Towamencin Township, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Towamencin Township
Home rule municipality Second Class Township
Edward Morgan Log House
Seal
Motto(s):  A Community of Tradition and Vision
Location of Towamencin Township in Montgomery County
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Montgomery
Erected	1729
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• Total	9.68 sq mi (25.1 km2)
• Land	9.68 sq mi (25.1 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	226 ft (69 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	17,578
• Estimate  (2018)	18,491
• Density	1,815.9/sq mi (701.1/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code(s)	215, 267, 445, 610, 484
FIPS code	42-091-77152

Towamencin Township is a special kind of town in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It's called a home rule township. In 2010, about 17,578 people lived here. Towamencin is part of the North Penn School District. It's known for its homes, old farmhouses, fun parks, many schools, and open spaces. The area has a mix of homes, businesses, and rural spots. It's easy to get to from the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Northeast Extension.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Towamencin

The name Towamencin comes from Native American languages. But people don't fully agree on what it means!

Early Names and Spellings

Some old records, like the 1850 census, spell the name "Towamensing." This spelling even showed up on local tax papers until 1922. However, the 1920 census used the modern spelling, "Towamencin." Both spellings were used around 1884. It's not clear exactly when "Towamencin" became the only way to spell it.

Native American Meanings

The name "Towamensing" comes from the Lenape people. It might mean "the place where cattle feed" or "pasture land." It could also mean "a place to cross the river at the falls."

Another idea is that Towamencin means "poplar tree."

Named After a Creek?

A third idea is that the town was named after Towamencin Creek, not the other way around. When people asked to form the township, they wrote that they wanted it called "Touamensen." This was the "Indian name of the Creek that springs & runs through the same."

A Local Legend

There's a fun local story too! A landowner named Heinrich Fry bought land near Towamencin Creek. A Native American chief, who spoke a little English, saw two men clearing trees. He said "Towha-men-seen," meaning "Two men seen." The story says this phrase stuck, and that's how Towamencin got its name.

A Look Back: Towamencin's History

First Settlers Arrive

The first people to settle in Towamencin Township arrived around the early 1700s. They were mostly from Germany, Wales, and the Netherlands. They made their living by farming.

The very first land grant in Towamencin was in 1703. William Penn's helpers gave 1,000 acres (4 km²) to Benjamin Furley. Later, Abraham Tennis and Jan Lucken bought this land. The Edward Morgan Log House stands on land that was part of a larger grant. Edward Morgan bought 309 acres (1.25 km²) in 1708. This land already had a "dwelling house" on it. His daughter, Sarah, later gave birth to the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone in 1734.

Towamencin Township officially started in 1729. A group of people asked for a new township of about 5,500 acres.

The Lenni Lenape People

The Native Americans who lived in this area were the Lenni Lenape. They lived in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and parts of Maryland. They had different groups, like the Turtle, Turkeys, and Wolf tribes.

The Lenni Lenape in Towamencin Township were part of the Delaware Nation. They had a village in the southwest part of the township, along Towamencin Creek. They were friendly with the first settlers. There are stories of them helping sick settlers and trading food. It's not known exactly when they left Towamencin, but it was likely after the Revolutionary War.

You can see a Native American in the middle of the Maltese Cross on the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company's symbol.

Towamencin and the Revolutionary War

Pennsylvania is called the "Keystone State" because it was so important in the Revolution. Towamencin Township played a part too!

Washington's Troops in Towamencin

Continental Army soldiers were in Towamencin from October 8 to October 16, 1777. They camped in the northern part of the township. This area was safe for them to rest without worrying about a surprise attack from the British.

General Washington used Frederick Wampole's house as his headquarters. This house was on Wambold Road.

A General's Burial Place

General Francis Nash was hurt in the Battle of Germantown. He was brought to Towamencin for care. He died two days later and is buried at the Towamencin Mennonite Church cemetery.

Damages to Property

Henry Cassel, whose land was used by Washington's Army, asked for money for damages. The soldiers used 696 fence rails for firewood! It cost 8.14 pounds to replace them. We don't know if the new government ever paid him.

Becoming a Home Rule Township

In May 2022, the Towamencin Board of Supervisors decided to sell the township's sewer system. Some residents were against this. A group called Towamencin N.O.P.E. (Neighbors Opposing Privatization Efforts) formed to try and stop the sale.

After the sale was approved, Towamencin NOPE started campaigning for the township to become a home rule municipality. This would give the township more control over its own laws. On November 8, 2022, residents voted to create a group to write a home rule charter. The candidates supported by Towamencin NOPE were elected to this group.

In March 2023, the group suggested a new home rule charter. It would keep the current government style but add rules for more openness. It would also stop the sale of town-owned water systems. Plus, it would let residents suggest new laws or votes.

On May 16, 2023, the residents voted to adopt this new home rule charter. About 53% of voters said yes! The new charter started on July 1, 2023.

Towamencin's Location and Landscape

Towamencin Township covers about 9.7 square miles (25.1 km²). It's all land, with no large bodies of water. Water from the township flows into the Skippack Creek, then the Perkiomen Creek, and finally the Schuylkill River. Small communities within Towamencin include Inglewood, Kulpsville, and Oak Park.

