|
 The
Swedes are thought to be the original
settlers of the area now known as Upper
Darby. The
Swedish Cabin, thought by many
to have been built circa 1654 and located
on Creek Road along the Darby Creek, is
designated with a Pennsylvania Historical
Marker. The cabin is also on the National
Register of Historic Places.
 Upper
Darby Township was formed out of Darby
Township in 1786. Settled by Quakers, some
of the most important and influential
families in the Township were friends of
William Penn. The Sellers family built
Sellers'
Hall, one of the first homes in
the area, and a part of it stands today as
St. Alice Roman Catholic Church Library,
site of a Pennsylvania historical marker.
Another prominent family in the area was
that of famed botanist John Bartram.
Upper Darby was one of several
municipalities that voted to secede from
Chester County and form a new county. In
1798 Delaware County was formed with the
seat at Chester City. In 1851 the seat was
moved to Media, where it remains
today.
The abundance of creeks and streams in
the area favored the development of mills
and it was in Upper Darby that the first
mills in Delaware County could be found.
The mill trade greatly increased the
population of Upper Darby, from just over
800 in 1800 to almost 5000 by 1890.
Modern inventions found their way into
Upper Darby. Runneymeade, the home of
investor Christopher Fallon was the first
home in Delaware County to use gas for
lighting purposes. Philanthropist Anthony
J. Drexel, after whom the Drexel Hill
section of Upper Darby Township was named,
later owned the home.
The pre-Civil War era was busy time in
the Township. Reflecting its Quaker
beginnings, Upper Darby was active in the
antislavery movement. many homes in the
area were "stops" on the Underground
Railroad. Two regiments from Upper Darby
took part in the fighting of the war, and
one, the 106th, was involved in the
bloodbath at Antietam.
 Two
other Pennsylvania historical markers are
located at homes of well-known
abolitionists from the pre-Civil War era.
Hoodland,
now the Sellers Library, was the home of
one abolitionist, Abraham L. Pennock.
 Another
well-known abolitionist, Thomas Garrett is
honored at his home called Thornfield.
The home still stands today and is
located on Garrett Road in Drexel
Hill.
 The
original owners of Collenbrook
Farm (1700) were the Lewis
Family. This is the site of the 6th
Pennsylvania Historical Marker for Upper
Darby Township. It is located along the
Collenbrook Creek in the Aronomink section
of the Township. Dr. George Smith married
into the Lewis Family in 1829. He was to
become one of the most influential people
in the history of Delaware County. His
influence made it possible for Upper Darby
School District to be "the first School
District in Pennsylvania" in 1834. This
was probably a result of Smith's support
of the Abolitionist Movement.
The 20th century saw a population
explosion in Upper Darby. By the 1960's it
ranked as the 7th most populous
municipality in Pennsylvania, eclipsing
such towns as Harrisburg (the state
capital), Chester, and Bethlehem.
In 1907, the Philadelphia Rapid Transit
Company recognized the potential for
growth in the Township and extended the
Elevated line to 69th and Market Streets
in Upper Darby. the development of the
69th St. shopping district in the 1920's
by John McClatchy made Upper Darby the
second busiest shopping area in the
region. Only Center City Philadelphia
surpassed it. The construction of the 69th
St. Terminal made the Township a major
transportation hub for Philadelphia and
the western suburbs.
Growth has continued in the Township.
Beginning in the late 1970's the Township
experienced a large growth in population
from various ethnic groups. Many Greek
families settled here during the 1970's.
during the 1980'2 and 1990's
African-American, Asian, and Hispanic
families moved into the area. Asians now
own many businesses in the 69th St. area
of the Township.
Upper Darby's proud past is a prologue
for the future. The Township is poised at
the beginning of the 21st century with a
growing and diverse population, an
award-winning school district, and
tree-lined streets with graceful homes and
businesses. It brings together all the
amenities of a city in the comfort of the
suburbs.
The above
information about Upper Darby Township is
courtesy of Tom Smith, archivist for the
Upper Darby Township and Sellers Memorial
Free Public Library. He is also a local
historian who was kind enough to help
comprise a condensed version of our rich
history.
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