Picture this: 1687. John Simcock a large landowner arrives from Ridley Cheshire England. He names this new settlement Ridley Township. Ridley Township is born. It’s a far cry from the bustling place it is today. It’s mostly farmland a quiet rural landscape.
Ridley Township’s early years are peaceful. Life revolves around farming and local mills. There’s a sense of community. Neighbors help neighbors. But the peace won’t last. The Revolutionary War arrives.
Suddenly Ridley Township finds itself on the front lines. Both the Continental Army and the British Army march through. Imagine George Washington himself passing through. He even spends a night at the home of John McIlvain. The war brings hardship. Looting is rampant. The British soldiers are merciless. They take from the poor and the rich alike.
Ridley Township endures. After the war life returns to a degree of normalcy. But change is on the horizon. A new railroad line the Darby Improvement arrives in 1872. This sparks growth. New towns like Eddystone Ridley Park and Prospect Park spring up. They thrive. They soon become independent. They leave Ridley Township between 1887 and 1894.
Ridley Township adapts. It becomes a first-class township in 1906. Today Ridley Township is a thriving community. It still reflects its rich history. The communities of Crum Lynne Folsom Holmes Leedom Milmont Park Secane Swarthmorewood and Woodlyn make up Ridley Township. These communities are still known as Ridley. They share taxes schools a library and a police department located in Folsom. Each has its own fire department. They cooperate in emergencies.
Ridley Township boasts a diverse population. It has a vibrant cultural scene. It even has famous people who call it home. Hack Wilson the legendary baseball player is from here. He once held the all time single season RBI record. The legacy of Ridley Township lives on. It blends its past with its present. It’s a testament to resilience and community spirit. It’s a story waiting to be discovered.