Place: Chester County (Pa.) / Creator: Downingtown Area Historical Society / Year: <span class="from" data-blrl-begin="1850">1850</span> to <span class="to" data-blrl-end="1899">1899</span> - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Start Over Place Chester County (Pa.) Creator Downingtown Area Historical Society Year 1850 to 1899

Extent:: 20.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The Borough of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania is located halfway between Philadelphia and Lancaster. Known as Milltown in the 18th century since it was the location of the last mills on the edge of the unsettled western frontier, the village became known as Downingtown after the War of 1812; the borough was incorporated in 1859. Improved transportation, by stagecoach, railroad, and eventually highways, drew increasing population and investment to Downingtown over the 19th and 20th centuries. The Downingtown Area Historical Society General Archives collection, 1843-2012, consists of various small accumulations of records (less than one linear foot) from businesses, clubs, organizations, individuals, and families based in or near Downingtown.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

Extent:: 7.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The Borough of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania is located halfway between Philadelphia and Lancaster. Known as Milltown in the 18th century since it was the location of the last mills on the edge of the unsettled western frontier, the village became known as Downingtown after the War of 1812; the borough was incorporated in 1859. Improved transportation, by stagecoach, railroad, and eventually highways, drew increasing population and investment to Downingtown over the 19th and 20th centuries. The Downingtown Area Historical Society photograph collection, circa 1870-1991, consists of photographs and postcards depicting the people, businesses, churches, organizations, and schools of the Downingtown area.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

Extent:: 10.0 linear feet
Abstract:: A number of small, mostly one-room schoolhouses already existed in the area of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania when the first high school was constructed there in 1874. In 1958, the nearby townships of East Caln, Uwchlan, West Bradford, East Brandywine, and Wallace united with Downingtown Borough to form a school district system; West Pikeland and Upper Uwchlan townships joined the district in 1961. The Downingtown Area Historical Society collection on schools, 1890-2013, consists of yearbooks, photographs, programs/invitations, scrapbooks, and other materials relating to Downingtown area schools, especially Downingtown High School. Because the Chester County Farm Show was held at Downingtown High School for many years, scrapbooks, slides, and photographs from the farm show, 1944-1963, also form part of this collection.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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