Downing's Town: A Brief History of Downingtown

I grew up in a decent size town in Chester County known as Downingtown. While many people do not know much of Downingtown, its history is anything but short. Even though many people are unaware of the great past of Downingtown, this small town has a very lengthy history which includes some of the biggest names and triumphs known to Pennsylvania.

Downingtown was originally known as Milltown until it became Downing's Town, later changed to Downingtown. Downingtown progressed through the French and Indian War, the creation of mills, building of bridges, whiskey rebellion, turnpike, and so much more. Between events just listed as well as the industrial revolution, immigration, and both pre and post war issues, Downingtown definitely has an extensive history (Davidson).

In 1681, William Penn acquired land in the new world from King Charles. This land was named after his father, being called Pennsylvania. Many people began buying land in the New World before even setting foot on it. Because of the long journey to the New World, Downingtown was not technically founded until 1706 (Downingtown Historical Society). However, the first building appeared in 1700; that building is now known as the Downingtown Log Cabin, which is still standing (Downingtown Log Cabin).

Downingtown was originally known as Milltown, due to the presence of several mills in the vicinity. Milltown was then renamed Downing's Town, after Thomas Downing. Over the years, Downing's Town became Downingtown, obviously still named after Mr. Downing (Mowday).

Perhaps one of the greatest trials Downingtown faced was the French and Indian War. Pennsylvania itself was not affected by the war upon France until 1750s, when the war raged across western region. The Ship Inn, on the outskirts of Downingtown, became a rendezvous point for Chester County, and Colonel Bouquet traveled east to meet with various people there (Davidson).

During the eighteenth century, the economy was booming, due to the various mills operating throughout the town. Such a successful economy brought travelers to the Downing Mill Inn which was often inaccessible, due to the high water levels of the Brandywine Creek. This problem led to the building of the Brandywine Bridge in 1774 (Davidson).

The end of the eighteenth century and on into the nineteenth century also brought the expansion of the town, which included more houses, another tavern, the establishment of more inns, the town's first house of worship, and the town's first school. With the expansion of the town, transportation also boomed (Mowday).

In 1792, Governor Mifflin authorized the creation of the first turnpike in the nation-the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike. Construction began almost immediately and by 1794 the project was almost completed. The turnpike spanned sixty-three miles from the Philadelphia courthouse to Lancaster. Originally, there were nine toll booths, from which area farmers and those traveling to or from worship services were excused from (Davidson). The fee list was as follows: Every sulky, chair, or chaise with one horse and two wheels: 1/8 dollar; Every chariot, coach, stage wagon, phaeton, or chaise with two horses and four wheels: ¼ dollar; Either of the previous carriages with four horses: 3/8 dollar; Every score of sheep: 1/8 dollar; Every score of hogs: 1/8 dollar; Every score of cattle: ¼ dollar; Every cart or wagon whose wheels do not exceed the breath of four inches: 1/8 dollar; Every cart or wagon whose wheels shall exceed in breadth four inches and not exceed seven inches: 1/16 per horse (Chester County Historical Society). The tolls, however, have changed over the years. In 1950 they were as follows: Every horse or mule, laden or unladen with his rider or leader...three cents; every sulky, chair or chaise with one horse and two heels...six cents; And with two horses...nine cents; Every chair coach, phaeton chaise, stage, wagon, coach, or light wagon with two horses and four wheels...twelve and a half cents; And with four horses...twenty cents; For every sleigh or sled...two cents (Paul).

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, money allocated for the improvement of townships was used to build a new bridge, which would be part of Horseshoe Road. With the increased traffic on the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike, the new bridge produced the need for another turnpike route spanning from the northwest into central Chester County. This route was chartered in 1803 and named "The Downingtown, Ephrata, and Lancaster Turnpike Road," which was referred to as Horseshoe Pike, which is now Route 322 (Davidson).

Many changes were upon Downingtown in the nineteenth century. In the 1830s, education was causing much discussion. A privileged few attended private schools, and those who attended public schools were stuck in the middle of a debate over values and detriments of the public school system. It was at this time that both school and home construction flourished, due to the subdivision of Downingtown's land. The expansion increased job opportunities, which allowed Irish and freed African Americans to immigrate. This also led to improvements in transportation. Instead of just having one stage line running between Downingtown and Philadelphia, there were now five separate stage companies running different routes (Davidson).

