Havertown, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Havertown is a residential suburban unincorporated community
in Haverford Township
, Delaware County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
, approximately 9 miles west of the center of
Philadelphia. Havertown's ZIP Code
is 19083. Havertown is notable for being the birthplace of Swell Bubble Gum, which closed its doors in late 2004, and was demolished in 2011. The Swell site in 2013 will be the home of the brand new Haverford Township Area YMCA. Havertown is one of the few towns that have a Superfund
site caused by a timber mill that finished telephone poles; the chemical that was used to coat the telephone poles was dumped into the ground. Coincidently, these two sites are directly across the street from one another.
Havertown is also known for its large Irish-American population. Many Irish-Americans still live there today. According to the 2000 US Census, Haverford Twp. ranks in the top 60 of census-recognized municipalities nationwide in percentage of population with Irish ancestry. The neighborhood takes pride in its distinct Irish heritage and is home to many Irish bars and shops. For these reasons the neighborhood remains a very popular destination for Irish immigrants. Of the 51,560 residents, 11,182 noted "Irish" as their first reported ancestry.
Havertown’s rich history began with Haverford Township's founding by Welsh Quakers in 1681 on land purchased by William Penn
. The town is home to many historic sites, such as the Grange Estate
, a mansion that entertained the Revolutionary War figures George Washington
and General Lafayette
. Nitre Hall
, also located within the town’s borders, supplied the United States with over 800,000 pounds of gunpowder during the War of 1812
. Other Havertown sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places
include the Federal School
and Lawrence Cabin
.
Havertown is home to over 30 outdoor parks and playing fields. The town also provides other recreation facilities including the Haverford Township Free Library, an outdoor skate park, and the Haverford Township Skatium, a multi-use ice rink for Havertown residents. The town is guarded and watched over by the Haverford Township Police Department and is under the protection of five fire companies: Bon Air, Brookline, Llanerch, Manoa, and Oakmont.
Havertown is served by the School District of Haverford Township
, which has one high school, one middle school, and five elementary schools. A newly-refurbished elementary school, Chestnutwold Elementary, re-opened its doors early September 2008. It replaced Oakmont Elementary, which is to become home to the district offices. In 2009, Manoa Elementary School moved from Manoa Road to the intersection of Manoa and Eagle Roads, taking part of the field that had been there for many years. The Haverford High School sports teams are called the "Fords," and have a Model T Ford as mascot.
The recently renovated Haverford Reserve includes a community park for the ultimate recreation experience. Some of the upcoming components that will be added to the new Proposed Community Recreation & Environmental Center at Haverford Reserve include a double gymnasium, walking track, multi purpose rooms, environmental nature area, and a health and wellness area.
The namesake
of Haverford and Havertown is Haverfordwest
, Wales
, UK.
The School District of Haverford Township
serves Havertown. Haverford High School is in Havertown.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Haverford Township
Haverford Township, Pennsylvania
Haverford Township is a home rule township in Delaware County, near Philadelphia, in southeastern Pennsylvania, United States. It maintains its legal name as the Township of Haverford, presumably for historic reasons...
, Delaware County
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, approximately 9 miles west of the center of
Center City, Philadelphia
Center City, or Downtown Philadelphia includes the central business district and central neighborhoods of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. As of 2005, its population of over 88,000 made it the third most populous downtown in the United States, after New York City's and Chicago's...
Philadelphia. Havertown's ZIP Code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
is 19083. Havertown is notable for being the birthplace of Swell Bubble Gum, which closed its doors in late 2004, and was demolished in 2011. The Swell site in 2013 will be the home of the brand new Haverford Township Area YMCA. Havertown is one of the few towns that have a Superfund
Superfund
Superfund is the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 , a United States federal law designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances...
site caused by a timber mill that finished telephone poles; the chemical that was used to coat the telephone poles was dumped into the ground. Coincidently, these two sites are directly across the street from one another.
Havertown is also known for its large Irish-American population. Many Irish-Americans still live there today. According to the 2000 US Census, Haverford Twp. ranks in the top 60 of census-recognized municipalities nationwide in percentage of population with Irish ancestry. The neighborhood takes pride in its distinct Irish heritage and is home to many Irish bars and shops. For these reasons the neighborhood remains a very popular destination for Irish immigrants. Of the 51,560 residents, 11,182 noted "Irish" as their first reported ancestry.
Havertown’s rich history began with Haverford Township's founding by Welsh Quakers in 1681 on land purchased by William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
. The town is home to many historic sites, such as the Grange Estate
Grange Estate
The Grange Estate, also known as Maen-Coch and Clifton Hall, is a historic mansion in Havertown, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. Built in 1700 and expanded several times through the 1850s, it was purchased by Haverford Township in 1974...
, a mansion that entertained the Revolutionary War figures George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and General Lafayette
Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette
Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette , often known as simply Lafayette, was a French aristocrat and military officer born in Chavaniac, in the province of Auvergne in south central France...
