A Look into the Past of Folsom, PA

The slip and fall attorneys in Folsom, PA, at Schuster Law have shared the following insight on the town's history.

Folsom

Folsom is a census-designated place or CDP that is situated in the southeastern section of Delaware County in Pennsylvania. Along with several other communities, it helps to form Ridley Township. The neighboring communities include Swarthmore, Springfield Township, and Rutledge. The CDP is just eleven miles from Center City.

History

In 1644 the area became the home of many Swedish Immigrants. This was following the exploration of Henry Hudson in 1609. The Dutch followed the Swedish into the area in 1655.

The town was named after Frances Folsom, the wife of the President of the United States, Grover Cleveland. In 1886 the area began to sell lots for development. The Folsom Land Company, headed by the prominent landowner, Thomas T. Tasker, and lawyer William Henry Sutton. However, the company went out of business in 1894.

The Folsom Fire Co. No. 1 was founded by several members and originally gathered in a small office building of the Folsom Land Company. In 1909 they purchased land at Sutton Avenue and 4th. The firefighters at the time built the brick building. They were the first in the area to have a motorized vehicle that they purchased for only $30 from the Berwyn Fire Company. A second story was added to the firehouse in 1912. A new building was constructed in 1962 at the corner of MacDade Boulevard and Morton Avenue. The fire department resided in this building until the most recent construction of their current building was completed in 2005, costing over one million dollars.

On April 16, 1964, the first Wawa opened at the inspection of Swarthmore Avenue and MacDade Boulevard. The company originated as an iron foundry in 1803. Its main headquarters is located in the town of Chester Heights. This American chain of convenience stores was the largest in the state in 2008 and has expanded into the following states:

• New Jersey
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Virginia
• Washington, DC
• Florida

Neighborhood

Within the neighborhood is two of Ridley School District's public schools:

• Ridley High School - located on Morton Avenue
• Edgewood Elementary School - located on 8th Avenue

Most businesses are found along MacDade Boulevard and include:

• Let There Be Rock School
• Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
• Kababayan Fil-Am Store

Demographics

There were 8,072 people, including 3,162 households and 2,203 families within the neighborhood, according to the 2000 census. The racial makeup of the residents was as follows:

• 96.51% white
• 1.83% African American
• 0.59% Hispanic or Latino
• 1.07% Asian
• 0.01% Native American
• 0.11% other races
• 0.47% two or more races

The neighborhood's median household income as of the 2000 census was $50,750. For a family, the median income was $63,405. Men exceeded the income of women and averaged $46,938, while women averaged $30,789 per year.

Keep reading: A Historical Look at Crum Lynne, PA

Our Local Office

A slip and fall accident can happen to anyone and anywhere. Don't get swindled out of the compensation you are rightfully owed. Let our experienced Folsom, PA, slip and fall attorneys fight in your defense to get the maximum payout. Call today for your free consultation.

Schuster Law
405 Avenue of the States,
Chester, PA 19013, USA
(610) 872-4930