RSS
Same Five Points, less traffic
We all know how challenging it can be to drive through portions of Montgomery Township — especially the area around the Five Points Intersection.
But believe it or not, there was a time when there were few homes in Montgomery Township, no mall and the roads were basically empty.
The Lansdale Historical Society will transport you back to that time, and then bring you up to present day, in its May 11 program, “The Changing Face of Montgomery Township.”
The show will trace the many changes that have taken place in the 296-year-old municipality, from its sparsely settled beginnings to its present status as the region’s commercial center.
It will feature stories about Montgomery Township’s growth during the colonial period, when it served as a main transportation route between Philadelphia and points north.
But during the mid-1800s, development ebbed and population declined when a faster mode of transportation — the railroad — passed by the township to the north and west.
A century later, the popularity of the automobile took its toll on the trains and Montgomery Township, by then the crossroads of Routes 309 and 202, erupted in a wave on new homes, stores and industries.
This photo shows Route 309 north during the 1930s. Stoudt’s store, on the right, was a long-time landmark on the corner with Doylestown Road (Route 202).
At the far left is Horsham Road heading west toward Hatfield. Notice the speed limit sign near the store — 20 mph. This was a time when Five Points was a quiet little intersection.
Richard Roller of the Montgomery Township Historical Society will narrate the program with the assistance of Kathy Sands.
The show will also include an extensive video presentation by Steve Moyer, featuring many vintage “past and present” photographs that document the township’s dramatic changes during the 20th century.
The program begins at 7:30 p.m. May 11 at the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Building, Seventh Street and Lansdale Avenue. There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated.
For more information, call (215) 855-1872.
But believe it or not, there was a time when there were few homes in Montgomery Township, no mall and the roads were basically empty.
The Lansdale Historical Society will transport you back to that time, and then bring you up to present day, in its May 11 program, “The Changing Face of Montgomery Township.”
The show will trace the many changes that have taken place in the 296-year-old municipality, from its sparsely settled beginnings to its present status as the region’s commercial center.
It will feature stories about Montgomery Township’s growth during the colonial period, when it served as a main transportation route between Philadelphia and points north.
But during the mid-1800s, development ebbed and population declined when a faster mode of transportation — the railroad — passed by the township to the north and west.
A century later, the popularity of the automobile took its toll on the trains and Montgomery Township, by then the crossroads of Routes 309 and 202, erupted in a wave on new homes, stores and industries.
This photo shows Route 309 north during the 1930s. Stoudt’s store, on the right, was a long-time landmark on the corner with Doylestown Road (Route 202).
At the far left is Horsham Road heading west toward Hatfield. Notice the speed limit sign near the store — 20 mph. This was a time when Five Points was a quiet little intersection.
Richard Roller of the Montgomery Township Historical Society will narrate the program with the assistance of Kathy Sands.
The show will also include an extensive video presentation by Steve Moyer, featuring many vintage “past and present” photographs that document the township’s dramatic changes during the 20th century.
The program begins at 7:30 p.m. May 11 at the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Building, Seventh Street and Lansdale Avenue. There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated.
For more information, call (215) 855-1872.
posted by Online Editor at
10:36 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home