North Wales, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
North Wales is a borough in Montgomery County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. It is a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, and is one of the three historic population centers that make up the North Penn Valley
. The population was 3,229 at the 2010 census.
Like many small boroughs in Pennsylvania, North Wales is at "build out", meaning that its boundaries have not kept up with population growth. Summarily, many businesses and residences with North Wales addresses are located in outlying townships that were never annexed by the borough, such as the Montgomery Mall
in Montgomery Township
. North Wales is in the North Penn School District
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), all of it land.
immigrants who named it after North Wales
in Wales
. (For more on Welsh settlements in colonial Pennsylvania, see "Welsh Tract
".) Part of a 1702 William Penn land grant, this rich farming country was given the name "Gwynedd" for the homeland of the earliest settlers and it began as a pastoral village in agricultural Gwynedd Township.
Before 1850, a number of farms, plus a 1776 church, shared by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, dotted the present borough's landscape. What is now Main Street was originally an old Indian trail, and was laid out as the Great Road in 1728. By 1828, it had become today's Sumneytown Pike, and was a toll road until 1914. It had always been an important route to Philadelphia, and continues to serve as a connection to Routes 202 and 309 to the east and the Northeastern Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the west.
Its rural character was abruptly disrupted by the building of the North Pennsylvania Railroad
starting in 1852. Service from Bethlehem
to Philadelphia
through North Wales began in 1857. The town quickly grew around the railroad station, with hotels and restaurants lining Walnut Street and Main Street within walking distance. North Wales is the oldest of the North Penn boroughs, incorporated in 1869, by taking land from today's Upper Gwynedd Township
, then the northern portion of Gwynedd Township.
Some of the large homes at the start of the 20th century were opened to summer guests from the city. "Idlewilde", still present on Main Street, hosted the Emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro II, when he was visiting Philadelphia to open the 1876 U.S. Centennial Exhibition with President Ulysses S. Grant.
During the late 19th and early 20th century, much of North Wales borough's housing was built. Most houses along South Main Street between Montgomery and Prospects Streets remain much as they were when built and are lovingly maintained. The borough also features a variety of single family homes, as well as twins, and rowhomes.
Between 1900 and 1926, Lehigh Valley Transit Company operated its Chestnut Hill Branch trolley line, which connected North Wales to surrounding towns through service to either Philadelphia or Allentown
. The trolley ran down Main Street through the borough, but detoured onto Pennsylvania Avenue for two blocks to enable it to cross the North Penn Railroad
on a bridge. The bridge was required because the railroad, citing safety concerns, refused to allow the trolleys to cross at the Main Street grade crossing. Lehigh Valley Transit Company's combined passenger/freight station was located on the north (east) side of Pennsylvania Avenue between Shearer Street and Montgomery Avenue. After Main Street trolley service ended in 1926, Lehigh Valley Transit high-speed trolleys continued to serve the Wales Junction station, located on Sumneytown Pike three-quarters of a mile west of town. High-speed trolley serviced ended in September 1951.
Passenger rail service to North Wales is currently provided by SEPTA. Many North Wales residents commute to Center City, Philadelphia
by the Lansdale/Doylestown Line
train. The 1870s-vintage brick railroad station, thoroughly restored in 2010, is open weekdays from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In 2000, the North Wales Historic Preservation District was established by Borough Council and the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission to protect the architecture that is a visual reminder of the borough's past. It is the first Historic District in the North Penn boroughs.
The borough is also home to St. Rose of Lima Catholic School.
The Wee Walers park is on Shearer St. and it is a playground developed for children ages 2 to 10.
Second Street Park, located at Second Street & Prospect Avenue, is a tennis court area open to the public seven days a week, closing at dusk.
Ninth Street Park, located at Ninth & Church Streets is a watershed runoff area designed to attract birds. There is a trail that goes through park with footbridge over the drainage area and is a nice natural-feeling area.
The Fourth Street Park is an approximately 11000 square feet (1,021.9 m²) open area used for various sporting activities. The clay totem poles were made by residents.
