Wawa, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wawa, Pennsylvania
|
|
|---|---|
The Wawa dairy building
|
|
 Wawa, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Wawa, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Delaware |
| Borough | Chester Heights (partial) |
| Township | Middletown Township (partial) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
19063
|
| Area code(s) | 610 and 484 |
Wawa is a small community in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It's not a city or town with official borders. Instead, it's an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that are part of larger townships or boroughs. Wawa is located partly in Middletown Township and partly in Chester Heights Borough.
Contents
History of Wawa
In the 1700s, people from Philadelphia and New Jersey moved to Wawa. They liked the area because it had lots of water. Many mills, like those for grinding grain or making paper, opened along the creeks.
Wawa was first called "Pennellton" and later "Grubb's Bridge." A man named Edward Worth built a large home here. He named his estate "Wawa." This name comes from the Ojibwe language and means "wild goose." He chose this name because many geese gathered in the calm water behind the Lenni milldam. By 1884, the name "Wawa" was used for the whole community. A historic place called Forge Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Some people feel that Wawa is mostly known for the Wawa convenience stores today. However, the community has a rich past, especially with its dairy farms. The Wawa company itself started as a dairy.
In 1989, Wawa Inc. wanted to make its dairy bigger. This dairy is in Middletown Township. Local residents were concerned about the expansion. They preferred having the dairy to other types of new buildings.
Geography of Wawa
Wawa is located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It stretches across parts of Middletown Township and Chester Heights Borough. The community existed before these towns had their current borders.
In 1989, Wawa had many open fields and large estates. It was also home to the main offices of Wawa Inc.. At that time, it had what might have been the last dairy farm in Delaware County. This dairy farm helped keep Wawa a green and natural area.
Baltimore Pike is a main road that divides Wawa into two parts. In 1989, this road often had a lot of traffic.
What Wawa Looks Like
Wawa is known for its open spaces and natural beauty. The Wawa Inc. dairy and the Wood family, who owned much of the land, helped keep it this way. Many houses in Wawa are old stone homes built in the 1700s. Some are wooden houses from the 1800s with big porches.
Roads like Valley Road and Wawa Road are narrow and winding. They go through pretty, tree-filled areas. You only see a house every now and then. Many people in Wawa live on land that used to be part of the Wawa dairy farm. The dairy started selling parts of its farmland in 1940. Residents appreciate the dairy for keeping Wawa green.
Where Are Wawa's Borders?
It's actually a bit tricky to say exactly where Wawa begins and ends! Many people want to live there, so they say they do. However, no one has ever drawn a clear line on a map.
The manager of Middletown Township once said that "No one's ever drawn a line on a map saying this is where Wawa begins and ends." A vice president from Wawa Inc. said, "Wawa is a state of mind." This means if you feel like you're in Wawa, you are! Many residents who live on land that used to be for cows feel they are truly in Wawa.
Wawa's Population
In 1989, people had different ideas about how many families lived in Wawa. Some thought it was as few as five families. Others estimated it was around 265 families. It's hard to get an exact number for a community without clear borders.
Transportation in Wawa
Wawa is home to the Wawa station. This train station is the end point for SEPTA's Media/Wawa Line. The Wawa train station was once a busy place. It connected to three different train lines:
- The West Chester Branch: This is now the SEPTA Media/Wawa Line. Train service west of Elwyn stopped in 1986. But in 2022, service was brought back to Wawa!
- The Chester Creek Branch: Train service on this line stopped in 1971. This was after severe storms damaged the tracks. Now, the old railroad path has been turned into a paved walking and biking trail.
- The Octoraro Branch: Service on this line also stopped in 1971 due to storm damage. The part of the track south of Chadds Ford was sold to a freight railroad company.
SEPTA train service to Wawa stopped in September 1986. For many years, there was just a sign for a station that wasn't used. But on August 21, 2022, a new Wawa station opened, and train service returned!
Economy in Wawa
The main office for Wawa Food Markets is located in Wawa, specifically in the Chester Heights part of the community. In 2011, about 300 people worked at this headquarters. The taxes paid by these employees help support the Borough of Chester Heights.
The company called Franklin Mint used to have its site in Middletown Township, near Wawa. Some people thought it was part of Wawa. However, the Franklin Mint called its area "Franklin Center." The Franklin Mint has since moved to a different location.
Education in Wawa
Children living in the Chester Heights part of Wawa go to schools in the Garnet Valley School District. Children living in the Middletown Township part of Wawa attend schools in the Rose Tree Media School District.
