion within the County.
Hospitals
From Provincial days to the Revolution, humane care and treatment of the ill was provided largely in private homes. After the Battle of Brandywine, hos- pitals became necessary and were provided, for the sick and wounded, by commandeering churches, meeting houses, taverns, schools and barns. At West Chester were the Turk's Head Tavern, the old school house at the intersection of the Valley and Brandywine Roads, and the Birmingham Meeting House for the Battle of Brandywine, for both American and British casualties. There was also the Uwchlan Friends Meeting House, at Lionville, for the wounded of the Paoli Massacre. Others were the barns of Joseph Downing at Downingtown, Herman Prizer's, in East Coventry Township; the churches of the German Reformed in East Vincent Township; and the Zion Lutheran, in East Pikeland Township. In addition, commodious and well arranged army hos- pitals were established at Yellow Springs (Chester Springs) in Pikeland Town- ship for the Continental Army patients from Valley Forge. These hospitals were at the site of the mineral springs, then a famous resort since 1750. While the springs still exist, they are little known today. Also used was the encamp- ment hospital known as the Mansion House, at Valley Forge. From this back- ground, follows the development of our general hospitals in the County at present. Chester County is proud of its humane record of hospital care. We have the Atkinson Memorial, established in 1932, and the Coatesville Hos- pital in Coatesville, established in 1899; the Chester County Hospital at West
The Chester County Hospital, West Chester
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Chester, established in 1893; and the Memorial of Chester County, originally Homeopathic, established in 1912, name changed in 1945, at West Chester; the Community Hospital, established in 1925, at West Grove and succeeded by Community Memorial Hospital, near Jennersville, in 1959, on U.S. I; in Phoenixville, the Phoenixville Hospital, established in 1893. Other hospitals are the Rush Memorial Hospital, established in 1900, on U.S. Route 202, near Malvern, for Tuberculosis and Geriatrics; the Valley Forge Army Hospital, established in 1943 near Phoenixville, in Charlestown Township, specializing in neuropsychiatry and tuberculosis; the Veterans Administration Hospital, established in 1930, at Coatesville, for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders of war-time veterans. Both of these institutions are under Federal control. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains the Embreeville State Hospital, established in 1941, at Embreeville, on Stras- burg Road, in West Bradford Township, for mental disorders, and the Penn- hurst School, established in 1907, near Spring City, in East Vincent Town- ship off Pennsylvania Route 183, for the care and training of mentally defec- tive children beyond nursery age.
Agriculture
It was the farmer who elevated the County above the conditions in which it had been held by the Indians. From the 1680's until after the Centennial, the rest of Chester County had been chiefly of an agricultural and dairy economy. Today the principal agriculture products are cattle, corn, milk, truck farming, floriculture, mushroom, and poultry. Along with agriculture, some of the early nurseries were: Cherry Hill (Hoopes Bros. and Thomas, established in 1851), at West Chester, as well as the Morris Nurseries, established in 1851; Jason Mahan Nurseries, established in 1836, at Sadsbury; Dingee-Conard Nurseries, established in 1865, converting to roses in 1871, at West Grove, and in 1897 changing the name to Star Rose Company. They are the County's outstanding rose growers today, and are the oldest in America in rose growing experience. They are also the first to sell and ship roses by mail. Conard-Pyle Company, rose growers, was established in 1850 at West Grove. Blending with the agriculture program, are the Buck and Doe Run Valley Farms established in West Marlborough Township, Chester County in 1946, along Pennsylvania Route 82 between Unionville and Coatesville. These farms, comprising 10,000 acres owned and 2,000 acres leased, are maintained by the King Ranch of Kingsville, Texas, as grazing land. Annually, about May I, each year, 6,000 steers are shipped from Texas, which are grazed on grass for six months, and then sold for slaughtering, serving the large consuming centers on the Eastern Seaboard. Those steers not sold are placed into feed lots for further fattening on corn to produce a top meat product. Color too is blended into the program by the presence of the southwestern plains cowboys working the herds.