Eighth Street Park, also known as "A Child's Garden," was developed by local children. It has a brick walking path, plantings and benches.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 3,342 people, 1,299 households, and 869 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 5,848.7 people per square mile (2,263.8/km²). There were 1,330 housing units at an average density of 2,327.6 per square mile (900.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 90.31% White, 4.82% African American, 0.06% Native American, 2.09% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races
, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.
There were 1,299 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $54,605, and the median income for a family was $63,235. Males had a median income of $41,265 versus $33,045 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $26,590. About 3.2% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
and a nine-member borough council. The mayor is Doug Ross and the President of Council is Michael McDonald.
The borough is part of the Thirteenth Congressional District (represented by Rep. Allyson Schwartz
), the 61st State House District (represented by State Representative Kate Harper) and the 12th State Senate District (represented by State Senator Stewart Greenleaf).
One officer is assigned to the Montgomery County D.U.I. Task Force. This officer along with officers from surrounding departments participates in DUI road check points and DUI roving patrols in our community.
Three officers are Special Agents for the Montgomery County Drug Task Force.
One officer is assigned to the Montgomery County Tobacco Compliance program. This program monitors sales of tobacco and meets with local merchants concerning sales to minors.
One officer is part of the Community Action Team for Domestic Violence.
One officer is certified E.M.T. (Emergency Medical Technician).
Two officers are certified Firearms Instructors / both NRA and State Police Certified.
Two officers are Crisis Intervention Specialists who deal with mental health issues.
Tactical Response Team:
The North Wales Police Department has one officer assigned to the North Penn Tactical Response Team. The team was formed in 1981, and is composed of highly trained professionals, from six local police departments, who respond to high-risk situations.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, and is one of the three historic population centers that make up the North Penn Valley
North Penn Valley
The North Penn Valley is a region of Philadelphia suburbs and exurbs in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It is somewhat congruent with the North Penn School District. It contains the boroughs of North Wales, Lansdale, and Hatfield, as well as the surrounding townships...
. The population was 3,229 at the 2010 census.
Like many small boroughs in Pennsylvania, North Wales is at "build out", meaning that its boundaries have not kept up with population growth. Summarily, many businesses and residences with North Wales addresses are located in outlying townships that were never annexed by the borough, such as the Montgomery Mall
Montgomery Mall (Pennsylvania)
Montgomery Mall is a two-story shopping mall located in Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania near North Wales. The mall, owned by Simon Property Group, is located along Pennsylvania Route 309 at the intersection with U.S. Route 202 , amidst other commercial development...
in Montgomery Township
Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 24,790 at the 2010 census. It is the location of the Montgomery Mall, a regional shopping mall serving the Route 309 corridor of the Philadelphia suburbs. Much of Montgomery Township's...
. North Wales is in the North Penn School District
North Penn School District
The North Penn School District is a regional public school district that consists of thirteen elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school...
.
Location
North Wales is located at 40°12′39"N 75°16′30"W (40.210703, -75.274994).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), all of it land.
History
As its name suggests, North Wales was settled by WelshWelsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
immigrants who named it after North Wales
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. (For more on Welsh settlements in colonial Pennsylvania, see "Welsh Tract
Welsh Tract
The Welsh Tract, also called the Welsh Barony, was a portion of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania settled largely by Welsh-speaking Quakers. It covers 40,000 acres to the west of Philadelphia...
".) Part of a 1702 William Penn land grant, this rich farming country was given the name "Gwynedd" for the homeland of the earliest settlers and it began as a pastoral village in agricultural Gwynedd Township.
Before 1850, a number of farms, plus a 1776 church, shared by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, dotted the present borough's landscape. What is now Main Street was originally an old Indian trail, and was laid out as the Great Road in 1728. By 1828, it had become today's Sumneytown Pike, and was a toll road until 1914. It had always been an important route to Philadelphia, and continues to serve as a connection to Routes 202 and 309 to the east and the Northeastern Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the west.
