Something Unique In Your Neck of the Woods

Conestoga Township in Pennsylvania is rich with history. The most well known historical fact about the township is that it was the birthplace of the Conestoga Wagon, the cargo hauler that was vital to the country’s trade for over a century. In this article, we will discuss how the famous Conestoga Wagon became such a vital tool in keeping our nation growing during the early years.

When most people think of the Civil War and the state of Pennsylvania, Gettysburg usually comes to mind. After all, it was an epic battle that was a crucial turning point. But prior to that period, there was another battle fought in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This less well-known skirmish took place on the very same day as Gettysburg did.

Confederate General Stuart moved up through Maryland and into Pennsylvania in search of supplies. There was another motive, and that was to find a specific group of soldiers. Instead, they came upon the militia in Carlisle. Rather than attacking the entire town, they first focused on the barracks, as they weren’t prepared for another full battle and were exhausted from earlier weeks.

With a Rock, a Creek, and Some Trout Lorimer Park has been a staple of Montgomery County for hundreds of years. How did it become what it is tod...

The Tower Theater, located on the corner of 69th and Ludlow in Upper Darby, PA, just outside of Philadelphia, was first opened in 1927. Not only did it make a good start by being built in record time, but even the initial 3500 seats were installed in just 5 days. The name of the building was reflected in that it had a big blue tower attached to the top of the building, with the name “Tower” spelled out in bright illuminated red lettering.

When it first opened, the theater was the premiere place to go to see all sorts of Vaudeville acts. Such business sustained the theater for the first decade and a half, but by the late ’30s Vaudeville was on the decline and people were beginning to turn out less. As a result, the theater began to show movies in addition to the live shows. 

While most people may have memories of Reading Railroad being a property in the game Monopoly, Reading Railroad was an important part of history on the East Coast. The Reading Railroad was part of a larger operation, and in 1833 it carried the name of The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, also known as P & R.   

It was first and mostly used for distributing and moving coal along the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, though was involved in other aspects as well such as iron making. Prior to the railway, barges transported the coal, but with technology came faster alternatives. 

Moravian Gravestone - Identical in Style Regardless of Gender or Social Class. The Moravian Brethren in Pennsylvania German immigrants were far...

Mushroom Farming in Chester County Every county has something about it that makes it special. For some, it’s a famous figure. For others, it’s a ...

Many things come to mind when thinking of Lancaster County: the Amish, center of PA Dutch culture, horse and buggy trotting alongside a bucolic country road. Being hotly contested territory in a violent, decades-long border dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland is not one of them. But Lancaster County was exactly that in the 1730s during a conflict known as Cresap’s War.

Many know of a famous Pennsylvanian named William Penn, but William Allen was an important part of this state’s history as well as the founder of Lehigh County (1812), Allentown (1762), and Mount Airy (which was actually an estate and manor first, built in 1750). Speaking of Allentown, Allen chose the location due to the Lehigh River and its ability to easily transport goods to and from Philadelphia. Today, Allentown is Lehigh County’s county seat.

Let’s dig a little deeper into William Allen’s story and his connection to some well-known historical people. 

You’ll find New Hope nestled along the Delaware River, along with a unique blend of boutiques, art galleries, eateries and more. With the addition of the Bucks County Playhouse nearby, it’s a perfect afternoon out, or even great for a romantic weekend by adding a stay at a local bed and breakfast. 

Many people rave about the nearby Peddler’s Village for its quaint and charming shops. It sits in Lahaska which is only a stone’s throw away and less than a fifteen-minute drive if you want to add it to your weekend plans. 

Being a suburb of Philadelphia it has significant historical ties, recognized as "Birmingham of the North" per civil rights leader James Farmer Jr. because of its history of police brutality and racial tension in the early 20th century. Major figures like Malcolm X, John F. Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr travelled to Chester in their journeys to relay their messages to America.

Martin Luther King Jr. pursued his Masters of Theology degree at Crozer Theological Seminary from 1948-1951. The president of the seminary spoke at Morehouse College’s baccalaureate in 1945, while King was enrolled at the college. However, the single most influential factor in his attending Crozer Theological Seminary would be attributed to his fellow Morehouse College alum, J. Pius Barbour. Barbour, who was a friend of Martin Luther King Sr, also happened to be the first African-American to obtain a Masters of Theology degree from the seminary in 1937.

Delaware County has many beautiful places to visit. From historical sites that changed American history, to art museums dedicated to the finest painters in the area, relaxing creeks to visit, and wineries to make the visit memorable. It’s no wonder that Delaware country is one of the most interesting places to visit in the whole of southeastern PA.