. Nitre Hall
Nitre Hall
Nitre Hall is a 19th-century building in Havertown, Pennsylvania. Built shortly after 1800 on the banks of Cobbs Creek, the hall was the residence of the master of the Nitre Hall Powder Mills, which has long since been torn down. With the ground floor reserved for custodians, the upper two floors...
, also located within the town’s borders, supplied the United States with over 800,000 pounds of gunpowder during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. Other Havertown sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
include the Federal School
Federal School
The Federal School is a one-room schoolhouse on the National Register of Historic Places located on Darby Road in an area of Havertown, Pennsylvania known as Coopertown, near the Allgates Estate...
and Lawrence Cabin
Lawrence Cabin
The Lawrence Cabin is a log cabin located on Cobbs Creek in Powder Mill Valley Park in Havertown, Pennsylvania, near Nitre Hall. It was originally located on Darby Creek, but was moved in 1961 when threatened with destruction...
.
Havertown is home to over 30 outdoor parks and playing fields. The town also provides other recreation facilities including the Haverford Township Free Library, an outdoor skate park, and the Haverford Township Skatium, a multi-use ice rink for Havertown residents. The town is guarded and watched over by the Haverford Township Police Department and is under the protection of five fire companies: Bon Air, Brookline, Llanerch, Manoa, and Oakmont.
Havertown is served by the School District of Haverford Township
School District of Haverford Township
The School District of Haverford Township is a school district in Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, United States.The district serves all parts of the township, including Havertown.-Primary schools:* Chatham Park Elementary School...
, which has one high school, one middle school, and five elementary schools. A newly-refurbished elementary school, Chestnutwold Elementary, re-opened its doors early September 2008. It replaced Oakmont Elementary, which is to become home to the district offices. In 2009, Manoa Elementary School moved from Manoa Road to the intersection of Manoa and Eagle Roads, taking part of the field that had been there for many years. The Haverford High School sports teams are called the "Fords," and have a Model T Ford as mascot.
The recently renovated Haverford Reserve includes a community park for the ultimate recreation experience. Some of the upcoming components that will be added to the new Proposed Community Recreation & Environmental Center at Haverford Reserve include a double gymnasium, walking track, multi purpose rooms, environmental nature area, and a health and wellness area.
The namesake
Namesake
Namesake is a term used to characterize a person, place, thing, quality, action, state, or idea that has the same, or a similar, name to another....
of Haverford and Havertown is Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest is the county town of Pembrokeshire, Wales and serves as the County's principal commercial and administrative centre. Haverfordwest is the most populous urban area in Pembrokeshire, with a population of 13,367 in 2001; though its community boundaries make it the second most populous...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, UK.
Education
School District of Haverford Township
The School District of Haverford Township is a school district in Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, United States.The district serves all parts of the township, including Havertown.-Primary schools:* Chatham Park Elementary School...
serves Havertown. Haverford High School is in Havertown.
Notable residents (current and former in alphabetical order)
- Howard BensonHoward BensonHoward Benson is a two-time Grammy-nominated music producer and aerospace engineer.-Biography:Howard Benson has a degree in materials engineering from Drexel University and studied composition at the Philadelphia College for Performing Arts. Later he worked for Garrett AiResearch, where he worked...
, Two-time Grammy nominated producer - Leo BurtLeo BurtLeo Frederick Burt was indicted in connection with the 1970 Sterling Hall bombing at the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, which killed Robert Fassnacht, a physics researcher, and injured several others...
, domestic terrorist - still at large On FBI Most Wanted TerroristsFBI Most Wanted TerroristsThe Federal Bureau of Investigation's Most Wanted Terrorists is a list of fugitives who have been indicted by sitting Federal grand juries in the United States district courts, for alleged crimes of terrorism. The initial list was formed in late 2001 in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks...
list indicted in connection with the 1970 Sterling Hall bombingSterling Hall bombingThe Sterling Hall Bombing that occurred on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus on August 24, 1970 was committed by four young people as a protest against the University's research connections with the US military during the Vietnam War...
at the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus - Paul V. Carty, executive editor of The Town Talk and www.thetowntalk.com in Alexandria, La., owned by the Gannett CompanyGannett CompanyGannett Company, Inc. is a publicly-traded media holding company headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia, United States, near McLean. It is the largest U.S. newspaper publisher as measured by total daily circulation. Its assets include the national newspaper USA Today and the weekly USA Weekend...
of McLean, Va. - Speedy ClaxtonSpeedy ClaxtonCraig "Speedy" Claxton is an American former professional basketball player. He is now a college scout with the Golden State Warriors.-College:...
, NBA current player - Jerry CrawfordJerry CrawfordGerald Joseph Crawford is a former umpire in Major League Baseball. He first umpired in the National League in 1977, from 2000 through 2010 worked in both major leagues. He was a crew chief from 1998 through 2010...