Its rural character was abruptly disrupted by the building of the North Pennsylvania Railroad
North Pennsylvania Railroad
North Pennsylvania Railroad was a railroad company formed in 1855, and served Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Bucks County and Northampton County, Pennsylvania.-History:...
starting in 1852. Service from Bethlehem
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
to Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
through North Wales began in 1857. The town quickly grew around the railroad station, with hotels and restaurants lining Walnut Street and Main Street within walking distance. North Wales is the oldest of the North Penn boroughs, incorporated in 1869, by taking land from today's Upper Gwynedd Township
Upper Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania
Upper Gwynedd Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 15,552 at the 2010 census. North Wales Borough is surrounded by Upper Gwynedd Township on all sides, and many homes and businesses with North Wales addresses are actually in Upper Gwynedd...
, then the northern portion of Gwynedd Township.
Some of the large homes at the start of the 20th century were opened to summer guests from the city. "Idlewilde", still present on Main Street, hosted the Emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro II, when he was visiting Philadelphia to open the 1876 U.S. Centennial Exhibition with President Ulysses S. Grant.
During the late 19th and early 20th century, much of North Wales borough's housing was built. Most houses along South Main Street between Montgomery and Prospects Streets remain much as they were when built and are lovingly maintained. The borough also features a variety of single family homes, as well as twins, and rowhomes.
Between 1900 and 1926, Lehigh Valley Transit Company operated its Chestnut Hill Branch trolley line, which connected North Wales to surrounding towns through service to either Philadelphia or Allentown
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
. The trolley ran down Main Street through the borough, but detoured onto Pennsylvania Avenue for two blocks to enable it to cross the North Penn Railroad
North Pennsylvania Railroad
North Pennsylvania Railroad was a railroad company formed in 1855, and served Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Bucks County and Northampton County, Pennsylvania.-History:...
on a bridge. The bridge was required because the railroad, citing safety concerns, refused to allow the trolleys to cross at the Main Street grade crossing. Lehigh Valley Transit Company's combined passenger/freight station was located on the north (east) side of Pennsylvania Avenue between Shearer Street and Montgomery Avenue. After Main Street trolley service ended in 1926, Lehigh Valley Transit high-speed trolleys continued to serve the Wales Junction station, located on Sumneytown Pike three-quarters of a mile west of town. High-speed trolley serviced ended in September 1951.
Passenger rail service to North Wales is currently provided by SEPTA. Many North Wales residents commute to Center City, Philadelphia
Center City, Philadelphia
Center City, or Downtown Philadelphia includes the central business district and central neighborhoods of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. As of 2005, its population of over 88,000 made it the third most populous downtown in the United States, after New York City's and Chicago's...
by the Lansdale/Doylestown Line
Lansdale/Doylestown Line
The Lansdale/Doylestown Line is a SEPTA Regional Rail line connecting Center City Philadelphia to Doylestown in Bucks County.-Route:The Lansdale-Doylestown segment of the R5 line utilizes what is known as the "SEPTA Main Line", a four-track line that has been owned by SEPTA since 1983...
train. The 1870s-vintage brick railroad station, thoroughly restored in 2010, is open weekdays from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In 2000, the North Wales Historic Preservation District was established by Borough Council and the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission to protect the architecture that is a visual reminder of the borough's past. It is the first Historic District in the North Penn boroughs.
Business District
North Wales' Main and Walnut Streets have been home to many businesses over the town's history and these two thoroughfares still serve the community today by providing a number of basic services such as one Tae Kwon Do school, two banks, a variety of hair salons and beauty parlors, a pharmacy, doctors' offices, a dry cleaner, a running and walking shoe specialty store, a yoga studio, two auto repair facilities, two auto body shops, two laundromats, a post office, convenience store, and a custom cabinetry shop, among many others. Eateries and bars include two pizza parlors a tex-mex restaurant, two cafes and two bakeries.Community Outreach
The borough houses the headquarters for the Montgomery County Association for the Blind, as well as the non-profit organization The Lamb Foundation, which provides housing and life skills support to the area's mentally-challenged residents. The Lamb Foundation also runs a consignment/second hand shop, Sweet Repeats, located on South 5th St. near the North Wales train station. The borough also is home to the Boy Scouts of America Pack/Troop 84, whose meeting place is located at Second and Church Streets.Schools & Library
The borough is home to North Wales Elementary School, which is part of the North Penn School District. The school formerly housed the North Wales Memorial Free Library from 1927 to 2009. Due to the growing number of students at school, as well as the Library's need for more space, the library has purchased and recently relocated to a much larger (10,000 ft2, over 900 m2) building at 233 South Swartley Street. They began operating with limited hours at the new location on January 4, 2010, and had their grand opening in April 2010. The library has also changed its name to "North Wales Area Library" upon its move.The borough is also home to St. Rose of Lima Catholic School.
