Wayne
The town of Wayne, located in Radnor Township, is one of the older and livelier towns
along the Main line. Wayne was one of the nation’s first suburban developments with
electricity, water and drainage. Such a set of advantages has attracted residents to
Wayne for the past 100 years. Wayne is a clean, beautifully landscaped town, with rich
historical buildings that stand as evidence of its past development. Wayne Hall and the
Opera House are local attractions, the three-storied hall being one of the tallest buildings
to first be erected in the Main Line region.
The town of Wayne proper was first established when a wealthy banker named J. Henry
Askin purchased a large amount of farmland, on which he planned on building a large
Victorian development, named Louella after his two daughters Louisa and Ella. The
area became a popular country escape for city dwellers. Eventually, the railroad made
it possible for some of these wealthy businessmen to actually relocate themselves
and their families to the town. Additional communities began to develop around the
area, and the town’s name soon changed from Louella to Wayne, a name it inherited
from the famous General Anthony Wayne. Broad streets were drawn out and a drainage
system was established. Although North and South Wayne first arose as separate
communities, they later agreed to form associations in order to share the responsibilities
of fire protection, street lighting and other community interests.
The neighborhood of North Wayne was the
town’s first development. Houses were built
and designed by professional architects William
L. and Frank L. Price. The development even
comprised several different styles of houses,
such as the Bruin Lodge, Flemish House, Pillar
House and the Round End House. The
neighborhood of South Wayne soon followed
the first development. Built south of the train
tracks, the houses in this neighborhood were
much grander than its northern counterpart. Renowned architects such as William
Price and Horace Trumbauer designed many of the new construction in South Wayne,
making it a very desirable neighborhood to live in.
Unlike some of the other Main Line towns, Wayne did not grow haphazardly, and its
development did not solely depend on population increases. Wayne was not an
unplanned conglomeration of cottages, but a town that had been planned from the
very start to provide residents with all the conveniences they needed. The scheme of
the town was well thought out by affluent, liberal gentlemen, and as such, no expense
was spared in the preliminary municipal work of the town.
Wayne was deliberately chosen as a site on which to establish a residential
development. It has a healthful elevation, and conveniently embraced within its limits
three train stations: St. David’s, Wayne and Eagle. Wayne not only had good drainage
but also had its own natural springs of pure water, from which the town’s water supply
is still drawn toady. Water works and a three-gallon water reservoir were built and an
electric company was formed, furnishing the streets and cottages with light. Wayne’s
streets are also broad, graveled and shaded. Therefore, Wayne has been outfitted from
the very start with all the conveniences of city life: water, drainage and electricity.
For over hundred years, Wayne has been considered one of the best western suburbs
of Philadelphia in which to live and raise a family. The school system is one of the finest
in the country, while the income is very high and the crime rate very low. Wayne boasts of
excellent public schools and parochial schools, including the nearby Devereaux School,
which caters to children with educational difficulties. Most residents have higher degrees
of education, and work either as executives or have professional occupations.
Wayne is also conveniently located at a short
distance from many golf courses, colleges,
parks, libraries, shopping areas, restaurants
and entertainment. Wayne’s first movie theater
was located on North Wayne Avenue, and in
1928, a new movie theater called the Anthony
Wayne Theater was built on Lancaster Avenue.
Furthermore, the Radnor Cricket Club, first
established as the Merryvale Athletic Association,
held their meetings at the Wayne Hall. With its
own specialty shops, Wayne is one of the most popular shopping areas of the Main Line
region. The Wayne Farmer’s Market, open three days a week, is a local favorite of the
Main Line. Wayne, like many other Main Line towns, has a strong community which helps
ensure its growth and development as well as conserve its heritage. The area supports
many clubs and organizations such as The Radnor Historical Society, the Main Line
Community Orchestra, the Wayne Art Center and the League of Women Voters.
Houses in Wayne range from the Victorian to Colonial, many of which are located
in beautifully landscaped grounds or charming tree-lined streets. Midland Avenue is one
of Wayne’s longest residential streets and its houses are considered to be some of the
most architecturally interesting in the region.
