The Early History of Radnor, PA

The following article presented by the personal injury lawyers in Radnor, PA, at Justice Guardians provides a deeper look into the community's history.

Radnor

The township of Radnor straddles both Delaware and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania. The community is a short drive of only 13 miles from Philadelphia. Nearby neighborhoods include Wayne, Villanova, St. Davids, Rosemont, and Ithan. Veterans Memorial Highway and Lincoln Highway intersect near the southern edge of the town. Other roadways within the area include King of Prussia Road, Matsonford Road, County Line Road, and Upper Gulph Road. 

History

The community was founded in 1686 at a meeting at the Radnor Friends Meetinghouse, located on Conestoga Road. This Friends Meetinghouse served General George Washington's Continental Army during the Revolutionary War as an outpost. The Pennsylvania Railroad's Main Line was built in 1872. The railway passed through the southern section of the township, and less than one mile south of the Meetinghouse, a station was established on King of Prussia Road.

The greater area was primarily a farming community, and even past World War II, it remained undeveloped. Its town center was designed around the Meetinghouse and remained secluded from heavy development seen in nearby towns such as Wayne and Bryn Mawr. However, in the 1980s, residential and commercial development began. Office parks were built in the southern portion of the neighborhood near the train station. Additionally, some well-known firms, such as Lincoln National Corporation, relocated their headquarters from Center City to the township.

Education

Public schools from both the Upper Merion School District and Radnor Township School District serve the community. A few of the private schools the children include:

• Archbishop John Carroll High School
• The Grayson School
• Heritage School

The residents may also attend the following universities and colleges nearby:

• Valley Forge Military Academy and College
• Eastern University
• Cabrini University
• Villanova University
• Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

Fun Facts

The community is known throughout the entertainment industry due to the following:

• The township was the setting for the playThe Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry.

• Judy Blume's novel, Blubber, also used the town as the setting.

• Rydell High School in the classic film, Grease was modeled after Radnor High School. The director, Randal Kleiser, graduated from the school, Class of 1964.

• The movie Taps was filmed at Valley Forge Military Academy and College.

Demographics

The township has 31,606 residents that form 9,591 households. The following shows the ethnicities found within the population:

• 80.5% White
• 3.5% Hispanic or Latino
• 6.5% Black or African American
• 7.4% Asian
• 1.9% Two or More Mixed Races
• 0.2% Other Races

The median income for the town's households is $106,200. Some of the top occupations held by the working townspeople included: 

• 19.9% Education
• 14.2% Professional
• 12.9% Healthcare
• 8.7% Finance & Insurance
• 8.2% Retail
• 7.2% Hospitality
• 4.5% Manufacturing

Keep reading: A Look at the History of Ardmore Park, PA

Our Local Office

The Radnor, PA, personal injury lawyers at Justice Guardians help injured victims recover the financial compensation they truly deserve. Call to schedule your own free no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced team members.

Justice Guardians
7708 City Ave #208-A
Philadelphia, PA 19151
(484) 414-7404