Radnor Township, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Radnor Township
Township with home rule
Township of Radnor
Clockwise from top: Memorial mile post in Downtown Wayne; Radnor Friends Meetinghouse; St. Thomas Augustinian Monastery; Villanova University; Garrett Hill Independence Day Parade; Wayne Hotel
Seal Logo
Etymology: Named for Radnorshire, Wales
Motto(s):  "Best of the Main Line"
Location of Radnor Township in Delaware County and of Delaware County in Pennsylvania
Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Delaware
Historic colony	Province of Pennsylvania
Founded	1682
Incorporated	1901
Founded by	William Penn
Government
• Type	Board of Commissioners
Area
• Total	13.79 sq mi (35.72 km2)
• Land	13.78 sq mi (35.68 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation	381 ft (116 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	31,531
• Estimate  (2019)	31,875
• Density	2,309.38/sq mi (891.64/km2)
Demonym(s)	Radnorite
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	190xx
Area codes	484 and 610
FIPS code	42-045-63264
Interstates
U.S. Routes
Commuter rail	Paoli/Thorndale Line
Rapid transit	Norristown High Speed Line
Website	Radnor Township

Radnor Township, often called simply Radnor, is a special type of local government area in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's known as a "first class township" with "home rule status," meaning it has more power to make its own local laws.

Radnor Township is part of the famous Main Line area near Philadelphia. This area got its name from the main railway line that connected many wealthy suburbs. In 2019, about 31,875 people lived in Radnor. It is the largest local government area in Delaware County by land size and the fourth largest by population.

Radnor Township is one of the oldest communities in Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1682 as part of the Welsh tract. The first settlers were Quakers from Wales who spoke Welsh. They wanted to create a special area where they could live and govern themselves using their own language. William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania, helped set up the township. Its borders have stayed the same since it was created.

In 1717, the Welsh Quakers built a meeting house in Radnor Township. This meeting house became the center of the community for 200 years. The township was named Radnor after a county in Wales called Radnorshire. Even though the Welsh influence became less strong over time, you can still see hints of it in street names and places, like the St. Davids neighborhood, which is named after Saint David, the patron saint of Wales.

Many colleges and universities are in Radnor Township. The two biggest are Villanova University and Cabrini University. You can also find Valley Forge Military Academy and College in the Wayne area and Eastern University in St. Davids.

History of Radnor Township

Early Colonial Times

In 1681, a man named Richard Davies bought 5,000 acres of land from William Penn. Much of this land is where Radnor Township is today. The township was part of the Welsh Tract and got its name from Radnorshire in Wales.

In 1717, the Welsh Quakers built their meeting house, called the Radnor Friends Meetinghouse. It was located near what is now the crossing of Conestoga Road and Sproul Road. A new town, "Radnorville," grew around this meeting house. It was later known as "Ithan" after the nearby Ithan Creek. Over time, many Welsh settlers left the area because of high taxes. Today, stone monuments around the township remind people of its Welsh beginnings.

18th Century Changes

In 1794, the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike was built through Radnor Township. This was the very first toll road in the United States! It connected the cities of Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Over time, many businesses opened along this road, which is now known as Lancaster Avenue. Lancaster Avenue is the busiest road in Radnor Township, and it's home to important places like Villanova University and Downtown Wayne.

The Columbia Railroad also came through the township in 1832. This railroad later became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Because of this, Radnor Township became part of the "Main Line" suburbs of Philadelphia. Today, the SEPTA (Philadelphia's public transportation system) still uses these railway lines for its Paoli/Thorndale Line and Amtrak trains.

Growth in the 19th and 20th Centuries

In the 1880s, George W. Childs bought land in the Louella community in western Radnor Township. He renamed the area Wayne, Pennsylvania (after the American Revolutionary War hero Anthony Wayne). He then created one of the first planned suburban communities in the United States.

Another railway, the Philadelphia and Western Railroad, opened in Radnor Township in the early 1900s. Today, parts of this old railway are still used by SEPTA's Norristown High Speed Line. Other parts have been turned into walking trails for everyone to enjoy.

