Gladwyne
Gladwyne, a delightful village-like town of Lower Merion Township, is one of the premier
living locations of the Philadelphia area. With four churches, a synagogue, a library that
sponsors many activities, several schools, playgrounds, parks, businesses and retail
shops, Gladwyne is a delightful center of activity that fulfills all the requirements of its
residents and visitors.
Originally called Merion Square by its first Quaker
settlers in 1682, Gladwyne was the first village
created in what is now known as the Lower
Merion Township. Although some of the first
structures erected in the town were log cabins,
stone houses and mills soon followed along Mill
Creek. While some of these structures are still
extant today, and have been converted into homes
or offices, others are in ruins and stand as
symbols of Gladwyne’s old mill industry.
The number of new English and German settlers in Gladwyne soon outranked that of the
Welsh. In 1830, new neighborhoods sprung along the newly constructed Philadelphia
and Lancaster Railroad, bolstering the village’s commercial and residential life. However,
Gladwyne was slightly more distanced from the railroad than other Lower Merion towns
such as Villanova and Bryn Mawr, and thus remained more of a village than a town. Most
of Gladwyne’s residents were farmers, whose social life revolved around the village’s
three churches.
Soon after the Civil War, however, wealthy Philadelphia businessmen recognized
Gladwyne’s charm and appeal. They began to purchase the existing farms and built
summer residences that soon became year-round homes. As in other Main Line towns,
this led to the development of large estates and luxurious mansions. In 1927, however,
these large houses and plots of land were subdivided into smaller properties.
Because of its small size, Gladwyne cannot offer its residents as wide a number of retail
or businesses as its neighboring towns, although Bryn Mawr and Villanova are a few
minutes away. However, the little village is rich with history and local flavor. One can still
find luxurious English Tudor Manors, or large colonial homes, nestled in wide, park-like
grounds that still serve as residences. Gladwyne is also well known for the Delaware
Market House, an upscale specialty food store. While local shoppers rely on the Market
House for everyday items, it is best known for its gourmet foods, which the establishment
delivers to residents’ doors.
Another local favorite is the famous Guard House
Inn (www.guardhouseinn.com). This historic
Gladwyne building houses one of the finest
restaurants of the Philadelphia area. Originally
erected in 1790, the Old Guard Inn was meant to
be a tavern, although it soon became the Merion
Square Hotel, and is rumored to have housed
George Washington during the Civil War. The Inn
is renown for its world-class gourmet food and
wine. Perfectly fitted to Gladwyne’s charming,
rustic atmosphere, The Guard House Inn welcomes residents and visitors with warm
hospitality and an old world, romantic candlelight setting.
Finally, Gladwyne provides residents and visitors with a wide variety of parks and
recreational centers. While it locally houses Rolling Hill Park, Valley Forge is a mere
20 minutes away, and offers various activities such as fly fishing, horseback riding, an
R/C Model Airplane area, hiking and bicycling. Gladwyne, with its village-like atmosphere,
small town center and rustic houses, allows both residents and visitors a glimpse into
Pennsylvania and the nation’s past. Its quaint character, large mansions and safe
neighborhoods, make Gladwyne one of the most sought-after residential communities
of the Main Line.
www.gladwyne.com www.gladwyne.org
