Laura E. Beardsley

Historic Photos of the Main Line - Historic Photos Laura E. Beardsley

The history of the Main Line began in 1832 with the building of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railway, which opened the area to Philadelphia and points west for the movement of people and freight. Along that line would rise the communities of Overbrook, Merion, Narberth, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, Villanova, Radnor, St. Davids, Wayne, Strafford, Devon, Berwyn, Daylesford, and Paoli. The images collected in Historic Photos of the Main Line combine to form a remarkable portrait of this unique array of communities. Included among many other vignettes and numerous subjects are the Devon Horse Show, visits by presidents Taft, Wilson, and Coolidge, the Autocar Company of Ardmore, the 1900 Class of Wynnewood Public School, I. A. Cleaver's General Store, Villanova University, the General Wayne Inn, Narberth's oldest house, and of course, the railroads. In stunning black-and-white photography, this handsome book details the historical growth of the Main Line from its early days up to recent times. Spanning two centuries and nearly 200 images, the book follows the growth of this history-rich region, offering a compelling look into the past for any longtime resident of the area and every history buff of the Main Line.