Call Number:

19

Repository:

Lower Merion Historical Society

Extent:

0.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

circa 1880-1952

Creator:

Lower Merion Realty Company.

Abstract:

At the turn of the 20th century, the Roberts family of Lower Merion, Pennsylvania decided to consolidate its remaining farm land and form the Lower Merion Realty Company. The company successfully developed land along a new train line, conveniently constructed under the direction of Pennsylvania Railroad president George Brooke Roberts. The collection "Lower Merion Realty Company minute book, photographs, and brochures, circa 1880-1952," contains the minute book of meetings of Stockholders and Directors, 1906-1952, and one binder of photographs with two brochures.

From the 1830s the Reading Railroad prospered as its rail line brought anthracite coal to Philadelphia along the Schuylkill. 50 years later, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) bought nearby land and built a competing line, now truncated to South Eastern Pennsylvania Public Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Cynwyd line. As was the custom, the PRR bought more land than they needed and the Lower Merion Realty Company was established to develop the land and bring commuter traffic to the line, profiting some of their officers and family as well as the railroad.

Bibliography

Buten, Max, email message, July 3, 2012.

This collection contains the minute book of meetings of Stockholders and Directors, 1906-1952, and one binder of photographs with two brochures.