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Grazing Lands, Buck & Doe Run Valley Farms of King Ranch, Unionville
Mushroom Industry
Among the earliest pioneer growers, makers of spawn, and canners, the growers began about 1890, with William Swayne and Harry Hicks of Kennett Square, and William Sharpless of Toughkenamon. One of America's earliest spawn makers was L. F. Lambert, near Coatesville, which was acquired in 1928 by the Keystone Mushroom Company, established by Maurice Darling- ton and Richard Miller, who first grew mushrooms in 1900, at Green Lawn. The canning industry was begun by Edward H. Jacob of West Chester in 1917. Later came the Kennett Canning Company, established by J. B. Swayne and Norris A. Scott of Kennett Square, and Faucett and Hipple of West Chester, in 1925. The Grocery Store Products Company was the successor of Edward H. Jacob in 1929 and the Kennett Canning Company in 1930. Brandywine Mushroom Corporation, was the successor of Faucett and Hipple, in 1927. The first grower-canning group, was incorporated, in 1931, as the
Mushroom Growing
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Mushroom Co-operative Canning Company, at Kennett Square. Not unlike the expansion of the growing industry expanding from Chester County across the Nation, the canning industry likewise has expanded from one small cannery in Chester County in 1917, across the Nation, keeping pace with America's growth, with at least twenty canners of importance by 1958.
The American Mushroom Institute, organized at Kennett Square in 1955, is dedicated to research and promotion of the consumption of cultivated mushrooms. Their research is conducted with the generous aid of the Penn- sylvania State University, the Delaware State University, and the United States Department of Agriculture. The Institute has promoted the consumption of cultivated mushrooms through advertising, publicity, merchandising, and con- sumer education on a National level, and has aided immeasurably in keeping growers on a high and improved crop production, which also has aided vastly in expanding the industry. Approximately 90 per cent of the 400 growers in Chester County are members of The American Mushroom Institute, which now has a total membership of 650 throughout the United States. Chester County, Pennsylvania, is the world center of the cultivated mushroom industry, pro- ducing in excess of 65 million pounds of mushrooms annually, and its canneries in the County processing in excess of 70 per cent of the annual County pro- duction.
The estimated value of the diversified mushroom industry in Chester County is now in excess of $50,000,000.00.
Agriculture Census
The Agriculture Census for 1959, by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for Chester County, discloses there are 2,746 farms, of which 2,027 are commercial farms. Total county land in farms is 292,776 acres. The average size of farms is 106.6 acres. The average value of farms is $58, 165. Farm operators owning their own farms number 369. The average age of farm operators is 50.2 years. The number of farm operators over 65 is 496.
Farm Organizations
Some of the early farm organizations were the Agricultural Society of Chester County 1820; the Chester County Horticultural Society 1848 to 1869, then reestablished by Charter in 1939; the Oxford Agriculture Society 1870; the Brandywine Farmers Club 1879. Today there are also the Chester-Delaware Pomona Grange; Farm Loan Association; Chester-Delaware Ayrshire Breeders Association; Chester County Guernsey Breeders Association; Chester County Holstein Breeders Association; Chester County Jersey Cattle Club; Chester- Delaware Fruit Growers Association; Producer's Co-operative Exchange; Mush- room Growers Co-operative Association; Chester County Farmers Association; Chester-Delaware Farm Bureau Co-operative Association; Chester County Flower Growers Association; Chester County Beekeepers Association; Chester-
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Delaware County Poultry Association; American Mushroom Institute and the Middle Atlantic Carnation Growers.
Co-operative Agricultural Extension Association
Following the Federal appropriations provided by the Smith-Lever Act of Congress in 1914, the Federal Extension Service was established for scientific guidance and co-operative agricultural extension work from the Pennsylvania State University, through the Agricultural Extension Service which was estab- lished in Chester County in 1914. The service for encouraging and developing the agricultural resources of the County are financed by Federal and State appropriations. These appropriations provide the salaries of the professional staff, who are members of the Pennsylvania State University faculty. The annual County appropriations provide local office space, office personnel, and staff traveling expenses. The purposes of the Extension Service are not measured by the amount of work which the Association will do for people, but rather by the amount of work and improvements which the Association can get the people to do for themselves. Space will not permit recording 47 years of accomplishments, but they may be determined at the Agricultural Extension Office at the Court House. From origin to date, this office has been directed by five County Agents and from the early 1930's, by four home economists.
Soil Conservation Service
The Chester County Soil Conservation district was established by resolution of the County Commissioners in 1948. The County provides an annual appro- priation for offices and equipment. Its activities are directed by a board of five members: officers, chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary-treasurer. The director, who is appointed from the Board of County Commissioners, is selected. The first four Farmer Directors appointed are designated to serve for terms of one, two, three, and four years respectively. Thereafter each Farmer Director serves for four years. The main purposes are to coordinate the work of agencies and organizations active in the field of soil and water con- servation and to make basic services available to farmers and other land owners. Technicians of the service prepare soil and land capability maps, assist land owners in preparing a conservation plan, and set forth conservation prac- tices and measures needed to maintain or increase production and protect the soil for years to come. Another purpose is to assist land owners to install these practices by making engineering surveys, designs, and layout, and to provide supervision of installation (without charge). Cooperating agencies are the United States Soil Conservation Service, Pennsylvania Department of Forest and Waters, Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commissions and Depart- ment of Highways, Brandywine Valley Association, Vocation Agricultural De- partments, the Agricultural Extension Association, and the Pomona Grange.
