Borough of Collegeville - A Brief History

Home

The Borough of Collegeville

A Brief History

FAQ

Community Map

The Borough > About the Borough
A Brief History

Stone Arch Bridge over the Perkiomen Creek, Collegeville, PA
Picture postcard courtesy A. J. Zvarick

The history of the Borough cannot be separated from the history of the region. To provide a perspective, however, here is an overview of some of the events that molded present day Collegeville.

1684	"All the land lying on the Pahkehoma" is purchased by William Penn from the Indian Chief Sachem Maughaughsin. The land was subsequently sold to Thomas Rudyard of London.
1698	Edward Lane purchases 2,500 acres from Thomas Rudyard which includes the present day towns of Collegeville, Trappe, Evansberg, and Schwenksville.
1701	William Penn confirms by patent Edward Lane's purchase. Lane builds the original section of what is now the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel.
1708	Edward Lane bequeaths all land lying west of the Perkiomen, including the present day Collegeville, to his son Samuel.
1717	John Jacob Schrack erects a log building just west of the current Collegeville border and becomes the first settler in the present day Trappe.
1728	"All the land lying on the Pahkehoma", originally purchased by William Penn, is released (again) by Delaware Indians for "two guns, six coats, six blankets, six duffel match coats, and four kettles".
1743	Augustus Lutheran Church built in Trappe.
1797	Pennsylvania Legislature approves lottery to raise funds for the purpose of building a bridge over the Perkiomen to replace the dangerous "Phillips Ford".
1799	Perkiomen Bridge completed at a cost of $60,000. The area near the bridge on the lower end of present day Collegeville is now named "Perkiomen Bridge".
1832	Andrew Todd starts the first school for primary and secondary students, 6-12 years old.
1844	Todd School's name changed to Freeland Public School.
1846	Trinity Reformed Church founded by Bishop Abraham Hunsicker.
1847	First post office established in Perkiomen Bridge, Edward Evans Postmaster.
1848	Henry A. Hunsicker builds the "Freeland Seminary of Perkiomen Bridge". Village around the school becomes known as Freeland.
1851	Abraham Hunsicker founds the Pennsylvania Female College.
1861	Post Office moved to the store of Frank M. Hobson at the current street of Fifth Avenue and Main Street. Name changed to Freeland.
1867	Toll house erected on the Perkiomen Bridge. Local citizens throw the gate into the creek and burn the toll house.
1868	First train arrives in Collegeville. Station named "Collegeville" in 1869.
1869	Freeland Seminary purchased by Ursinus College and made into the preparatory department for the new college.
1873	Second toll house erected after a court order that a gate could not be maintained within one mile of the bridge. Local citizens again burn the toll house.
1875	The Collegeville Independent newspaper founded in Trappe under the name The Providence Independent by Elwood Smith Moser.
1888	Collegeville Driving Park opened for horse racing on the current site of Clahor and Park Avenue.
1891	Collegeville Fire Company organized as a result of a fire at the Collegeville Ice Manufacturing Company and Roberts Machine Company.
1896	Decree issued on June 2nd petitioning the court to incorporate Collegeville. The decree was certified on June 9th. First election held on July 2nd with J. Shelley Weinburger elected as the first Burgess. First telephones installed. First trolley tracks installed.
1897	Council straightens, widens, and macadamizes Main Street with moneys received from trolley operator — the Schuylkill Valley Traction Company. Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Park Avenues dedicated as well as Chestnut Street. Collegeville Borough School at Fifth and Park Avenue completed to replace old school.
1902	Trolley line from Collegeville to Sanatoga and Pottstown completed. Trolley now operates from Philadelphia to Pottstown. Powerhouse built at Collegeville.
1911	St. Eleanor Church founded by Reverend Thomas J. Sullivan. Trappe Fire Company organized.
1933	Last trolley runs through town on September 9th. Schuylkill Valley Bus Company begins service.
1936	Joint Water Authority formed with Trappe Borough
1938	Collegeville Trappe joint school district is formed.
1940	First borough police officer, George Moyer, appointed.
1955	Last passenger train leaves Collegeville on July 15th.
1976	Last freight train passes through Collegeville. Last tracks removed by 1980.
1985	Rt. 422 Expressway - a limited access highway linking King of Prussia and the Schuylill Expressway to Reading - opens in Montgomery County. Rt. 29 exits to Collegeville and Phoenixville.
1991	First Pharaceutical - Rhone-Poulenc Rorer - moves corporate headquarters to Collegeville.
1996	Community of the Borough of Collegeville celebrates centennial.
1999	Collegeville region celebrates bi-centennial of the Perkiomen Bridge.

Bulleted content originally published as "Events in the History of Collegeville" in the program for the Collegeville Centenial - 1996.
Additional content added.

Anarchy in Collegeville
1867 - Toll house erected on the Perkiomen Bridge. Local citizens throw the gate into the creek and burn the toll house.

They're At It Again
1873 - Second toll house erected after a court order that a gate could not be maintained within one mile of the bridge. Local citizens again burn the toll house.