Port Kennedy, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Port Kennedy, Pennsylvania
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Unincorporated community
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"Port Kennedy, Pa. Hotel and Station" (1907).
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 Port Kennedy, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Montgomery |
| Township | Upper Merion |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 610 and 484 |
Port Kennedy was once a busy industrial village in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania. It was located where the U.S. Route 422 highway now crosses the Schuylkill River. This area is in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.
Contents
A Look Back at Port Kennedy
Port Kennedy grew up next to the Schuylkill Canal. Later, the Reading Railroad came through in 1838. This made the village a busy place for the lime industry in the 1800s. Lime is a material made from rocks, used for building and in farms. The village got its name from Alexander Kennedy. He owned the quarries (where rocks are dug) and kilns (big ovens) that made the lime.
Discovering Ancient Fossils
Starting in 1871, many important fossils were found in Port Kennedy. These fossils were from ancient animals. The exact spot where they were found was forgotten for a long time. But in 2006, the Port Kennedy Bone Cave was rediscovered! This cave is a very important place for scientists studying ancient life.
Building a New Highway
In 1964, plans began for a new highway, U.S. Route 422. This highway would connect the Schuylkill Expressway (Interstate 76) to Trooper Road. To build this big road and the Betzwood Bridge, most of the old Port Kennedy village had to be taken down. The new highway opened in 1967.
Expanding Valley Forge Park
In 1978, the National Park Service bought land west of the new highway. They did this to make Valley Forge National Historical Park bigger. This park is a famous historical site from the American Revolutionary War.
What Remains Today
Today, U.S. Route 422 runs right between two important buildings from the old village. These are the First Presbyterian Church of Port Kennedy, built in 1845, and the Kennedy Mansion, built in 1852. Along with the old Reading Railroad station and one house, these are the only buildings left from the original Port Kennedy village.