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Reports of the Service, ending with the period from origin to January 1, 1961, disclosed the following facts: the number of completed farm conservation agreements is 1,800, and the number of acres involved, 163,500. The number of land use capability surveys and maps completed, 1,650, involving 152,867 acres. The number of conservation plans developed, 1,372, covering 122,505 acres. Chester County always has been blessed with a fertile soil and a pros- perous agriculture. The district is encouraged by progress made in conserving the valuable natural resources, hoping all county farmers will take steps in the near future to develop complete soil and water conservation programs on their lands. Soil and water conservation problems should be directed to the District Office, 405 Farmers and Mechanics Building, West Chester, from which referrals will be made to the Soil Conservation Service, at Court House Annex, West Chester.
Soil Conservation
Brandywine Valley Association
Brandywine Valley Association was organized in 1945 as an incorporated, non-profit educational organization by a group of public spirited citizens. It is composed of a membership approximating 2,000 dues paying members and is directed by a thirty member board: officers, a president, vice-presi- dent, and treasurer who are assisted by a non-member staff of an execu- tive vice-president, executive secretary and a secretary. The office is located in the Farmers and Mechanics Building, West Chester, Pennsylvania. The Asso- ciation's basic purposes are to restore, conserve, and improve the natural resources and to eliminate pollution from towns and industries by proper treat- ment of wastes; to provide leadership in establishing the long range water
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2
HONEYBROOK
3
12
LANCASTER CO
CHESTER CO
DOWN DOWNINGTOWN
B
8
COATESVILLE
PARKESBURG
WEST CHESTER
4
LAWARE CO
MOELANARE
NEW CASTLE
CASTLE
DELAWARE
PENNSYLVANIA
DELAWARE
Brandywine Valley Association Water Shed
supply, flood controls and recreation for the Brandywine Valley; encourage through education the residents in the 330 square mile water-shed area to make the wisest use of all their natural resources. The Association is financed completely by membership dues.
Red Clay Valley Association
The Red Clay Valley Association was organized in 1952 under procedures similar to those of the Brandywine Valley Association. The Association has a membership of more than 300 and is directed by a board composed of a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, assisted by an executive director (who is the Executive Secretary of Brandywine Valley Association). The office address is P.O. Box 38, Yorklyn, Delaware. The Brandywine Valley Asso- ciation by contract agreement operates and directs the Association. Its pur- poses are to eliminate pollution, to encourage conservation practices on the land, to provide information on the water resources of the valley, to make available conservation education materials to all schools in the water-shed. By surveys and in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey, a proven underground water supply has been established in the district. The Red Clay Creek drains 50 square miles of land in the area from Unionville, Pennsylvania, through Kennett Square to Stanton, Delaware.
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The Famous Longwood Gardens, Anvil
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Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens is one of the most important horticultural show places in the country. It is located at Anvil, east of Kennett Square in East Marl- borough Township, at the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 53 and U.S. I. Its water gardens, greenhouses, arboretum, fountain displays, stately con- servatories, with its vast pipe organ (one of the largest ever built) are renowned among beauty lovers nationally. The gardens are operated by the Longwood Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organization created by Pierre S. duPont, in 1937. By terms of its Charter and stipulation in Mr. duPont's will, the foundation is charged with the care, perpetuation, and improvements of the Gardens for charitable and public enjoyment. The Gardens are open every day of the year without charge. Since first opened in 1921, more than four million visitors have seen the Gardens, and the attendance now totals more than 300,000 annually. Longwood is rich in historical significance. It is part of a plot conveyed to George Pierce, in 1702, by William Penn. The Battle of Brandywine was fought within gunshot of the present Gardens. The poet- novelist, Bayard Taylor, lived nearby; in fact "Longwood," a narrow wooded strip on the premises, figures in his celebrated novel, "The Story of Kennett." The original brick dwelling, later the residence of Mr. and Mrs. duPont, dates from 1730. The property was an underground railway station stop and a gather- ing point for run-away slaves. The 1,000 acre plot containing many species of flowers, shrubs, plants, and trees from all parts of the world, as well as being a bird sanctuary, has been transformed by Mr. duPont into one of the best known and best loved gardens and centers of culture in the world.
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