Join the Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance and Lower Merion Conservancy on a bike tour of several historic neighborhoods in Haverford and Lower Merion Townships bordering the Pennsylvania and Western Railway (presently known as the Norristown High Speed Line). Our tour will begin at the Grange Estate in Havertown with a half-hour introduction to the history of the "P & W" and the symbiotic relationship of this electric railroad with three early-twentieth-century residential real estate developments: Beechwood, Brookline, and Penfield. The bike tour itself, which will take us to some of the historic sites and landmarks associated with these developments (including a lost amusement park dating to 1907), will last approximately 1.5 hours and will end at the Grange. Please note that the tour route contains a few moderately difficult hills. As each participant will receive a reference a map and small booklet illustrating stops along the way, it is advisable to bring a small backpack or other storage item (basket, etc.)
Free street parking is available around the Grange in addition to the small lot they have. For those taking SEPTA, attendees can get off at either the Township Line or Penfield stations of the Norristown High Speed Line and ride their bike the rest of the way. The 103 bus also stops nearby in multiple spots along Earlington Road.
Grange Estate
143 Myrtle Avenue, Havertown
Route includes moderately difficult hills. Please bring water and a backpack for tour materials. Rain date October 19, 2019.