Weather in Towamencin

Towamencin has a humid continental climate. This means it has hot summers. The warmest month is usually July, with an average high temperature of about 85.7 °F (29.8 °C). January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of about 31 °F (-0.5 °C).

The highest temperature ever recorded here was 103.2 °F (39.6 °C) in 2011. The lowest was -10.7 °F (-23.7 °C) in 1984.

Who Lives in Towamencin?

In 2010, most people in Towamencin were White (85.1%). There were also Black or African American (4.1%), Asian (8.4%), and people of two or more races (1.6%). About 2.5% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino background.

In 2000, there were 17,597 people living in the township. The average household had 2.55 people, and the average family had 3.11 people.

About 25.2% of the population was under 18 years old. The median age was 38 years. The median income for a family was $80,167. Only a small number of families (1.4%) lived below the poverty line.

Towamencin's Economy and Jobs

The North American headquarters of SKF is located in Towamencin; the company is one of the largest employers in the township.

For a long time, Towamencin was a farming community. Its economy was based on agriculture. In the late 1700s, it also had two inns and four mills. By 1884, even though farming was still important, the township also had "two hotels, one store, [and] several carriage manufacturies." An old mill from 1894 is now a restaurant.

Today, Towamencin is a suburban area. Its economy has changed from farming. Most people who live in Towamencin travel to other places for work. Only 6% of people both live and work within the township. The average travel time for residents is 31 minutes.

The biggest employer in Towamencin is the North Penn School District. Other major employers are Greene Tweed & Company, Inc., and SKF USA. These companies are in the manufacturing sector, meaning they make things.

Getting Around Towamencin

I-476/Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension southbound in Towamencin Township

As of 2016, Towamencin Township had about 73.91 miles of public roads.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) is the main highway. It runs through the middle of the township. You can get on or off it at Pennsylvania Route 63. PA 63 also runs through the northern parts of the township. Another highway, Pennsylvania Route 363, is along the southeastern edge of the township.

SEPTA provides bus service to the northeastern part of Towamencin. The Route 132 bus goes between the Montgomery Mall and Telford. The Lansdale station for SEPTA Regional Rail is in nearby Lansdale.

Learning in Towamencin

Towamencin is part of the North Penn School District. North Penn High School is located right in the township. Also, General Nash, Walton Farm, and Inglewood elementary schools are here. Private schools include Dock Mennonite Academy and Calvary Baptist School.

Towamencin is also home to the North Montco Technical Career Center. This is a vocational school where students can learn job skills. Several school districts work together to run it.

The Culinary Arts Institute of Montgomery County Community College is also in downtown Towamencin.

Fun and Games: Parks and Recreation

Arneth Entertainment Center

Local Artists Design Memory Wall Students from General Nash, Walton Farm, and Inglewood Elementary along with members of the North Penn High School Art Club created more than 75 original ceramic tiles depicting "Life in Fischer's Park". Mounted in a fieldstone masonry wall, it serves as a perfect gateway to the Arneth Entertainment Center.

Towamencin has over 10 parks and open spaces, covering more than 300 acres (1.2 km²). These range from small neighborhood spots to large fields. Some areas are natural, while others have tennis courts, playgrounds, jogging trails, picnic areas, sports fields, basketball courts, and sand volleyball courts.

In 2006, the township made a plan to protect open spaces.

• Fischer's Park is the biggest park in the township. It's 77 acres (0.31 km²) and has many wooded areas, open fields, and over 3 miles (4.8 km) of nature trails. These trails let you explore wetlands, marshlands, and animal habitats. The park also has places for picnics and cookouts. At the center is the Arneth Entertainment Center (AEC). This is a great spot for concerts, plays, outdoor movies, and art events.
• Bustard Road Park is the main sports facility. It has 10 junior league baseball fields, 2 girls' softball fields, and 3 soccer fields. Many youth sports leagues and camps use this park.
• Grist Mill Park has a new soccer field used by local youth groups and the school district. This 54-acre (0.22 km²) natural area was set aside when the Grist Mill Neighborhood was built. It's where the Towamencin Creek begins, offering a chance to see different plants and animals.
• Kibler Meadows is the newest open space, added in 2005. It's about 35 acres (0.14 km²) of land.

Firehouse Park

Veterans Memorial

• Firehouse Park is a nice place for a walk. In 1996, a local resident put a plaque and a old cannon in the park. This was his Eagle Scout project to honor veterans who served since 1728, including those from the Revolutionary War. In 2007, the township decided to build a Veterans Memorial in the park.

Towamencin Pool

• Township Pools offer four different pools: a competition pool with diving boards, a baby pool with a mushroom fountain, and a leisure pool with a water slide, spray fountains, and tumbling water buckets. There's also a bathhouse, concession stand, and picnic area. Swim lessons are available, along with special events for pool members.

The township is also building a 33-mile (53 km) trail system. This will connect neighborhoods, parks, historical sites, and stores. It's a growing project that will offer a safe way to travel around the township without a car.

The Parks and Recreation Department plans and runs recreation activities. Youth Sports Leagues are run by TYA.

Towamencin also shares the Mainland Golf Course with Lower Salford Township.

Sister City

Towamencin has a twin town:

• Rawa, Iraq

Famous People from Towamencin

• Gertrude Alderfer, a women's baseball player.
• Jay Caufield, an NHL right winger.
• Jon Striefsky, an Arena Football League player.