327 Liberty Lane
Wayne, PA, USA

Wayne PA History

Wayne, PA – Philadelphia's Main Line: A Historical Reflection

Once inhabited by the Lenni Lenape Indians, the area known as Wayne traces its settlement back to the 1600s when a group of 40 Quakers from Radnorshire, Wales sought refuge here, purchasing a 5,000-acre tract from William Penn. Formally established in 1681, the township took shape along the Schuylkill River, with land parcels sold at the rate of one British pound per 50 acres. The Welsh settlers, apart from cultivating farmlands, erected essential infrastructure such as grist mills, sawmills, and tanneries along Ithan and Darby creeks. However, their influence dwindled in the latter half of the 18th century due to heavy taxation.

The advent of Lancaster Pike in 1794, the world's first macadamized turnpike and America's inaugural toll road, spurred further development, leading to increased settlement and the emergence of inns along the route. Nevertheless, the region remained predominantly agricultural until the mid-1800s when the Columbia Railroad, connecting Philadelphia to Harrisburg, was completed. This marked the inception of "The Main Line," prompting significant changes.

In the mid-1800s, banker James Henry Askin acquired 300 acres of farmland and envisioned a Victorian development named "Louella" after his daughters. Askin's endeavors materialized with the construction of the Wayne Presbyterian Church, mansard-roofed villas, and the Wayne Lyceum Hall, later transformed into the Wayne Opera House. Despite his ambitious plans, financial setbacks during the 1873 depression thwarted further progress.

In 1880, Anthony J. Drexel and George W. Childs acquired Askin's land, aiming to create an elaborate planned community. Renaming the area Wayne in honor of General Anthony Wayne, they established one of the nation's earliest planned suburbs, complete with modern conveniences.

The easy accessibility to Philadelphia facilitated the area's prosperity, attracting summer visitors and leading to the construction of The Bellevue Hotel in 1881, later replaced by The Wesley Hotel and The Wayne Hotel. Simultaneously, Wayne became a sought-after retreat for city dwellers, with wealthy businessmen establishing grand estates reminiscent of Newport, RI. Notable among these estates were Chanticleer and Ardrossan Farm, the latter belonging to the Montgomery family. Hope Montgomery, renowned for her elegance, served as the inspiration for the character Tracy Lord in "The Philadelphia Story," epitomizing the allure and grandeur of Main Line life.

327 Liberty Lane, Wayne, PA, USA