Parks & Recreation
Weingartner Park is located at Second and Summit Streets with a large variety of trees. There are many pathways and benches to enjoy and the park is particularly shady and breezy during the spring and summer months.The Wee Walers park is on Shearer St. and it is a playground developed for children ages 2 to 10.
Second Street Park, located at Second Street & Prospect Avenue, is a tennis court area open to the public seven days a week, closing at dusk.
Ninth Street Park, located at Ninth & Church Streets is a watershed runoff area designed to attract birds. There is a trail that goes through park with footbridge over the drainage area and is a nice natural-feeling area.
The Fourth Street Park is an approximately 11000 square feet (1,021.9 m²) open area used for various sporting activities. The clay totem poles were made by residents.
Eighth Street Park, also known as "A Child's Garden," was developed by local children. It has a brick walking path, plantings and benches.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, the borough was 87.7% White, 5.1% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.5% Asian, and 3.5% were two or more races. 3.8% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/PA#locality-tab.As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,342 people, 1,299 households, and 869 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 5,848.7 people per square mile (2,263.8/km²). There were 1,330 housing units at an average density of 2,327.6 per square mile (900.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 90.31% White, 4.82% African American, 0.06% Native American, 2.09% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.
There were 1,299 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $54,605, and the median income for a family was $63,235. Males had a median income of $41,265 versus $33,045 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $26,590. About 3.2% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
North Wales has a borough form of government with a mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and a nine-member borough council. The mayor is Doug Ross and the President of Council is Michael McDonald.
The borough is part of the Thirteenth Congressional District (represented by Rep. Allyson Schwartz
Allyson Schwartz
Allyson Young Schwartz is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes parts of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia...
), the 61st State House District (represented by State Representative Kate Harper) and the 12th State Senate District (represented by State Senator Stewart Greenleaf).
Police
The North Wales Police Department, headed by Chief Barry J. Hackert, has four full time and four part-time officers.One officer is assigned to the Montgomery County D.U.I. Task Force. This officer along with officers from surrounding departments participates in DUI road check points and DUI roving patrols in our community.
Three officers are Special Agents for the Montgomery County Drug Task Force.
One officer is assigned to the Montgomery County Tobacco Compliance program. This program monitors sales of tobacco and meets with local merchants concerning sales to minors.
One officer is part of the Community Action Team for Domestic Violence.
One officer is certified E.M.T. (Emergency Medical Technician).
Two officers are certified Firearms Instructors / both NRA and State Police Certified.
Two officers are Crisis Intervention Specialists who deal with mental health issues.
Tactical Response Team:
The North Wales Police Department has one officer assigned to the North Penn Tactical Response Team. The team was formed in 1981, and is composed of highly trained professionals, from six local police departments, who respond to high-risk situations.
Notable people
- John OatesJohn OatesJohn William Oates is an American rock, R&B and soul guitarist, musician, songwriter and producer best known as half of the rock and soul duo Hall & Oates ....
, of the popular Blue-Eyed Soul group, Hall & OatesHall & OatesHall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
was raised in North Wales. - William B. T. TregoWilliam B. T. TregoWilliam Brooke Thomas Trego was an American painter best known for his historical military subjects, in particular scenes of the American Revolution and Civil War.- Biography :...
, well known historical painter resided at 509 E Montgomery Ave - Sharon LittleSharon LittleSharon Little is an American singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Biography:While working as a waitress in Philadelphia, Little performed with local bands and independently released an album in 2006 titled Drawing Circles before being signed to CBS Records in early 2008...
, Singer/Songwriter - Tom Cipriano (a.k.a. Captain Janks), prank phone caller, frequent guest on Howard SternHoward SternHoward Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
's radio program - Jay "La-z-boy" Joseph, former UNC (Greensboro) basketball player, known for producing good stats with minimal effort