PO Box 564 Flourtown, PA 19031 215-233-4600 www.springfieldhistory.org ’s march 2012 Golden Age of Retail IN THIS ISSUE: • President’s Corner A Presentation by Mr. Lawrence Arrigale and Mr. Thomas Keels • From the Archives Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 – 7:30 p.m. • STHS Welcomes Three New Board Members First Presbyterian Church Bethlehem Pike & East Mill Road in Flourtown, PA • Volunteers Needed • Recent Acquisitions s recently as 1960, a special occasion. Philadelphia’s Market Street was Golden Age of Retail will also OFFICERS lined with gigantic evoke a city that was a mercantile Edward C. Zwicker, IV A department stores from City Mecca, where more sales revenues President Hall east to Seventh Street, were generated at the intersection Charles Zwicker including Wanamaker’s, Straw- of Eighth and Market Streets than Vice President bridge & Clothier, Gimbels, anywhere else in America! Scott Armington Treasurer Lit Brothers, and Snellen- Philadelphia’s Golden Age of Katie Worrall burg’s. On Chestnut Street, Retail is Lawrence Arrigale’s first Secretary the carriage trade shopped book (co-authored with Thomas at specialty stores like J.E. Keels) and reflects many of Larry’s DIRECTORS Caldwell’s, Bailey Banks & personal interests and experiences. Alex Bartlett Biddle, Jacob Reed’s Sons, Mr. Arrigale has been in the antiques Vincent Bruner and the Blum Store. These field for over 20 years and is a per- Barbara Coleman stores’ innovative owners viewed sonal property appraiser. He has been Dorothy Cutler their establishments not just as Eighth and Market Streets in 1936 a frequent guest speaker for the Chris DeVore marketplaces, but as great civic Cheltenham Township Adult School Sue Duckwitz arenas where Philadelphians could witness the latest Antiques & Collectibles Seminar and has spoken to Kathy Haight trends in fashion, art, and technology. numerous Questers groups. Cynthia Rose Hamilton Today, all are gone. Thomas Keels is no stranger to STHS, having presented to our organization on many topics of local Amanda Helwig Please join us as STHS welcomes co-authors Elizabeth Jarvis interest. Tom has written five books on Philadelphia Lawrence Arrigale and Tom Keels, who will present history, and has spoken to such organizations as Dolores Jordan on their upcoming book Philadelphia’s Golden Age the Christ Church Preservation Trust, Friends of Phoebe Rosenberry of Retail (release date March 2012 by Arcadia Independence National Historical Park, and the Ed Welch Publishing). This presentation will bring the city’s Union League of Philadelphia. vanished emporia back to life in all their glory. The ADVISORY BOARD This promises to be an exciting and educational authors have assembled hundreds of pictures which program on an interesting topic of Philadelphia Shirley Hanson trace the birth, rise, and decline of these great stores, Agnes L. Roberts history. The public is invited to attend, and there is no along with such topics as their suburban expansion charge for admission. Reservations are not required. John B. Roberts and holiday celebrations. Their illustrated lecture will Light refreshments will be served. take you on a journey back to the days when a Center EDITORS City shopping trip to Wanamaker’s or Gimbels was For more information call 215-233-4600 Cynthia Hamilton Phoebe Rosenberry PLEASE NOTE: Christine Fisher Smith Attendees to the March program are encouraged to bring a canned food item to donate to the Katie Worrall First Presbyterian Church’s neighborhood food pantry. Please help us to support this important cause. President’s

