National Register of Historic Places listings in Delaware County, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Location of Delaware County in Pennsylvania

Imagine a special list of places that are super important to history! That's what the National Register of Historic Places is all about. It's a way to recognize and protect buildings, sites, and areas that have played a big part in America's past.

This article shares a complete list of these special places in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. You can even see where many of them are on a map if their exact location is included.

Delaware County has 95 properties and districts on this important list. Seven of these are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. One property was once on the list but has since been removed.

Discovering Historic Places in Delaware County

Delaware County is full of amazing historical sites! The National Register of Historic Places helps us remember and protect these places. Let's explore some of the cool spots you can find here.

Important Buildings and Homes

Many historic places are old buildings and homes that tell us about how people lived long ago.

Old Courthouses and Public Buildings

• 1724 Chester Courthouse: Located in Chester, this old courthouse (built in 1724!) is a reminder of early government in the area. It was added to the list in 1971.
• Delaware County National Bank: Also in Chester, this bank building at 1 West Third Street was recognized in 1987.
• Media Armory: In Media, this building at 12 East State Street was designed by a famous architect named Will Price and listed in 1989.
• Chester Waterside Station of the Philadelphia Electric Company: This old power station in Chester, found at 2501 Seaport Drive, was added to the list in 2007.

Historic Homes and Estates

• Allgates: This beautiful home in Haverford Township was designed by architect Wilson Eyre and listed in 1979.
• Chad House: Located on Pennsylvania Route 100 in Chadds Ford Township, this house was listed in 1971.
• Chamberlain-Pennell House: West of Media in Chester Heights, this house was added in 1977.
• Forge Hill: Also in Chester Heights, this property was listed in 1973.
• Gilpin Homestead: On Harvey Road in Chadds Ford Township, this historic home was recognized in 1971.
• Glenays: Found at 926 Coopertown Road in Radnor Township, this property was listed in 1977.
• The Grange: In Haverford Township, this estate on Grove Place was added in 1976.
• High Hill Farm: Located at 180 Thornton Road in Concord Township, this farm was listed in 1986.
• Idlewild: This summer cottage in Upper Providence Township was owned and designed by the famous architect Frank Furness. It was listed in 2013.
• Thomas Leiper Estate: On Avondale Road in Nether Providence Township, this estate was recognized in 1970.
• Thomas Massey House: At Lawrence and Springhouse Roads in Marple Township, this house was listed in 1970.
• Melrose: On Hill Drive in Thornbury Township, this property was added in 1986.
• Ogden House: In Swarthmore, this house at 530 Cedar Lane was listed in 1979.
• Pont Reading: At 2713 Haverford Road in Haverford Township, this property was recognized in 1972.
• Dr. Samuel D. Risley House: In Media, this house at 430 North Monroe Street was added in 1990.
• Stonehaven: Located at 484 Lenni Road in Chester Heights, this property was listed in 1996.
• Thompson Cottage: Southeast of West Chester in Concord Township, this cottage was recognized in 1977.
• Westlawn: At 123 North Providence Road in Nether Providence Township, this property was added in 1988.
• Wolley Stille: On Harvey Road in Nether Providence Township, this site was listed in 1980.
• Woodcrest: On the Cabrini College campus in Radnor Township, this property was recognized in 2008.

Homes of Famous Artists

• Andrew Wyeth Studio and Kuerner Farm: This farm in Chadds Ford Township was a huge inspiration for over 1,000 paintings by the famous artist N.C. Wyeth and his son Andrew. It was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 2011.
• N. C. Wyeth House and Studio: Also in Chadds Ford Township, this was the home and studio of painter N.C. Wyeth and his family. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1997 and is managed by the Brandywine River Museum.
• Benjamin West Birthplace: On the Swarthmore College campus in Swarthmore, this is the birthplace of the famous painter Benjamin West. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

Historic Districts and Areas

Some historic listings aren't just one building, but a whole area or group of buildings that are important together.

• Henry Albertson Subdivision Historic District: This area in Lansdowne was listed in 1998.
• Brandywine Summit Camp Meeting: Located at 119 Beaver Valley Road in Concord Township, this historic meeting camp was recognized in 1995.
• Chadds Ford Historic District: This district at the junction of U.S. Route 1 and Pennsylvania Route 100 in Chadds Ford Township was listed in 1971.
• Chester Creek Historic District: North, east, and south of Glen Mills in Thornbury Township, this district was added in 1972.
• Chester Heights Camp Meeting Historic District: At 320 Valley Brook Road in Chester Heights, this district was recognized in 2001.
• Concordville Historic District: At Concord Road and Baltimore Pike in Concord Township, this district was listed in 1973.
• Downtown Wayne Historic District: This area in Radnor Township was added in 2012.
• Ivy Mills Historic District: At the corner of Ivy Mills and Pole Cat Roads in Concord Township, this district was recognized in 1972.
• Lansdowne Park Historic District: This district in Lansdowne was listed in 1987.
• Newlin Mill Complex: On South Cheyney Road in Concord Township, this complex was added in 1983.
• North Wayne Historic District: This district in Radnor Township was recognized in 1985.
• Pusey-Crozier Mill Historic District: On Race Street in Upland, this district was listed in 1976.
• Ridley Creek State Park: This large park, located northwest of Media, spans Edgmont, Middletown, and Upper Providence Townships. It was recognized as a historic district in 1976.
• Rose Valley Historic District: This district in Rose Valley was added in 2010.
• South Wayne Historic District: This district in Radnor Township was listed in 1991.
• Thornton Village Historic District: Centered on Thornton and Glen Mills Roads in Thornbury Township, this district was recognized in 2006.