Geography and Climate

An 1895 map showing most of Radnor Township together with other communities on the Pennsylvania Main Line

Radnor Township covers about 13.8 square miles (35.7 square kilometers) of land. Only a tiny part, 0.07%, is water. Important waterways in the township include Darby Creek, Ithan Creek, Little Darby Creek, Meadowbrook Run, and Gulph Creek.

Weather in Radnor Township

Radnor Township has a climate with hot summers. The average monthly temperatures in St. Davids range from about 30.7°F (minus 0.7°C) in January to 75.4°F (24.1°C) in July.

Neighboring Towns and Areas

Radnor Township shares its borders with several other communities:

• Northwest: Tredyffrin Township
• North and Northeast: Upper Merion Township
• East: Lower Merion Township
• Southeast: Haverford Township
• South: Marple Township
• Southwest: Newtown Township
• West: Easttown Township

Neighborhoods of Radnor

Radnor Township has many different neighborhoods. Some have clear boundaries, while others blend together. The area of Wayne is divided into smaller historic districts:

• North Wayne Historic District and South Wayne Historic District are mostly for homes.
• The Downtown Wayne Historic District is for businesses and shops.

Other neighborhoods that are mainly residential include St. Davids, Ithan, and Rosemont. The communities of Garrett Hill and Villanova are known for having many Catholic residents. Some neighborhoods, like Strafford and Bryn Mawr, are split between Radnor and other nearby townships.

People and Culture

Population and Diversity

As of the 2010 census, Radnor Township had a population of 31,531 people. Most residents were White (85.8%), with smaller percentages of Asian (7.9%), African American (3.9%), and other groups. About 3.0% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Religious Life in Radnor

Pennsylvania was special because it allowed people to practice different religions freely. This led to a wide variety of faiths in Radnor, which continues today.

Quakerism came to Radnor when William Penn gave land to Welsh settlers. The Radnor Friends Meetinghouse was built in 1717. Later, in the 1800s, many Irish, Italian, and Polish immigrants moved to the area. This led to the growth of Catholic communities in Garrett Hill and Villanova. The founding of Villanova University and Cabrini University further helped these Catholic communities grow.

The largest religious group in Radnor Township is the Catholic Church. Almost half of Radnor residents are Catholic. There are five Catholic churches serving the area: St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, St. Katharine of Siena Parish, SS. Colman and John Neumann Parish, Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, and St. Monica Parish.

St. David's Episcopal Church is one of the oldest churches in Radnor and in the United States. Its churchyard and buildings date back to 1715.

Important Landmarks

St. Thomas of Villanova Church, the parish church and university chapel of Villanova University

St. Thomas of Villanova Church in Villanova is famous for its beautiful Gothic revival style. Built between 1883 and 1887, it was once the tallest building between the Delaware River and Lancaster. Inside, the church is mostly white with blue stained glass windows. Many of its original decorations are still there, though some have been moved. The windows in the main part of the church show scenes from the life of St. Augustine.

St. David's Episcopal Church is another historic site. Its graveyard and buildings, which started in 1715, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many important people are buried there, including the famous Revolutionary War general, “Mad” Anthony Wayne.

Several other historic places in Radnor Township are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include:

• The Bridge in Radnor Township No.1
• The Bridge in Radnor Township No.2
• Camp-Woods
• Chanticleer
• Downtown Wayne Historic District
• Glenays
• North Wayne Historic District
• Pennsylvania Railroad Station at Wayne
• Radnor Friends Meetinghouse
• South Wayne Historic District
• Wayne Hotel
• Woodcrest

Another historic spot is the Sorrel Horse, which used to be a tavern. It's said that George Washington and Lafayette stayed there during the Continental Army's retreat after the Battle of Brandywine.

Economy and Jobs

Lincoln Financial Group, a large financial company, has its main office in Radnor Township. In 2007, they moved 400 employees, including their top leaders, to Radnor from Philadelphia. Other companies based in Radnor Township include J. G. Wentworth, TV Guide magazine, and Airgas.

