An Early History of Willistown, PA

The slip and fall attorneys in Willistown, PA, present this article to share a detailed excerpt about the neighborhood.

Willistown is a neighborhood in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The area spans 18.27 square miles and hosts an approximate population of 10,898 with a population density of 601.80 per square mile. Willistown is a convenient place to live in Pennsylvania, belonging to zip code 19073.

History

Willistown was originally inhabited by the Lenni Lenape Indians, a Native American tribe. The tribe utilized the woodlands for several years before William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, bought a large land tract encompassing the area in 1684.

Following Penn's land acquisition, the area developed into agricultural land and later a more traditional residential town.

Willistown still holds aspects of the land's early life in the 1700s. You can still find Boot, Sugartown, and Goshen in the town, originally cow paths.

The neighborhood experienced its greatest catalyst for development when the West Chester Railroad, late known as the Pennsylvania Railroad, was extended to include Willistown.

The community hosts several historic landmarks representative of the long journey that Willistown has endured. Some of the most notable historic landmarks include,

Bartram's Covered Bridge

• The Burr Truss-designed bridge was built in 1860 by Fernindad Wood. The bridge was built to extend Goshen Road over Crum Creek into Chester County. The bridge is recognizable for its slanted planks on both entrances and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 10, 1980.

Okehocking Historic District

• The historic district is also referred to as the Okehocking Indian Land Grant Historic District. The district consists of 69 buildings, 5 sites, 2 structures, and 1 contributing object. The district is known for its stunning buildings, mostly constructed before 1845 in the Colonial Revival style. One of the most popular contributing buildings is the Willistown Friends Meeting House. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 2, 1993.

Demographics

Today, Willistown is home to many growing families with a nearly equal population amongst female residents (52%) and male residents (48%). The median age in Willistown is 49.1, and the racial demographic is as follows:

• 90% White
• 4% Asian
• 3% African American
• 2% Two or More Races
• 1% Hispanic

The neighborhood is home to financially comfortable residents with a median household income well above the national average ($62,843) at $114,614. The median individual income is also above the national average ($31,133) at $52,102.

Most Willistown residents own their homes (87%) at a median home value significantly higher than the national average ($217,500) at $432,500. A minority of residents rent their homes (13%) at a median rent of $1,601, also above the national average ($1,062).

The Willistown population is considered to be highly educated. The education levels of the residents are as follows:

• 28% Master's Degree or Higher
• 35% Bachelor's Degree
• 18% Some College or Associate's Degree
• 16% High School Diploma or Equivalent
• 3% Less Than a High School Diploma

The unemployment rate in Willistown is. 2.4% and the poverty rate is 5.3%.

Parks & Recreation

Residents of Willistown enjoy their neighborhood for the rich history it holds, but also for its numerous local attractions. Some of the most notable attractions include,

• Rita Reves Park
• Okehocking Preserve
• Rushton Woods Preserve

Enjoyed this article? See the related: The History of West Chester, PA

Our Local Office

If you have suffered from a slip and fall accident, someone could be held liable. To learn more, call the Willistown, PA, slip and fall attorneys for a free consultation.

Justice Guardians
105 Westtown Rd #A
West Chester, PA 19382
(267) 293-5585