, MLB Umpire - Joe CrawfordJoe CrawfordJoseph "Joey" Crawford has been an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association since 1977 and wears the uniform number 17. Crawford is one of the most experienced officials in the NBA and has developed a reputation for being eager to assess technical fouls...
, NBA Referee - Marguerite de AngeliMarguerite de AngeliMarguerite de Angeli was a bestselling author and illustrator of children's books including the 1950 Newbery Award winning book The Door in the Wall...
, award-winning children's book author lived in Manoa in the 1930s - Tim DonaghyTim DonaghyTim Donaghy is a former professional basketball referee who worked in the National Basketball Association for 13 seasons, from 1994 to 2007. During his career in the NBA, Donaghy officiated in 772 regular season games and 20 playoff games...
, disgraced former NBA Referee - Kyle EckelKyle EckelKyle Eckel is an American football fullback in the National Football League, who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
, current NFL player with New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, 2-time MVP of Army-Navy gameArmy-Navy GameThe Army–Navy Game is an an American college football rivalry game between the teams of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. The USMA team, "Army", and the USNA team, "Navy", each represent their services' oldest... - Nelson Erlick, novelist published with Tor-Forge Books
- John FacendaJohn FacendaJohn Thomas Ralph Augustine James Facenda was an American broadcaster and sports announcer. He was a fixture on Philadelphia radio and television for decades, and achieved national fame as a narrator for NFL Films and Football Follies...
, Philadelphia newscaster and narrator for NFL FilmsNFL FilmsNFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows... - Rick FisherRick FisherRick Fisher is a lighting designer, known for his work with Stephen Daldry on Billy Elliot the Musical and An Inspector Calls. He is from Philadelphia and attended Dickinson College, but has been based in the UK for the last 30 years....
, two time Tony Award Winner for lighting - Julie GoldJulie GoldJulie Gold is a New York singer-songwriter. She is best known for Bette Midler's version of her song "From a Distance" which won the Grammy for Song of the Year in 1991....
, composer - Ross KatzRoss KatzRoss Katz is a Jewish American film producer, screenwriter and film director.Prior to becoming a producer, Katz was a commercial rock DJ on 94 WYSP FM in Philadelphia. He got his start in movies working as a grip on Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, then interned at Good Machine eventually...
, Hollywood film producer - Billy KingBilly KingBilly King is the general manager of the New Jersey Nets, and former general manager and team president of the Philadelphia 76ers. King grew up in Sterling, Virginia where he played basketball at Park View High School, and received a scholarship to play at Duke University. He was known primarily...
, former GM of the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
basketball team - John LeClairJohn LeClairJohn Clark LeClair is an American former professional ice hockey left winger who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins...
, NHL Former Philadelphia Flyer - Joe LunardiJoe LunardiJoseph Lunardi is a college basketball analyst for ESPN. He was born in Philadelphia, he is a graduate of Haverford High School in Pennsylvania, and is a Saint Joseph's University alumnus. Lunardi currently lives in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania...
, ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
bracketologist - Glen MacnowGlen MacnowGlen Harry Macnow is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania sports talk radio host on 610 WIP.-Background:Macnow was born in New York City, and raised in Buffalo, New York...
, Philadelphia radio personality - Marcus McElhenneyMarcus McElhenneyMarcus McElhenney is an American coxswain. He won a bronze medal in the men's eight at the 2008 Summer Olympics....
, American coxswain, 2008 Olympics bronze medalist - Jeremy Morse, Drama Desk nominated actor
- Ryan MulhernRyan MulhernRyan Patrick Mulhern is a retired American ice hockey player.Originally selected by the Calgary Flames in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, Mulhern played briefly for the Washington Capitals.-External links:...
, former Washington CapitalsWashington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
player - Jameer NelsonJameer NelsonJameer Nelson is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the NBA. He played college basketball at Saint Joseph's University and was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets but was traded to the Orlando Magic, where he has played for his...
, former St. Joseph's University star player and current NBA Orlando MagicOrlando MagicThe Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
point guard - Robin Roberts, Phillies pitcher resided in Manoa
- Jean Shiley-Newhouse, 1932 Olympic Gold Medalist
- Mike TollinMike TollinMichael "Mike" Tollin is an American film director and film/television producer. His career highlights included Radio, Coach Carter, and Varsity Blues. He frequently collaborates with Brian Robbins in which they own a production company together called Tollin/Robbins Productions...
, Hollywood film producer and director - Brendan HansenBrendan HansenBrendan Joseph Hansen is an American breaststroke swimmer and four-time Olympic medalist...
, Four-time Olympic medalist - Rita Fullerton, Informal Town-Mayor, Noted Anti-Spendthrift Activist, Pat Coyne's Friend
- John Gasparro - Chief Engraver of the US Mint