Saint Peters, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saint Peters, Pennsylvania
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Unincorporated community
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 Saint Peters, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Saint Peters, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Chester |
| Township | Warwick |
| Elevation | 423 ft (129 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
19470
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| Area code(s) | 610 and 484 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1204576 |
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St. Peters Village Historic District
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The village, looking north on St. Peter's Road
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| Nearest city | Knauertown, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1860 |
| Architect | Knauer, Davis |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 03001189 |
| Added to NRHP | November 21, 2003 |
Saint Peters is a cool old village in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was built a long time ago, in the 1800s, as a place where people worked in factories and mines. It's located near the French Creek in Warwick Township. The village is also part of a large forest area called the Hopewell Big Woods.
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Exploring Saint Peters' Location
This village sits in a narrow valley, right next to French Creek. The creek has special "falls" where it flows over very hard rocks called diabase. These rocks are also known as "trap rock."
How the Falls Were Formed
Over many years, the water in French Creek has worn away the diabase rocks. This has caused huge boulders to break off and fall into the creek. In some spots, these giant rocks almost fill the entire creek bed!
Rocks and Iron Ore
The same type of rock that created the falls also led to something important nearby. When the hot, melted rock (called igneous rock) pushed up from underground, it changed the surrounding limestone or marble. This process created valuable iron ores in the area.
The History of Saint Peters Village
The presence of iron ore was a big deal for Saint Peters. It led to the opening of the French Creek iron mines in 1845.
From Industry to Tourism
Later, in 1880, people started digging up the diabase rock, which they called "black granite." Around the same time, a hotel called the "Excursion House" opened. This meant Saint Peters was not just an industrial town, but also a fun place for people to visit on weekends. Most of the homes and shops you see today were built after the hotel opened.
Railroads and Industry
In the past, train tracks from the Reading Company and Delaware River and Lancaster lines ran through the village. These trains helped move materials for the local mining, metalworking, and quarrying businesses.
Preserving the Past
By the early 1970s, the industrial work in Saint Peters stopped. The village owners then decided to turn it into a place for tourists. The Knauer family owned the village until 1978. After that, it changed owners a few times, and some parts are now privately owned.
Thanks to efforts to protect its history, the village still looks much like it did long ago. Local rules prevent changes to the outside of old buildings. They also limit new construction in and around the village.
Village Life Today
The main road, St. Peter's Road, has many private homes. You'll also find a hotel, a restaurant, and several small specialty shops. The French Creek, with its many boulders, runs right next to the road. It's one of the most popular attractions in the area.
In 2003, Saint Peters Village was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Images for kids
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Rocks on French Creek
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Rocks at Saint Peters, Pennsylvania