CornerMy President’s Corner article in the last issue of The Challenge opened mined on the land owned today by the North Hills Country Club. The sixty-three by stating that Springfield Township is a community made up of several foot high smoke stacks of the furnaces could be seen for miles around, and the distinct areas, including the more well known ones of Erdenheim, Flourtown, company was in operation until poor economic conditions forced their closing in Oreland and Wyndmoor. There are smaller neighborhoods within each 1897, putting over 200 men out of work. of these, some of which are long gone, such as the village of Enfield that I Another business followed in the Northwoods area in the form of the Meehan spotlighted in that column. Others still exist, but are predominantly known Nursery, whose president John Franklin Meehan grew shrubbery and trees in the only to those who live in them. My neighborhood, Northwoods, is one of Woods and Fairway Road areas for his area retail stores. Meehan was also an avid these and this is its story. golfer, and designed and built a 9-hole golf course, which would open in 1910 as the Northwoods as we know it today, a 141-home community located in the Edge Hill Golf Club, along Station Avenue. This was later expanded to 18 holes, eastern most portion of Springfield Township, was largely developed just after and renamed the North Hills Country Club. the Depression and through the post Word War II years. But if you travel In the late 1920’s, builder Samuel Harting and his sons purchased 26 acres of back in time over the past 325 years to the time when declared land along Station Avenue, and laid out 61 lots for a development to be known as our township as “Penn’s Manor of Springfield”, you’ll find a very different North Hills Manor. This would encompass homes along North and South Fairway Northwoods that evolved from a farming community to an industrial area, Roads, Tee Road, and Station Avenue. Around the same time, other developers were to a recreation location, to the eventual residential setting it provides today. erecting homes on newly laid out Woods Road and Edann Road. The Depression Let’s take a look back. would curtail home sales for several years, and some sat vacant in spite of price tags One of the first homesteads in today’s Northwoods was a 100-acre farm of about $13,000. belonging to Nicholas Hicks, on land deeded to him by the Penn family in In 1952 the Northwoods Association was formed, joining together a 1702. The original 1740’s farmhouse still exists at the former intersection of community of homes from all of the streets mentioned above. Different builders Edann Road and Church Road, and is typical of the architecture of that period. entered the area in the intervening years, to fill up all the available lots, with the The peaceful farms gave way to violent conflict during the Revolutionary last of those being built around 1990. Today, the Northwoods Association is an War, and it struck close to Northwoods with the Battle of Edge Hill. Britain’s active organization sponsoring yearly events including holiday caroling, block General Howe attacked General Washington’s troops, camped along the parties, Thanksgiving Day football games, golf outings, and garden and book ridgeline of the Whitemarsh Valley in December 1777. The outermost end clubs. Today this is a neighborhood that many affectionately call “home”, and it of Washington’s line, which saw much action, was just above today’s Woods is a great testament to that sense of community that the people now moving into and Edann Roads in Northwoods. The battle was really a series of skirmishes, Northwoods include second-generation families who grew up here as children, with the eventual outcome favoring Washington. He subsequently vacated including myself. this area and headed to his more historic encampment at Valley Forge. If you’d like to share the history and stories about your Springfield In July 1855 the Iron Horse of the North Railroad arrived neighborhood, send me a letter (at our STHS address) or e-mail (edzwicker@ in Springfield, and the first stop in the township was at the Edge Hill station, comcast.net), and I’ll spotlight it in a future President’s Corner! today’s North Hills SEPTA stop on Station Avenue in Northwoods. The result was a population boom in our area, and the arrival of the Edge Hill Keeping the past in the present, Iron Company in 1868. The company used the station stop for material drop Ed Zwicker off, and finished product pick-ups. Raw materials of limestone and ore were

from the A car went up the front steps of a house on Bethlehem Pike near the intersection of Gordon Rd. in Erdenheim between 1935 and 1940. The Old Wheel Pump Restaurant, a longtime neighborhood restaurant, was the site of “Floor Show & Orchestra Nitely,” a sign says. This photo by Archives Roger Wells is in the Springfield Township Historical Society archives.