Top Employers in Radnor

The main house at Chanticleer Garden

Here are the top employers in Radnor Township, based on a 2013 report:

Education in Radnor

Schools for Kids and Teens

Public Schools

Students in Radnor Township go to schools in the Radnor Township School District. Radnor High School is the only public high school, and Radnor Middle School is the only public middle school. There are three elementary schools in the district: Radnor Elementary School, Ithan Elementary School, and Wayne Elementary School.

Private Schools

• Archbishop John Carroll High School is a Catholic high school.
• Valley Forge Military Academy and College has a boarding school program for students in seventh through twelfth grades.
• The Agnes Irwin School is an all-girls school for students from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade.
• St. Katharine of Siena is a Catholic school in Wayne for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
• The Hill Top Preparatory School in Ithan helps students with learning disabilities from fifth through twelfth grade.
• Armenian Sisters Academy, an Armenian primary school, is located nearby in Upper Merion Township, but has a Radnor mailing address.

Colleges and Universities

Villanova University, Eastern University, and Cabrini University are all located within Radnor Township. Valley Forge Military Academy and College also has a two-year junior college program.

Sports in Radnor

Radnor Township is home to the sports teams of its universities:

• The Villanova Wildcats from Villanova University (NCAA Division I)
• The Cabrini Cavaliers from Cabrini University (NCAA Division III)
• The Eastern Eagles from Eastern University (NCAA Division III)

The Villanova Wildcats have a very successful sports program, especially their men's basketball team. They are often ranked among the top teams in the country. They won the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 1985, 2016, and 2018. After each championship, students celebrated at the intersection of Lancaster and Ithan Avenues.

The Cabrini Cavaliers won their first NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship in 2019. They beat the Amherst Mammoths with a score of 16–12.

Transportation in Radnor

Getting Around by Public Transit

Goshen Road Bridge

Radnor Township has several public transportation options provided by SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority).

The SEPTA Regional Rail's Paoli/Thorndale Line has train stations in the township at Wayne, St. Davids, Radnor, and Villanova.

The eastern part of Radnor Township is served by SEPTA's Norristown High Speed Line. This is a fast train line with seven stations in Radnor Township: Bryn Mawr, Roberts Road, Garrett Hill, Stadium – Ithan Avenue, Villanova, Radnor, and County Line.

The SEPTA Suburban Bus Route 106 travels through the center of Radnor Township along Lancaster Avenue. It connects communities like Rosemont, Villanova, St. Davids, Radnor, and Wayne. You can take it west to Paoli or east to the 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, Upper Darby.

Major Roads and Highways

I-476, also known as the "Blue Route", northbound in Radnor Township

As of 2018, Radnor Township had about 119 miles (191 kilometers) of public roads. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintains about 33.6 miles, and the township maintains the rest.

Important highways in Radnor Township include:

• U.S. Route 30: This road goes east-west through the township on Lancaster Avenue, which is part of the historic Lincoln Highway.
• Pennsylvania Route 320: This road goes north-south along Sproul Road and Spring Mill Road.
• Interstate 476: Also known as the "Blue Route," this highway goes north-south through the township and connects with US 30.

Healthcare Services

The main offices for Main Line Health and Thomas Jefferson University's Marcus Institute clinic are located in the Radnor Financial Center. In 2020, Penn Medicine opened a new hospital called Penn Medicine Radnor right next to the Blue Route highway.

Famous People from Radnor

Many notable people have connections to Radnor Township:

• Jacob M. Appel: A novelist who wrote Einstein's Beach House.
• Jane Barkman: An Olympic swimmer.
• David Brooks: A well-known journalist.
• Randal Kleiser: A movie director, famous for films like Grease and The Blue Lagoon.
• Thomas F. Wilson: An actor, best known for playing Biff in the Back to the Future movies.
• Joshua Wurman: An atmospheric scientist.

Radnor in Pop Culture

The movie Taps was filmed at Valley Forge Military Academy and College, which is located in Radnor Township.