A nod to the fascination with the Greek revival style. That’s how Ardmore got its original name. It was called Athensville back in 1811. But let’s dive into the story of this vibrant community.
Ardmore began on 410 acres. Richard Davis bought the land in 1686. He purchased it from five Welshmen for a mere 32 pounds and 16 shillings. Can you imagine that price today?
The village’s name changed to Ardmore in 1873. The Pennsylvania Railroad renamed it. Ardmore sits at Milepost 8.5 on the Main Line west of Philadelphia.
In 1884, William J Buck noted Ardmore’s early charm. He said Athensville had eight houses, three stores, and one hotel in its center. It was the largest village in the township back then.
Early transportation was rough. Trails were dusty in summer and muddy after rain. The Lancaster Turnpike changed everything in 1796. It was the first one constructed in America. This allowed wagons to carry goods and settlers. Inns and taverns popped up along the route. Only the General Wayne remains of those early establishments.
The original settlers were Welsh. They worked on neighboring farms and in mills along Mill Creek. Germans followed, bringing industrial skills. Then the Irish came and staffed hotels and lavish estates.
The establishment of railroads boosted Ardmore’s expansion. The first Board of Commissioners met in 1900 at the General Wayne. They established a local government. The Autocar Works moved from Pittsburgh that same year. Good roads and a skilled labor supply attracted them.
St Georges was a beautiful, wooded tract. It stood near Montgomery Avenue and Mill Creek Road. It began as a series of inns. It ended as the estate of the Andersons, prominent local physicians.
The property started as an inn before 1730. Richard Hughes built a house and converted it to the Three Tuns. Travelers could find lodging, food, and drinks. It also served as a post office. In 1759, Hughes sold the property to Francis Holton. Holton renamed it The Prince of Wales. Philip Syng, a silversmith, bought it in 1772. He used it as a country residence. Capt Robert McAfee reopened it as The Green Tree in 1783. Godfrey Lainhoff took over in 1797 and called his inn St. Georges.
Dr Joseph Anderson bought the building in 1811. His family occupied it for five generations. It was described as a quiet and rustic estate. The estate was razed in the 1950s.
Ardmore has retained wooden houses of the Gingerbread Age. From the mid-1800s, there was a need for tasteful housing at moderate cost. One could buy plans and have a local builder put up a house. A medium-quality home cost between $2,000 and $5,000.
Today, Ardmore is known as “The Main Street of the Main Line.” It has ever-changing local colors and seasonal events. Suburban Square opened in 1928. It established Ardmore as a destination shopping center. Ardmore is conveniently located. It is easy to get around. It is a perfect spot to enjoy the local scenery and catch the train to downtown. You’ll fall in love with its novelty. Its exemplar neighborhoods will charm you.
Ardmore’s story is one of transformation. From farmland to a bustling suburb. It retains its charm and community spirit. It’s a place where history and modern life blend seamlessly.