Marple and Newtown Townships Book

For most of their histories, Marple and Newtown townships were farming communities on the western outskirts of Philadelphia. The thriving farms supplied local grocers, while the fresh air and clean water in Marple and Newtown attracted city dwellers seeking recreational opportunities. With the West Chester Pike linking the townships to other areas, they quickly became quintessential suburban communities. Join journalist Mike Mathis in an engaging tribute to his childhood home, its early residents, and some fondly remembered landmarks.

Marple and Newtown Townships captures the growth of the two communities from the early 20th century through the 1990s. A trolley line established early in the century provided transportation for commuters, but it was not until the 1950s that Marple and Newtown were transformed from sleepy outposts to sprawling suburbs. Housing developments such as Lawrence Park attracted thousands of new families to the area. Included in this collection are local landmarks which have long since vanished, including Bonsall's General Store, the old Marple-Newtown High School, Bessie Parker's, and the Bergdoll Mansion. Many long-time residents of the townships contributed images from their own family albums, including Seth Pancoast (whose family has lived in Marple for more than 100 years), Dick Standen, Jan Ceton, Hilda Lucas, and collector Richard Plotts.