Historic Battlefields and Sites

Some places are important because of major events that happened there, like battles.

• Brandywine Battlefield: This famous battlefield in Chadds Ford Township was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1966. It's where a major battle of the American Revolutionary War took place.
• William Penn Landing Site: In Chester, at Penn and Front Streets, this site marks where William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, first landed. It was recognized in 1971.
• The Printzhof: In Tinicum Township, at Taylor Avenue and 2nd Street, this site is a National Historic Landmark from 1966. It's linked to early Swedish settlements.

Old Mills, Bridges, and Schools

Other historic places include important structures like old mills, bridges, and schools.

• Bartram's Covered Bridge: West of Newtown in Newtown Township, this historic covered bridge was listed in 1980.
• Bridge in Radnor Township No. 1: This bridge on Goshen Road over Darby Creek in Radnor Township was recognized in 1988.
• Bridge in Radnor Township No. 2: Another bridge in Radnor Township, this one on Bryn Mawr Avenue over Meadow Brook Creek, was also listed in 1988.
• Crosley-Garrett Mill Workers' Housing, Store and Mill Site: This site at Paper Mill Road and St. David's Road in Newtown Township was added in 2003.
• Federal School: On Haverford-Darby Road in Haverford Township, this old school was listed in 1971.
• Hood Octagonal School: This unique eight-sided school at 3500 West Chester Pike in Newtown Square was recognized in 2006. It's on the grounds of Dunwoody Village.
• Twaddell's Mill and House: On Rock Hill Road south of Chadds Ford in Chadds Ford Township, this mill and house were listed in 1973.

Churches and Meetinghouses

Many historic churches and meetinghouses are also on the list, showing the religious history of the area.

• Chichester Friends Meetinghouse: At 611 Meetinghouse Road in Upper Chichester Township, this meetinghouse was listed in 1973.
• Concord Friends Meetinghouse: On Old Concord Road in Concord Township, this meetinghouse was recognized in 1977.
• Darby Meeting: At 1017 Main Street in Darby, this meetinghouse was added in 1978.
• Radnor Friends Meetinghouse: At Sproul and Conestoga Roads in Radnor Township, this meetinghouse was listed in 1978.
• St. David's Church and Graveyard: North of Media in Newtown Township, this church and graveyard were recognized in 1978.

Other Unique Historic Sites

• Eden Cemetery: Located at 1434 Springfield Road in Collingdale, this historic cemetery was listed in 2010.
• The Lazaretto: At Wanamaker Avenue and 2nd Street in Tinicum Township, this site was recognized in 1972. It was an early quarantine station.
• Lower Swedish Cabin: On Creek Road in Upper Darby Township, this cabin was listed in 1980. It's one of the oldest log cabins in the United States.
• Morton Homestead: At 100 Lincoln Avenue in Prospect Park, this homestead was recognized in 1970.
• Morton Morton House: At the junction of Muckinipates and Darby Creeks in Norwood, this house was listed in 2000.
• Nitre Hall: On Karakung Drive in Haverford Township, this site was added in 1970.
• Old Rose Tree Tavern: Northeast of the junction of Rose Tree and Providence Roads in Upper Providence Township, this tavern was listed in 1971 and is inside Rose Tree Park.
• William Painter Farm: Northeast of Chadds Ford on U.S. Route 1 in Chadds Ford Township, this farm was recognized in 1971.
• Caleb Pusey House: At 15 Race Street in Upland, this house was listed in 1971.
• Square Tavern: At Newtown Street Road and Goshen Road in Newtown Township, this tavern was added in 1984.
• John J. Tyler Arboretum: At 515 Painter Road in Middletown Township, this arboretum was recognized in 2003. It's a beautiful place with many different trees and plants.

Places Once Listed

Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if it is destroyed or changes too much.

• Second Street Bridge: This bridge in Chester, on Pennsylvania Route 291 over Chester Creek, was listed in 1988 but later destroyed.
• George K. Crozer Mansion: This mansion in Upland, at 6th Street, was listed in 1973 but was destroyed by fire in 1990 and then taken down.
• Bridge in Ridley Park Borough: This bridge in Ridley Park was listed in 1988 but removed in 1993.