HISTORICAL MARKERS
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An Act of the General Assembly that was
approved on 25 July, 1913, established the Pennsylvania Historical Commission.
One of its roles was to "mark by proper monuments, tablets or markers,
places or buildings, within this Commonwealth, where historical events have
transpired ..."
In 1945, the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, the State Archives and the
State Museum were merged to form the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum
Commission.
American Light Infantry
The American Light Infantry, near this place vigorously resisted the
advance of the British at the Battle of the Brandywine, September 11,
1777.
(Plaque: US 1 (North side), 1 mile west of Chadds Ford.)
The Baptist Church in the Great
Valley
Organized in 1711 by Welsh families, it's the third Baptist church in the
state and the mother of 8 nearby congregations. The present building,
(the second), was erected in 1805.
(SR 2021 (Valley Forge Rd.) .4 miles SE of Rte. 252, Tredyffrin Twp., SE of
Valley Forge.)
Battle of Brandywine
On September 11, 1777, an American force containing about 11,000 men,
commanded by Washington, attempted to halt a British advance into Pa.
The Americans were defeated near Chadds Ford on Brandywine Creek by
approximately 18,000 British and Hessian soldiers under Howe.
(US Rte. 1, one mile E of Kennett Square)
Howe planned two separate attacks against the American line. In the
early morning, the British Army divided here. Knyphausen's troops went
east to engage the center of the line at Chadds Ford, while a force under
Cornwallis marched approximately 6 miles north, then 3 miles east, to outflank
Washington's right wing and to attack from the rear.
(Accompanies above mentioned marker.)
After fording the branches of the Brandywine, British troops under Cornwallis
turned SE here early in the afternoon to attack the rear of the American right
wing under Sullivan, 3 miles downstream. Conflicting intelligence
reports on this movement prevented formation of a proper defense by Sullivan.
(Rte. 842, at intersection SR 3061, SW of West Chester.)
The British attack on the American right wing began here late in the
afternoon. After heavy fighting, the defense line which Sullivan formed
hastily near Birmingham Meeting House was forced to retreat to Dilworthtown, 2
miles SE. Reinforcements from Chadds Ford delayed the British as
Sullivan's men fell back.
(Rte. 926 at the intersection SR 2001 [Birmingham Rd] West of Darlington
Corner.)
Bayard Rustin (1910-1987)
Born here, the civil rights leader and pacifist organized the 1963 March
of Washington. Head of A. Philip Randolph Institute, 1966-1979.
Elected to Henderson High School Hall of Fame.
(At the school; Lincoln & Montgomery Aves., West Chester)
Birmingham Friends' Meeting House
Built in 1763. Used as a hospital after the Battle of the
Brandywine, September 11, 1777.
(Plaque; wall of meetinghouse, SR 2001 (Birmingham Rd), 1/2 mile SE of Rte.
926)
Brandywine Mansion
The historic Fleming house, purchased by Moses Coates in 1787.
Acquired by Jesse Kersey and Isaac Pennock, in 1810, founders of the
Brandywine Iron Works. Occupied 1816-1825 by Pennock's son-in-law, Dr.
Charles Lukens, whose widow, Rebecca, continued and expanded the firms
operations after his death. Rebecca Lukens, who lived here until her
death in 1854, gained recognition for her vision and business
capability.
(102 S. First Ave., SR3043, Coatesville)
(The British Attack)
The British attack upon the American right wing under Sullivan at the
Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, began here.
(Plaque: Rte. 926 at intersection SR 2001 (Birmingham Rd.), near Battle
of Brandywine marker, above described)
Chester Springs
Earlier known as Yellow Springs; originally a resort since 1750.
Washington's headquarters September 17. 1777, after the Battle of
Brandywine. Hospital for his soldiers during the winter encampment at
Valley Forge, 1777-1778.
(Rte. 113 at Chester Springs)
Dilworthtown
The Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, ended a short distance
southeast of this place.
(Plaque: SR2001 (Birmingham Rd.) & Old Wilmington Pike, Dilworthtown.)
Evan Pugh
Was born 1828 on the Jordan Bank farm 3 miles south. Became the
first president, Penn State University, 1859 until his death in 1864.
Put his college at fore of movement toward mass education in science for
farming, industry.
(Rte. 472 (Market St.) near 5th Street, Oxford)
General Anthony Wayne
The house in which the Revolutionary leader and Indian fighter was born, 1
January 1745, stands approximately one mile away. Died at Erie, 15
December 1796; his remains were later interred at St. David's Church, 4-1/2
miles away.
(Rte. 30 at junction of Rte. 252, East of Paoli.)
General Lafayette
After visiting Brandywine Battlefield on 26 July, 1825, General
Lafayette came to West Chester. From a point about 1/2 block west from
here, he reviewed troops parading in his honor.
