You might be surprised to learn that one of the smallest boroughs in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, holds a unique distinction. Millbourne isn’t just any small town; it’s a borough that’s been called Little India. Millbourne gained this nickname due to the large South Asian American population that has grown there since the 2000s. The increase in the South Asian population in Millbourne is a recent development, but the borough itself has a long history.
Let’s rewind to the earliest settlers of the area. Samuel Sellers, a skilled weaver, arrived in 1682 from England with his brother George. They purchased land from William Penn and began a family legacy that would shape the future of Millbourne. The Sellers family later established a flour mill known as Millbourne Mills, giving the borough its name. The name comes from the combination of “Mill” and “bourne,” which means creek.
The flour mill was an important part of Millbourne’s economy for many years. But times changed, and the mill closed down in 1926. A Sears store took its place, but it too eventually closed and the site was demolished. Throughout its history, Millbourne has experienced diverse waves of ethnic populations. The arrival of Greek Americans led to the development of a thriving Greek community. Later, East Asian Americans moved into the area, and today, the South Asian American community is a significant part of Millbourne’s fabric.
Today, Millbourne is still a small town with a big heart, a town that embodies the spirit of diversity and resilience. As you stand here at the edge of Millbourne, you can feel the echoes of its past and sense the promise of its future.