Swedeland, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Swedeland, Pennsylvania
Matsunk
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 Swedeland, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Montgomery |
| Township | Upper Merion |
| Elevation | 128 ft (39 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,495 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
19406
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| Area code(s) | 610 and 484 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1189158 |
Swedeland is a small community in Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in Upper Merion Township, which is part of Montgomery County. This area is a suburb of the big city of Philadelphia.
In 2020, about 1,495 people lived in Swedeland. It was first started by Swedish settlers in 1710. Back then, it was called "Matsunk". The name was changed to Swedeland later, sometime in the late 1800s.
Contents
What is the History of Swedeland?
Swedeland is found along the Schuylkill River and Matsunk Creek. When it was first settled, it was a small Swedish village with about nineteen homes.
How Did Swedeland Get Started?
The area where Swedeland is located was once part of the New Sweden Colony. After the Dutch and then the English took control, a Swedish settler named Peter Yocum the Third helped establish Swedeland. This happened around 1710. William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania, offered land in this area to Swedish and Finnish colonists.
What Industries Were Important in Swedeland?
In the mid-1800s, Swedeland was a place for factories. Abraham Supplee ran a factory that made a type of fabric called Kentucky Jean. This factory employed about twenty-five workers.
The Swede Iron Company also had large operations here. They had two big furnaces and a railroad line. This railroad connected the iron ore mines to the Schuylkill River. The land around Swedeland was known for its good soil, limestone, and iron ore.
In 1919, the Alan Wood Steel Company built a huge steel plant in Swedeland. This plant also had a coking facility. Because of this, more homes were needed for the workers. The Alan Wood Steel plant operated until the early 1980s.
How Does Swedeland Help Its Community?
The Swedeland Volunteer Fire Company was started in 1920. This group of brave volunteers still helps protect the people of Upper Merion and nearby towns today.
Swedeland continues to be a place for industry. It is surrounded by large companies. These include the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline and the chemical maker Lonza. There is also the Renaissance Business Park and The Philadelphia Newspapers Incorporated Complex nearby.
