Call Number:

03

Repository:

Historical Society of Montgomery County

Extent:

11.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1792-1946 (inclusive)

Creator:

Historical Society of Montgomery County.

Abstract:

The Historical Society of Montgomery County transportation records collection, 1792-1946, consists of miscellaneous records relating to transportation in the vicinity of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The bulk of this collection is records of turnpike companies; there are also records from several bridge companies, the West Philadelphia Railroad Company, and other transportation-related materials. Most of the records are financial--stock transfers, dividend books, ledgers, etc.--but there is also some correspondence and other types of records.

Montgomery County, situated in southeastern Pennsylvania, was established in 1784 out of the western portion of Philadelphia County. Part of the Welsh Tract, an area of Pennsylvania settled by Quakers from Wales, it is located along the Schuylkill River. Montgomery County has played an important role in U.S. history, including being the site of such Revolutionary War events as the dramatic reshaping of Washington's Army at Valley Forge and the lesser-known engagement of General Lafayette at Barren Hill. Among its significant residents are military figures Winfield S. Hancock, John F. Hartranft (also Governor of Pennsylvania), and Henry "Hap" Arnold; abolitionist Lucretia Mott; inventors David Rittenhouse and Thaddeus Lowe; and artist Thomas Hovenden. Since its founding, Montgomery County has experienced "booming industry and manufacturing, rich farm fields, advanced transportation, artistic endeavors and unique religious beliefs."

The Historical Society of Montgomery County was established in 1881 as the institutional successor to the Federation of Montgomery County Historical Societies. The Society's mission is "to preserve the county's rich heritage and help tell the stories of the many people who have walked and tended its soil."

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: Historical Society of Montgomery County. "Home." Accessed March 2, 2012. http://www.hsmcpa.org/

This collection consists of miscellaneous records relating to transportation in the vicinity of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

The bulk of the collection is records of turnpike companies--companies that built and maintained toll roads. There are also records from several bridge companies, a minute book from the West Philadelphia Railroad Company, and other transportation-related materials. Most of the records are financial--stock transfers, dividend books, ledgers, etc.--but there are also some correspondence and other types of records. There is less than one linear foot of material, and sometimes less than an inch, for each of the transportation companies included in the collection.

A very rough inventory of the collection is provided below. It does NOT cover all the transportation-related records held by the Historical Society of Montgomery County, but provides a general sense of the types of material in the collection.

Company of the Schuylkill Bridge at Norristown stock certificate books (1828 and 1880), ledger, journals (2 volumes)

Delaware-Schuylkill Canal minutes, 1792-1793

Fox Chase and Huntingdon Turnpike Road Company records, 1803-1873

Gwynedd and Blue Bell Turnpike Company records

Gwynedd and Blue Bell Turnpike Company, minute book, 1868-1913

John M. Mears railroad collection of pamphlets and ephemera circa 1850-1946

Limekiln and Colebrookdale Turnpike Road Company

Limekiln Turnpike Company, director's minute book 1881-1921 and stockholder's minute book 1849-1921

Minutes regarding the bridge of the Schuylkill in Lawrenceville, Chester County

Montgomery County roads digest and index of court records, 1706-1784, (5 vols prepared by MCHS, 1921)

Norristown, Bridgeport, King of Prussia Turnpike Company journal and daybook, 1853-1891 and dividend book, 1853-1891

Norristown, Bridgeport, King of Prussia Turnpike Company stock ledger book

Philadelphia and Liverpool Line of Packets ticketing records of George McHenry & Company, Philadelphia scrapbook

Plymouth and Upper Dublin Turnpike Company (blank ledger)

Plymouth and Upper Dublin Turnpike Company stock certificates (blank)

Plymouth and Upper Dublin Turnpike Company, minute book, 1854-1856

Plymouth and Upper Dublin Turnpike notes and documents

Plymouth and Upper Dublin Turnpike Road Company transfer of stock forms and stock certificates

Schuylkill Bridge Company of Norristown stock transfers, 1828-1885 and account book, 1828-1836 and journal (1828-1838), docket (1850-1864)

Schuylkill River Bridge Company minutes, 1868-1885

Skippack Turnpike Road Company notes and documents, 1857-1875

Spring House and Hill Town Turnpike Company stock transfers, 1835-1920 and stock certificates, 1854-1917 and dividend book 1845-1917

Spring House and Hill Town Turnpike Company, dividend book, 1917

Spring House and Sumneytown Turnpike account books and papers

Spring House and Sumneytown Turnpike Company minutes (1845), receipt book (1847-1872), treasurer's book (1815-1874), treasurer's book (circa 1860)

Spring House and Sumneytown Turnpike Company records and ledger, circa 1850-1875

Spring House, Northampton Town, and Bethlehem Turnpike Company minutes, 1813-1853 and treasurer's book, 1849-1919 and toll book, 1849-1915 and stock ledger (1813-1917) and stock ledger index

Spring House, Northampton Town, and Bethlehem Turnpike minute books, 1918-1921 and 1854-1917

West Norriton roads and highways notes and documents

West Philadelphia Railroad Company minute book, 1835-1842

Whitemarsh and Plymouth Turnpike Company and the John Wood & Brothers Company notes and documents

Whitemarsh and Plymouth Turnpike Company notes, documents and minute book

charters and insurance documents for local turnpike companies

charters and insurance documents for local turnpike companies

Miscellaneous civil engineering and turnpike road company records