The 700 block of Bethlehem Pike in Erdenheim underwent construction in 1960. This photo, looking south on the pike, was taken by Aubrey Williams and is in the Springfield Township Historical Society archives STHS Welcomes Three New Board Members x that of Europe,” says Chris. “I seem pursue her academic interests and to in one. When she moved to Flourtown x to be a bit of an anomaly as I’m not a support historical preservation efforts, from Skippack, Pennsylvania in 2004, resident of Springfield Township, but Sue now works hard at piquing the she bought the “Old Milk House,” a work there as Director of Volunteers interest of the sixth-grade students creamery on Mill Road that was once at Keystone Hospice. As a daily visitor that she teaches in the Springfield part of the Weiss Farm where people to Springfield, I am captivated by the Township Middle School. “My father, came from far and near to buy milk. “I quaintness of the community and its Jerry Beil, who served on the Board love the history of the home and hope generosity. In the course of my work, of Commissioners for many years, to be a good steward of it,” she says. I am constantly asking shop owners for often spoke about the need to preserve A member of the community New board member Christine donations to fund our Thanksgiving our community’s historical sites,” she told her that when he was a child, DeVore touches history every day for and holiday outreach programs. I am recalls. As a teacher in the Springfield area farmers brought milk to the she works in one of the most historic always met with a smile and a donation schools, Sue wants to nurture that seed house to be bottled and distributed. properties in Springfield Township, to support our work,” she says. her family planted by instilling the At one point, he believed it was called Keystone Hospice, Rauhala, located at What’s more all six of Chris’ values of good citizenship and pride in Thomas’ Dairy. “I’m hoping others in 8675 Stenton Avenue in Wyndmoor, children have been educated in our community in every student who the community have memories of the Pennsylvania. Situated on land where Springfield Township. “My son is a comes into her classroom. building,” she says, “meanwhile I’ve Hannah Callowhill Penn once owned graduate of LaSalle High School, Her relationship with Springfield got a small collection of milk bottles a dower farm house, the former John which rests on the site of Belcroft, a spans nearly 60 years. “As a child I grew on display in the kitchen and hope to Welsh House marked another of its historic property STHS featured on a up within the magic of Flourtown” acquire more.” innumerable milestones in 1997 when recent tour. My daughter is currently she says. “Carson Valley, with its acres Though Mandy has lived in it became Keystone Hospice, the first a 10th grade student at Mount St. of farmland, gabled roof cottages and Springfield Township for less than freestanding residential hospice in Joseph Academy, another Springfield forests were my childhood fantasy a decade, she’s always considered it a southeastern Pennsylvania. Township treasure. My other children playgrounds. With neighborhood second home. On weekends, her dad “My love for historic properties have graduated from the excellent friends, I would explore the dairy farm used to bring Mandy and her brother dates back to my college days when public school system. So although my barns and all of us would imagine we to work with him in the family’s I minored in art history and loved roots are shallow in Springfield, they were princesses while dancing around Flourtown business, Dan Helwig, Inc. studying architecture, particularly run deep in appreciation of the gifts the cottages. The history of these Realtors. “Just recently, my father has Springfield offers,” Chris explains. buildings fascinated me as a young stepped back to semi-retirement and I As a new board member, Chris’ adult when my dad served on the have taken over as Broker of Record,” goal is to support the mission of Carson Valley Board.” she explains, “we work very closely STHS Archives Hours STHS by helping with fundraising As an adult, Springfield still together and thanks to the respect and special events. remained at the center of her world. and support we’ve received from the Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm “Springfield had been my home as a child, community, our family business is as where I met my husband, Don and where strong as ever.” Wednesdays 11am - 1pm n we raised our family,” she says. Prior to joining the family Saturdays 9am - 12noon As a new board member, Sue business in 2004, Mandy worked as a looks forward to continuing to support laboratory researcher. She graduated Volunteers Needed STHS’ mission, in particular, its efforts with a B.S. degree from Ursinus at furthering its stewardship of the College where she majored in biology STHS is looking for dedicated volunteers Black Horse Inn. “My family was so and minored in art. While still in high to participate on a number of pleased to see Springfield Township school, her interest in local history committees including Programs, and the Historical Society step in and was spurred by a community effort to Events and Oral History. Committees find a way to preserve the Black Horse save the Collegeville Dam. “I fought meet on an as needed basis. Anyone Inn in Flourtown, “ she says, adding to preserve and repair the Collegeville with an interest in joining these Sue Beil Duckwitz knows that it’s critical to keep the momentum Dam, which was one of the first Mill committees is encouraged to so much about the history of her going. “The Black Horse Inn and all dams in the state of Pennsylvania,” she contact STHS. beloved Springfield Township that she of our historical properties serve as says. “It involved many hours of looking could create its first Trivial Pursuit Assistance is also needed in the reminders to us of those who once lived through old newspapers, tracing deeds game – and should. Try answering here, the importance of their legacy and and visiting local historical societies.” archives. This spring we will be these questions: the critical need to save these treasures Though the dam was torn down, she bringing on a new archivist and there • Do you remember the first library of for posterity.” maintains her resolve to help preserve will be several new and exciting Springfield Township, the fairgrounds the so many treasures that surround us. projects that will be launched. This and the railroad tracks that crossed n As a new board member, is an exciting time to join our efforts Bethlehem Pike? Mandy’s goal is to establish a link as we welcome our new staff member • Can you picture the three buildings— between STHS and the Springfield and begin new projects. the post office, the barber shop and the Township Planning Commission, Please consider these volunteer antique store—that once shared the where they plan on establishing an opportunities which provide a great same plot of ground with the Black historical commission. “I think some way to meet others in the community Horse Inn? of my knowledge of real estate in the with an interest in history and help our • Do you know where the Firehouse and community and business contacts organization to further our mission of Campbell’s Luncheonette once stood? will help with fundraising efforts preservation, research and education. and getting the word out about the Of course Sue knows the answers importance of the STHS,” she adds. Anyone interested in participating to all of these questions and more. Amanda M. Helwig doesn’t just is encouraged to call STHS at As she was encouraged by her dad to visit and read about historical houses — Mandy, as she likes to be called, is living 215-233-4600. n NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Fort Washington, PA Permit No. 518 Springfield Township Historical Society PO Box 564 • Flourtown, PA 19031