(N. Matlack St., at Lafayette St., in park, West Chester.)
Great Minquas Path
An important Indian trail, key to Pennsylvania's fur trade in the 17th
century, crossed the present highway near here. It linked trading posts
on the lower Schuylkill with Indian towns to the west. The Dutch, Swedes
and English fought one another for control of the path.
(Rte. 322, near south end of West Chester)
(Great Trail of the Minquas)
The Great Trail of the Minquas or Susquehanna Indians from the
Susquehanna to the Schuylkill crossed the present road about this point.
It was the path prior to 1670 for their conquest of the Lenni-Lenape or
Delaware Indians and for trade with the first Dutch and Swedish settlers on
the Delaware River, thousands of beaver skins yearly being carried down over
this "beversrede" or beaver road to Fort Beversrede on the site of
Philadelphia and to other neighboring trading posts.
(Rte. 322 at Church Ave., just south of West Chester)
Hopewell Historic District
A borough from 1853 to 1914. Hopewell was a laboratory for
progressive farming, milling and educational practices. Samuel Dickey
(1769-1835) was an agricultural innovator and the Dickeys pioneered in
establishing area schools. The family, spurred by available water power,
developed this valley between 1815 and the 1870's. Much of its
19th-century character endures in the land and its buildings.
(Intersection, Hopewell and Lower Hopewell Rds., 2 miles west of Oxford.)
Horace Pippin
Born in West Chester in 1888, Pippin occupied this house from 1920
until his death in 1946. A self-taught black artist, he painted while
living here such acclaimed works as "Domino Players", "John
Brown Going to His Hanging", and the "Holy Mountain"
series.
(327 W. Gay St., West Chester.)
Hosanna Meeting House
Founded by free Blacks who had settled in this area, it was first
known as the "African Meeting House." Formally organized in
1843 as an African Union Methodist Protestant Church. A station stop on
the Underground Railroad, its many visitors included Frederick Douglass and
Sojourner Truth.
(Baltimore Pike (SR 3026, old US 1), adjacent to Lincoln University, NE of
Oxford)
Indian Hannah (1730-1802)
The last of the Indians in Chester County was born in the vale about
300 yards to the east on the land of the protector of her people, the Quaker
assemblyman William Webb. Her mother was Indian Sarah and her
grandmother was Indian Jane of the Unami group (their totem-the tortoise) of
the Lenni-Lenape or Delaware Indians.
(Plaque: Rte. 52 (east side), .2 mile north of the junction of Rte. 1,
Longwood)
John Beale Bordley
The noted agriculturist purchased land just north of here in 1792 and
named it "Como Farm". Here he conducted numerous experiments
on crop rotation and maintenance of soil fertility. He planned new
devices for seeding and reaping wheat. His works on Rotation of Crops,
and Husbandry and Rural Affairs were widely read. He died in 1804.
(SR 3062 (Strasburg Rd), just off Rte. 162; 1.6 miles west of Marshallton)
John G. Parke
He was born in this vicinity on 22 September, 1827, the noted Army
Engineer is remembered for having set the exact boundary between the Oregon
Territory and Canada. His survey, begun in 1857, was halted by service
in the Civil War, and was not completed until 1869. He later became
Superintendent of West Point.
(Business Rte. 30 at Veterans Drive, just east of Coatesville)
Joseph T. Rothrock
Conservationist, father of the State Forest idea in Pa., lived in this
house from 1876 until his death in 1922. He pioneered in the development
of forest fire control, reforestation, and scientific forestry.
(NW corner, N. Church and W. Lafayette Sts., West Chester.)
Lincoln Biography
The first published biography of Abraham Lincoln was printed in this
building on 11 February, 1860. It was prepared from Lincoln's own notes
and served to introduce him to the public as a potential presidential
candidate.
(28 W. Market Street, btwn. High & Church Sts., West Chester.)
Lincoln University
Chartered as Ashmun Institute, 29 April, 1854. Founded by Rev.
John Miller Dickey for the purpose of providing liberal higher education for
people of African ancestry in America. In 1866, it became Lincoln
University, interracial and international.
(SR 3026 (old US 1), 2 miles NE of Oxford.)
Minguannan Indian Town
Was located here. The chief Machaloha or Owhala and his people
of the Unami group (their totem--the tortoise) of the Lenni-Lenape or
Delawares sold to William Penn the lands between the Delaware River and
Chesapeake Bay to the Falls of the Susquehanna River, 18 October, 1683.
(Plaque: intersection SR 3006 (Yeatman Station Rd) and SR 3034(London
Tract Rd), 1.5 miles NE of Strickersville.
Okehocking Indian Town
The chiefs Pokhais, Sepopawyn and Muttagooppa with their people of the
Unami group (their totem--the tortoise) ofthe Lenni-Lenape or Delawares moved
from Lower Ridley and Crum creeks by William Penn to a square tract of 500
acres on the north side of this road east of Ridley Creek..1701.
