The History of West Chester, PA

The personal injury attorneys in West Chester, PA, sponsor this article to offer readers detailed information about the area.

The borough of West Chester is in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The neighborhood spans 1.85 square miles and hosts an approximate population of 20,029 with a population density of 10,849.95 per square mile. West Chester is a thriving community belonging to zip codes 19380-19383, 19388.

History

The original inhabitants of West Chester were Native American tribes who utilized the woodlands to create a sustainable lifestyle for their families. The Native Americans occupied the land for thousands of years until William Penn, a European settler and founder of Pennsylvania, was granted a tract of land in 1701.

Soon thereafter, the land was divided and partially sold to the Haines family.

The original name of the West Chester borough was Turk's Head. The name was derived from a local inn that was a popular destination for visitors at the time.

The history of West Chester dates back to 1786, when the borough was declared the seat of Chester County. By 1799, the borough was incorporated. During the 19th century, the town began to change as roads and schools were constructed.

By 1813, the West Chester Academy was founded, and the West Chester Railroad tracks were completed in 1832.

The town continued to develop by expanding residential rowhomes and buildings, many of which were designed by Thomas U. Walter, who designed the U.S. Capitol building.

In the early 20th century, West Chester became a large industrial area and became the center of penicillin production during World War II.

Today, much of the town's history is preserved by the West Chester Downtown Historic District.

Historic Landmarks

West Chester is a longstanding borough with immense history. Therefore, it should come as no shock that the town consists of several historical landmarks. Some of the borough's most notable landmarks include,

Chester County Courthouse

• The courthouse was built in 1846 and designed by Thomas U. Walter in the Georgian and Greek Revival architectural styles. The building is known for its stunning columned entrance and as the county seat of West Chester. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 5, 1972.

William Everhart Building

• The stunning historic building, also referred to as the Everhart-Lincoln Building, was built in 1833 by Congressman William Everhart. The three-story building was designed in the Federal architectural style and is known for its decadent second-story porch. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 17, 1979.

West Chester Boarding School for Boys

• The boarding school, also known as the Square House, was built in 1836 by Nathan Sharpless. The three-story building was designed in the Federal Architectural style and was a private all-boys academy until 1862. Today, the building is used as a private residence. The former school building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 4, 1990.

If you're looking to move to or visit a neighborhood with rich history preserved through several historic landmarks, consider West Chester, PA.

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Our Local Office

Don't allow your personal injuries to go unjustified, trust the West Chester, PA, personal injury attorneys to fight for you. Call our legal team today for a free consultation.

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