Address Service Requested

our website at ww.springfieldhistory.org or call us at (215) 233-4600. (215) at us call or ww.springfieldhistory.org at website our

Black Horse Inn, 1432 Bethlehelem Pike, Flourtown. For more information, visit visit information, more For Flourtown. Pike, Bethlehelem 1432 Inn, Horse Black

Visitors, friends and researchers are invited to stop by the archives at the the at archives the by stop to invited are researchers and friends Visitors,

Springfield Township Commissioners on April 14, 1939. 1939. 14, April on Commissioners Township Springfield

these plans, submitted by J.P. Schnell and Harry Dehnell, were approved by the the by approved were Dehnell, Harry and Schnell J.P. by submitted plans, these

College Avenue and Schnell Avenue. Known as the “Henry Schnell Tract,” Tract,” Schnell “Henry the as Known Avenue. Schnell and Avenue College

Mr. Thomas Keels Thomas Mr.

on College Avenue, North College Avenue, South College Avenue, West West Avenue, College South Avenue, College North Avenue, College on

Mr. Lawrence Arrigale and and Arrigale Lawrence Mr. Avenue blueprints which are dated 1939 and include plans for 70 lots lots 70 for plans include and 1939 dated are which blueprints Avenue

Grothusen. Flourtown resident Louis Bosca donated the College College the donated Bosca Louis resident Flourtown Grothusen. A Presentation by Presentation A

the mugs which were also donated by Nancy McDonald and Michael Michael and McDonald Nancy by donated also were which mugs the

of Retail of 1981 – the time of the township’s tricentennial celebration – are on on are – celebration tricentennial township’s the of time the – 1981

9516 ad 98 A pigil onhp el n te ae 1681- dates the and seal Township Springfield A 1958. and 1965-1966

Philadelphia’s Golden Age Age Golden Philadelphia’s

organizational booklet with neighborhood news and directories from 1956-1957, 1956-1957, from directories and news neighborhood with booklet organizational

by Erdenheim residents Nancy McDonald and Michael Grothusen are a 1957 1957 a are Grothusen Michael and McDonald Nancy residents Erdenheim by arch 22, 2012 – 7:30 p.m. 7:30 – 2012 22, arch M Thurs.,

College Avenue neighborhood. Among the Paper Mill Glen booklets donated donated booklets Glen Mill Paper the Among neighborhood. Avenue College

Association, two Springfield Township mugs and a blueprint of the Flourtown’s Flourtown’s the of blueprint a and mugs Township Springfield two Association,

Society archives have included several booklets printed by the Paper Mill Glen Civic Civic Glen Mill Paper the by printed booklets several included have archives Society

Recent donations to the archives of the Springfield Township Historical Historical Township Springfield the of archives the to donations Recent

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Recent Acquisitions Recent

STHS