(Plaque: Rte. 3 (West Chester Pike), 1/2 mile east of Rte. 926 and 4
miles west of Newtown Square.)
Osborne's Hill
From this ridge General Howe directed the movements of the British
Army during the Battle of Brandywine, 11 September, 1777.
(SR 2001 (Birmingham Rd.) at driveway to Osborne Hill, south of West Chester.)
Peter Bezellon
Famed Indian trader and interpreter bought a tract of 500 acres in
this area in 1736. This site is part of the tract. He died in
1742. Bezellon and his wife, Martha, are buried in St. John's churchyard
at Compass, Pa.
(SR 3064 (West Chester Rd.) at Oak Street, south end of Coatesville.)
Philadelphia & Lancaster Turnpike Road
This was the nation's first major toll road, built by a private
company incorporated 1792 by the state legislature. Completed two years
later and praised as the finest highway of its day, the stone-and-gravel
turnpike stretched 62 miles. The 35th milestone out of Philadelphia was
placed here. Early in the 20th century, this road was acquired by the
state; it became part of the transcontinental Lincoln Highway and U.S. 30.
(Business Rte. 30 at Veteran's Drive, just east of Coatesville.)
Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Boyhood home of this composer of orchestral and vocal works, including
the "Adgio for Strings" and "Knoxville, Summer of
1915." Won Pulitzer Prizes in music, 1958 & 1963.
Graduate of Curtis Institute. He wrote West Chester High's Alma Mater song.
(107 S. Church St., West Chester.)
Sconnelltown
Cornwallis' division of the British Army halted here September 11,
1777, on its march to the Battlefield of Brandwine.
(Plaque: nr. intersection SR 3061 & SR 2001, just off Rte. 842,
southwest of West Chester.)
Springton Manor
The largest reserved estate of the Penns in Chester County. It
was first authorized by William Penn as a 10,000 acre tract in 1701. It
was re-surveyed in 1730, and was found to contain 8,313 acres, including most
of present Wallace Township. The southern boundary line of the Manor was
near this point.
(SR 4021 (Springton Rd.) and Highspire Rd., 1 mile north of Rte. 322,
Springton.)
Star Of The West, Tent No. Six
An African American women's community service organization, chartered
1865. A part of the United Order of Tens, J.R. Giddings and Jollifee
Union, founded in 1847 and named for abolitionist Congressman Giddings and his
law partner.
(113 S. Adams St., West Chester.)
(Steyning Manor)
The Manor Of Steyning, of 15,500 acres patented by William Penn for
"fatherly love" and one beaver skin yearly to his daughter Laetitia
Penn at Philadelphia, 23 October, 1701, is here marked on its western line
adj. a tract of 14,500 acres which the Proprietor patented to his son William
Penn, Jr., 24 May 1706.
(Plaque: SR 3048 (old US 1) southbound, 1/2 mile west of Kennett
Square.)
Thomas McKean
A signer of the Declaration of Independence, Chief Justice of
Pennsylvania and Governor, from 1799-1808; was born on this farm on 19 March,
1734. Active in politics of Delaware, he encouraged Caesar Rodney to
cast the deciding vote for American Independence.
(Rte. 896, northwest of Rte. 841, Franklin Twp., northwest of Strickersville.)
Trimble's Ford
On 11 September, 1777, while on the march to the Battlefield of
Brandywine, the British Army under Howe & Cornwallis crossed the
Brandywine at the ford just south of this point.
(Plaque: SR 3023 (Camp Linden Rd.), 2/10's of a mile east of SR 3058,
southeast of Marshallton.)
Village of Valley Forge
Village was settled by the workers of the iron forge begun in
1742. The forge and part of the village were burned by the British army
in 1777. Washington's quarters during the winter of 1777-78 were in the
Isaac Potts house, a part of the original village.
(Rte. 23, east and west of village; 2 markers)
Warwick Furnace
Built in 1737 by Anna Nutt and Co. Made the first Franklin
stoves, 1742. Supplied shot and cannon for American
revolutionists. Furnace is about 1-1/2 miles away on side road; iron
mines a mile west on the highway.
(Rte. 23, btwn. Warwick and Knauertown.)
William Darlington
Physician, Congressman, began a service of 33 years as president of
Bank of Chester County, in this building, 1830. Especially noted for his
many contributions to the science and study of botany in the early
1800's. He died in 1863.
(13 N. High Street, btwn. Matlack and Gay Sts., West Chester.)
Guide to the State Historical Markers of
Pennsylvania; George R. Beyer; Commonwealth of PA, PA Historical & Museum
Commission, Harrisburg; 2000.
To anyone interested in nominating markers,
please use this link to the Pennsylvania
Historical & Museum Commission, to do so.
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