Garrett Hill, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Garrett Hill, Pennsylvania
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Annual 4th of July Parade: Lowrys Lane
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 Garrett Hill, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Garrett Hill, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Delaware |
| Township | Radnor |
| Elevation | 433 ft (132 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 610 |
Garrett Hill is a small community in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, United States. It is about eight miles northwest of Philadelphia. This area is part of the Bryn Mawr ZIP code and is near Rosemont.
Garrett Hill is bordered by Lancaster Avenue, Lewis Lane, Garrett Avenue, and Lowrys Lane. Conestoga Road runs through the middle of the community. Many people who live here have jobs that involve hands-on work. The community is also located along the Pennsylvania Railroad Main Line.
You can get around Garrett Hill using its own train stop, Garrett Hill station. This station is on the Norristown High Speed Line, which used to be called the Philadelphia and Western Railway.
Garrett Hill is mostly a place where people live. However, it also has a small area with shops and businesses. These are located near Conestoga Road and Garrett Avenue. They serve the local community and students from nearby Villanova University.
One fun tradition in Garrett Hill is the annual Fourth of July parade. After the parade, there's a free picnic with live music and other fun activities. This event takes place in Clem Macrone Park. Most of the homes in Garrett Hill were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They include Victorian styles and brick duplex homes.
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Garrett Hill's Early History
The land that is now Garrett Hill was first settled by the family of David James and Margaret Mortimer. They came from Wales and arrived in Pennsylvania on October 28, 1682. They sailed on a ship called the Bristol Factor. This ship was one of many that William Penn used to bring Welsh Quakers to Pennsylvania. Penn wanted to create a special Welsh area for them.
In 1682, Garrett Hill was part of a large area known as The Welsh Tract. Radnor Township got its name because many settlers, like the James family, came directly from Radnorshire, Wales.
When the James family arrived, Garrett Hill was still a wilderness. David James had bought "rights" to 100 acres of land here. The James family were the very first people to live in Garrett Hill. They spent their first winter, from 1682 to 1683, living in a cave. This cave was near where the Radnor United Methodist Church is today.
In 1718, the James family gained another 153 acres of Garrett Hill. This land came from David Meredith. In 1739, David James, who founded Garrett Hill, passed away. He was buried in the cemetery at the Great Valley Baptist Church in Devon. You can still find his tombstone there.
Garrett Hill During the American Revolution
During the American Revolutionary War, two of David James' grandsons helped fight for freedom. Daniel James and Elias James served under General George Washington. In 1777, Evan James was a lieutenant in the Chester County Pennsylvania Militia.
The British Army raided and occupied the James family's farm during the war. They took all the family's food, animals, and household items. This was a punishment because the family supported the American rebels. After the war, the James family did not have to pay taxes for five years. This was a reward for their service to the new nation.
How Garrett Hill Got Its Name
Around 1780, local Methodists started meeting at the James family's old home, called the Old James Mansion. In 1783, Evan James, David James' son, gave half an acre of land to the Radnor United Methodist Church. This land was where the family first arrived in 1682. After this, the area became known as "Methodist Hill." Before that, it was called "James Hill."
The name "Garrett Hill" came about when a stone quarry and brickyard opened in the area. These industries brought many workers, and a community grew up around them. The workers lived close to their jobs at the quarry and brickyard, which are now gone. Some residents also worked at the large estates common in the area.
Notable Person from Garrett Hill
- Emlen Tunnell was a famous football player. He was the first African-American person to be included in the Professional Football Hall of Fame.
