Pennsylvania Main Line
Encyclopedia : P : PE : PEN : Pennsylvania Main Line
- For the historic canal, see Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works.
- For the New Jersey Transit (formerly Erie Railroad) Main Line, see Main Line (NJ Transit).
History
The Main Line was settled in the 1600's, when William Penn sold land to a group of Welsh Quakers for ten cents an acre. The Main Line Railroad was constructed during the nineteenth century, and traveled through the area from Philadelphia to Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. The railroad is still in service. At the time, the Railroad owned much of the land surrounding the tracks, and encouraged the development of this picturesque environment. The construction of sprawling estates attracted Philadelphia elite, many of whom had one house in the city, and another larger "country home" on the Main Line.
The Main Line was once home to the Lenni Lenape Indians.
The Main Line Today
Today the Main Line is another name for the western suburbs of Philadelphia along Lancaster Avenue (U.S. Route 30) and the former Pennsylvania Railroad mail line, extending from the city limits to approximately Malvern, Pennsylvania comprising an area of approximately 200 square miles. The upper/upper middle class enclave outside of Philadelphia was the setting for the classic Hepburn/Grant/Stewart film "The Philadelphia Story", and smacks of Boodles Martinis and freshly pressed schoolboy blazers. The principal townships are Lower Merion Township, Haverford Township, Radnor Township, Tredyffrin Township, and Easttown Township. With diverse topography, steep cliffs along the Schuylkill River, rolling hills, and open meadows, the Main Line has benefited from the early planning of William Penn. The Main Line is known for its multimillion-dollar Stone Colonial homes, exclusivity, and upscale shopping. The Main Line is also home to some of the best public and private schools in the state.
Current residents of the Main Line include Will Smith, Allen Iverson, Chubby Checker, Bam Margera, Jada Pinkett Smith, M. Night Shyamalan, Paul Hopper, Kobe Bryant, Pat Croce, Chris Webber and Patti LaBelle
Main Line in Books, Movies, and Television
- [The Official Preppy Handbook], by Lisa Birnbach
- The Philadelphia Story
- Bobos in Paradise, by David Brooks
- Trading Places
- The Jap Handbook
- Stealing Home
- Philadelphia
- My Super Sweet 16
- The It Girl, by Ceicily von Zeigezar
Communities on the Main Line
- Ardmore
- Bala Cynwyd
- Bryn Mawr
- Berwyn
- Chesterbrook
- Daylesford
- Devon
- Garrett Hill
- Gladwyne
- Haverford
- Malvern
- Merion
- Narberth
- Overbrook
- Paoli
- Radnor
- Rosemont
- St. Davids
- Strafford
- Villanova
- Wayne
- Wynnewood
Colleges and universities
- Bryn Mawr College
- Cabrini College
- Eastern University
- Harcum College
- Haverford College
- Immaculata University
- Rosemont College
- St. Joseph's University
- Villanova University
External links
- [Main Line Today]
- [Main Line Health]
- [Main Line Times]
- [Best of Main Line]
- [Main Line Rescue]
- [Historical Main Line Maps]
- [Maps of the Pennsylvania Railroad]
- [Main Line Restaurant Guide]
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