King of Prussia Historical Society | Category Archives: E-History Fact

Local Communities Past and Present

Posted on October 19, 2019 by admin2

Posted in E-History Fact

In June, the King of Prussia Historical Society received an inquiry for a list of local communities from Upper Merion Township Police Officer Joseph Davies. The idea was to display these communities on a new police van.

This request generated quite a bit of discussion among the Society leadership. Between old village names and the names of new developments, the list grew quite long and eventually led to the interactive map of Place Names of the Upper Merion Area Through Time, now posted on our website.

https://www.kophistory.org/NeighborhoodMaps/index.html

We are happy to see that those names are also now memorialized on the van. Great idea, Officer Davies!

Old Roberts Schoolhouse

Posted on October 12, 2019 by admin2

Posted in E-History Fact

Painting of Old Schoolhouse Showed It Had Second Story
by Ed Dybicz (date unknown)

When the “Old Roberts Schoolhouse” on Croton rd. Upper Merion, was being reconstructed some years ago by the King of Prussia Historical Society, notices appeared in local newspapers requesting any photograph or painting so that the rebuilding would be as exact in detail as possible.

Unfortunately, no such photos were forthcoming or, for that matter, was any painting found.

However, later research did reveal a description of the Old Roberts Schoolhouse. This came about when an article written in 1935 was found in the archives of the Historical Society of Montgomery County in Norristown. It was discovered that a painting of the schoolhouse was made by artist K. H. Jaeger of King of Prussia. The whereabouts of the painting in not known.

But it was one of about 30 sketches that Jaeger painted in oil depicting many views of the historic spots, hills, buildings and valleys of Upper Merion.

Jaeger’s artistic work was twice as interesting becasue he would write a description of his painting. These were on exhibit in Norristown, Philadelphia and New York. The display in Norristown drew many people and among the paintings was a sketch of the Old Roberts Schoolhouse.

Jaeger wrote the following: “Built about 1848 on Croton rd., at the foot of French’s Hill, on the edge of the Hundred Mile Woods by the Hon. Jonathan Roberts, Upper Merion’s only United Sates Senator, and given by him to the township for the education of pupils from the Henderson, Hughes and Roberts Farms, and for others from the Martin’s Dam section, who had formerly walked to the “Mud College’ located on the Roberts’ farm on Gulph rd, now known as the Buttonwood Lodge.

“The school, originally a one-story structure, was later enlarged by a brick addition at the front, and still later, by the addition of a frame second-story.

“Abandoned as a school in 1917, it reverted under terms of the original deed to the Roberts estate, was sold, and lying idle. Since then, it has fallen into eerie state of dissolution and decay, with the woods gradually creeping over it again.”

From the ruins of the foundation and stone back wall, the King of Prussia Historical Society in 1960 finished recreating the one-room schoolhouse.

Upper Merion’s First Police Officer

Posted on September 21, 2019 by admin2

Posted in E-History Fact

As a result of the community pressure, the Argument Court of Montgomery County, during its September 1931 Session, handed down a decision giving supervisors of a second class township permission to use road tax money to support a police department.

In September 1931, the Upper Merion Township Supervisors officially appointed Lester Smull of Mount Pleasant as “policeman of Upper Merion Township.” The supervisors voted Smull a salary of $100.00 per month and authorized the purchase of a uniform, a gun, a badge, and a two-door sedan.

Previously, the township was policed by two constables. The Bridgeport Police Department would come into Upper Merion to assist, and investigations were usually conducted by the State Police or by the Norristown Police Department.

Alderbrook Mansion

Posted on September 14, 2019 by admin2

Posted in E-History Fact

Alderbrook Mansion was built in 1860

By Ed Dybicz
24 OCT 1990 King of Prussia Courier/Suburban

According to records of the Holstein-Ellis Library, Alderbrook Mansion was built in 1860. However, a fire in 1908 destroyed the third floor. When the mansion was rebuilt, a tablet was placed with the 1908 date.

Records of April 1, 1908 describe the fire: “Alderbrook, the country seat of the Philadelphia business man, Howard B. French, near King of Prussia, was totally destroyed by fire last night.

“The house, which was one of the finest in the Chester Valley region, was discovered to be on fire about six o’clock. As there is no fire company nearer than Wayne, the house was at the mercy of the flames and by the time the Wayne company arrived, its apparatus was powerless to check the fire.

“As the fire started on the third floor, it was possible for neighbors to save some of the furnishings. Much, however, was damaged by being thrown from the windows.

“The legs of a grand piano, for instance, were broken by the hurry to get it out of the building. The house was built forty-eight years ago. With contents the damage was probably $100,000, fully covered by insurance.

“The origin of the fire is a mystery, but it is supposed that men and women cleaners who were in the house yesterday, preparing for the summer occupancy of it by Mr. French and family, inadvertently were the cause.

“The fire was discovered by Upper Merion School Director David M. Ellis, who happened to be in that vicinity when it started. Mr. Ellis rode into King of Prussia where he informed residents, but many of them thought the first story was an April 1 joke. They finally believed Mr. Ellis’ story and they, with him, assisted in saving many things from the flames. “Alderbrook” was one of the finest residences in this section.”

Rare Treasures Were Destroyed

3 APR 1908

…While many of the valuable furnishings were carried from the house before the blaze reached them, many treasured paintings, antique china and rare books were destroyed, included in the loss being an old mahogany chest that had been handed down from one generation to another since the year 1734. “Alderbrook,” as the house was known was originally valued at $250,000.

Chief among the articles destroyed was a boudoir suit of old mahogany from the royal palace at Madrid, which was purchased abroad by Mr. French several years ago. In the bed of the suit, which formerly belonged to Alfonso XII, it is said, the present king of Spain was born.

Notes from Ed. Thomas’ 10 Oct 1982 speech at the installation of the Memorial Plaques honoring Annah Colket French McKaig and Marjorie French McKaig:

The lands belonged to Marjorie’s ancestors as far back as 1709.
On April 1, 1908, the original house burned to the ground. It was soon fully rebuilt, perhaps starting in 1908, since that is the date on a stone high in the east wall. The estate included a lake complete with boat house and a water pumping system.
the McKaig Nature Educational Center will continue to point out the devotion to conservation of natural space so freely given by Annah Colket French McKaig and her daughter Marjorie French McKaig.