“Remember Camp Town?” I ask. That’s what La Mott was once called. It’s an unincorporated residential community. La Mott sits within Cheltenham Township in Montgomery County Pennsylvania.
La Mott got its current name to honor Lucretia Mott. She was a 19th-century abolitionist and suffragist. Lucretia lived in this neighborhood.
Of all the places named Mott in the continental United States only this one is called “La Mott.” It borders Philadelphia along Cheltenham Avenue. La Mott has the ZIP code 19027.
Lucretia Mott lived here from the 1850s until her death in 1880. Her house was named Roadside. Sadly it was demolished in 1911. Roadside was a major stop on the Underground Railroad.
La Mott was formerly known as Camptown or Camp Town. It was the site of Camp William Penn. This was the first federal training site for Black soldiers during the Civil War.
Camp William Penn operated from 1863 to 1865. It was used by the Union Army. As many as 11000 free and escaped African Americans joined the United Army during the Civil War. 8612 of them came from Pennsylvania. President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation helped make this possible.
Camp William Penn played an important role in desegregation. It also advanced African American roles in the military. Frederick Douglass visited the site. He discussed its importance in the war. Douglass also shed light on the harsh treatments African American soldiers faced.
The La Mott Historic District includes more than 35 historic buildings. The AME Church is within the community. Also significant are a residence on Old York Road. The site of the former Lucretia C. Mott House is here. The La Mott historical marker stands as well.
The La Mott Fire Company formed in 1910. It provides emergency service to over 8000 residents in the area.
The households here are mainly upper-middle income. This makes it an above-average income neighborhood. Many residents hold executive management and professional positions. Others work in sales and service. Some have clerical assistant or tech support roles. Still others work in manufacturing and labor.
A significant portion of La Mott’s population was born outside the United States. While most residents speak English some speak Native American languages. Other languages include Spanish African languages French and Korean.
La Mott offers a glimpse into a rich past. From abolitionist roots to military training grounds it stands as a testament to American history. It is a vibrant community with a diverse population.