Eddystone, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eddystone, Pennsylvania
Borough
Eddystone United Methodist Church
Location in Delaware County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Eddystone, Pennsylvania Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Eddystone, Pennsylvania Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Delaware
Settled	1641
Area
• Total	1.52 sq mi (3.94 km2)
• Land	0.99 sq mi (2.58 km2)
• Water	0.53 sq mi (1.37 km2)
Elevation	20 ft (6 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,459
• Density	2,471.36/sq mi (954.64/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	19022
Area code(s)	610
FIPS code	42-22296

Eddystone is a small town, also known as a borough, located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 2,459 people lived there.

History of Eddystone

Early Settlement and Founding

The area where Eddystone is now was first called "Tequirassy" by the Native Americans. The land was later owned by Olof Persson Stille, who came from Sweden in 1641. He was a skilled mill builder. After the Dutch took over the colony in 1658, Olof Stille became a judge. He was one of the first judges on the banks of the Delaware.

The borough of Eddystone grew around a large factory called the Eddystone Print Works. This factory was started by William Simpson & Sons in October 1873. They chose this spot after their old factory had to close.

Becoming a Borough

Eddystone officially became a borough on December 7, 1888. Some people tried to stop it in court. They worried that the nearby Ridley Township would lose money. But the court decided that while Ridley's money might decrease, so would its responsibilities.

Important Events

On April 10, 1917, there was a big event at the Eddystone Ammunition Corporation. An explosion happened, and 133 workers lost their lives. Most of them were women.

Education for Kids

Children in Eddystone go to school at the Eddystone Elementary School. It is located on 9th Street. This school is built on the same spot where the old Eddystone High School once stood. That high school burned down in 1960. During that time, students went to Eddystone United Methodist Church for classes. Many older people in Eddystone still remember going to school in the church.

After fifth grade, students move on to Ridley Middle School. This school is part of the Ridley School District.

Where is Eddystone?

Eddystone is in the southern part of Delaware County. It sits on the north bank of the Delaware River. To its east is Crum Creek, and to its west is Ridley Creek. Ridley Township is to the north and east. The city of Chester is on its western side. Across the Delaware River to the south is Gloucester County, New Jersey.

The U.S. Census Bureau says Eddystone covers about 3.9 square kilometers (1.5 square miles). About 2.6 square kilometers (0.99 square miles) is land. The rest, about 1.4 square kilometers (0.53 square miles), is water, mostly from the Delaware River.

Why the Name Eddystone?

Eddystone got its name from William Simpson. He was so impressed by the Eddystone Lighthouse when he visited England. He decided to name the town and the print works he started after it.

Who Lives in Eddystone?

In 2010, the people living in Eddystone were mostly White (82.7%). There were also African American (11.7%), Asian (1.3%), and Native American (0.1%) residents. Some people were from other races (1.0%) or from two or more races (3.2%). About 4.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In 2000, there were 2,442 people living in Eddystone. About 28.4% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age was 36 years.

Eddystone's Factories and Jobs

An old factory building in Eddystone

Eddystone has a long history of big factories. The Eddystone Arsenal became the largest factory for Baldwin Locomotive Works. Baldwin used to be the biggest maker of steam locomotives in the world. Today, a power plant called Exelon is located along the river.

During World War I, a company called Remington Arms opened the Eddystone Rifle Plant. It made rifles for soldiers. Many of the rifles used by American soldiers in World War I were made right here in Eddystone.

Baldwin also started another company called Eddystone Ammunition Corporation in 1915. This company made artillery shells. On April 10, 1917, there was an explosion at this plant, which was a very sad event. A monument in the Chester Rural Cemetery remembers those who were not identified.

Today, a Boeing plant that makes parts for military helicopters operates in the area.

Churches in Eddystone

The Eddystone United Methodist Church was started in 1891. The Simpson Family, who owned the Eddystone Print Works, were big supporters of this church. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia also has Catholic churches in the area. St. Rose of Lima Church, which began in 1890, is in Eddystone.

Local Culture

Eddystone is home to the headquarters of the St. James High School for Boys alumni association. This building has a banquet area, a bar, and even a chapel. It's like a small museum for everything related to St. James High School.

Getting Around Eddystone

US 13 northbound on the northwestern edge of Eddystone

In 2010, Eddystone had about 6.72 miles of public roads. Some roads are kept up by the state, and others by the borough.

Two main highways go through Eddystone. U.S. Route 13 (Chester Pike) runs along the northwestern side. Pennsylvania Route 291 (Industrial Highway) goes through the middle of the borough.

Eddystone SEPTA station

Eddystone also has its own train station, called Eddystone Station. It's on the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line. You can also catch SEPTA buses here. Bus route 37 goes to Philadelphia International Airport, and bus route 114 goes to Chester and Penn State Brandywine.

Famous People from Eddystone

• Jennifer Aniston, a well-known actress.
• Margaret Mattson, a local landowner from history.

See also

In Spanish: Eddystone para niños