Graterford, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Graterford is a small community located in Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

This historic place was founded in 1756 by Jacob Kreator, who was a textile weaver. Graterford was first called Grater's Ford. The postal service later shortened its name to Graterford in the mid-1950s. A large state institution is located here, which was once a farm.

History and Location

Graterford is located along the Perkiomen Creek. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was a popular summer resort. People even held baptisms on a small island in the middle of the Perkiomen Creek. There is also a church in the community.

Train service to Philadelphia was available until 1955. A post office also operated here until the early 1960s. Over the years, Graterford has had many different businesses. These included a general store, a hardware store, a bakery, and even three hotels.

Graterford's Growth

Graterford was mostly a farming area until the mid-1900s. It is about 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Graterford is right in the center of Perkiomen Township. The Perkiomen Valley School District High School is also located here.

The area is very scenic, thanks to the Perkiomen Creek and two smaller streams, Lodal Creek and Landis Run. The name Graterford is slowly becoming less common. Many newer residents use the name of nearby Collegeville, since Graterford shares its postal zip code. Other interesting places nearby include the Perkiomen Trail and Central Perkiomen Valley Park.

Graterford is its own community, separate from Collegeville. The number of people living here has grown a lot in the last 10 years. This is because farmers have sold land to companies that build new houses.

Education

All students living in Perkiomen Township attend schools in the Perkiomen Valley School District. Residents of Graterford are assigned to Perkiomen Valley High School.