In April of 1861, after much debate over slavery, the Civil War finally erupted in Downingtown. It was on the nineteenth day of April that young men from Downingtown headed over to West Chester to enlist in Company F of the Ninth Regiment of the Pennsylvania Infantry. After receiving their training at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg, the men were shipped back to West Chester to be stationed at Camp Wayne, which is the present site of West Chester University. In June, the Ninth Regiment was transferred to General Patterson's Army, before being honorably discharged in July. Surprisingly, after the Ninth Regiment men were discharged, many of them re-enlisted in the Ninety-seventh Regiment, particularly Company A and H. Company H became known as the Greble Guards, in honor of a brave officer who was killed at the Battle of Big Bethel (Davidson). The hardest hit for Downingtown though was the Battle of Antietam, where many of the sons of Downingtown fell. Overall, more the eighty men from Downingtown took part in the Civil War (Pennypacker).

During the remainder of the nineteenth century, Downingtown experienced a rather large growth spurt, with its population increasing more than one thousand people. Downingtown's various job opportunities on the railroads and various other industries was a big selling point on getting people to move there. The increase in population led not only to the subdivision of land and building of more homes, but also to the expansion of the business district and increasing of municipal services (Davidson).

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the main concern of Downingtown was the health and safety of the residents. After an outbreak of smallpox and several reportings of sewage draining into the streets, the board of health was forced to step up and take action. Downingtown also employed a special officer to maintain order at Center Square, with the salary of one dollar per night (Davidson).

It was around this time that a new mode of transportation also arose: the trolley. This new mode of transportation was particularly fascinating to the younger crowd, who would organize impromptu trolley parties (Mowday).

Recreation in the twentieth century was also fairly different than it is today. Since driving was (and still is) an expensive pastime, very few people actually enjoyed this pleasure. Instead, the main activities included ice skating in the winter and tennis in the summer. "Uptowners" were even lucky enough to have a hall complete with a restaurant, pool tables, and bowling alleys. The hall later started showing one-reel comedy pictures as well, until full picture shows were shown. The hall was also used for stage plays and high school graduations. Because the hall was becoming so crowded, Downingtown Opera House was built for theatrical performance. During the construction of the Downingtown Opera House, Downingtown Driving Park was established. This one-half mile racetrack for horses attracted men from all over. After the races, baseball games would follow, which were played by members of the Downingtown Athletic Association (Davidson).

The Industrial Revolution greatly influenced business growth during this period as well. Neighborhood grocery stores, ready-to-wear stores, piece-goods stores, and car dealerships were doing fairly well at this time, despite the depression (Downingtown Historical Society). During the depression, blue jeans sold for only $1.98, and still businesses managed to stay afloat (Davidson).

As Jane Davidson describes in her book on Downingtown, "the economic boom of the 1920s led to the eventual stock market crash...for the next decade, unemployment soared and people went hungry. Downingtown was no exception."

The total number of projects to keep Downingtown afloat approved by the federal government was shocking in proportion to the population. In two years, no less than twelve projects were carried out in the town's park, schools, and streets.

Although the factories throughout town never shut down completely during the depression, they were usually closed several days a week. Some families suffered greatly by having no income at all, forcing them to live from their garden (Davidson).

Just when things were starting to look brighter, on October 16, 1940, all men between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-five were required to register at the polls for the peacetime draft. A total of 750 men registered that day, and in July of the next year 170 more men were to sign up as they became of age. These brave men of Downingtown served their country in all branches of the military and fortunately most of them came home, but of course there were some that were not so lucky (Davidson).

The post-war period brought much change for Downingtown. The residents of this town, as well as every other town across the country, were making the transition from war to peace. The soldiers who returned adjusted fairly well with the help of the VFW and their families. Their return also instigated a building boom, which also affected business and industry (Davidson).

Perhaps one of the most exciting events to take place in Downingtown was in 1957, when Valley Forge Films chose the Downingtown Diner as a site for shooting part of the movie "The Blob" (which my Grandmother was actually in). This is just one example of many throughout this town's history that shows their joy and patriotism, regardless of their size, ethnicity, and economic status (Davidson).

In the 1960s, both education and building/construction was booming. Perhaps this is how so many schools were built or at least planned at this time, including Beaver Creek Elementary School and Downingtown Senior High School (both of which I attended). Saint Joseph's Parochial School along with three new churches also were built during this time as well (Downingtown Historical Society).

By the late 1970s, there was little vacant land left for building. This caused problems because people were still flocking to the town which meant more homes would be needed, along with more shops. As always, the borough council somehow seemed to get everything worked out because more homes were built and new family-owned businesses were founded (Mowday).

In 1980, Downingtown was recognized in becoming part of Chester County Day (as was it in 2005). Almost 2000 visitors walked through the great history of Downingtown in various buildings throughout the borough, such as the Downingtown Log House, Downingtown National Bank, and the Downingtown Friends Meeting House (Davidson).

As you can see, Downingtown has had many trials, tribulations, and triumphs over the years. This town has exercised so much leadership and patriotism over the years that the whole town should be painted red, white, and blue. While Downingtown is not that different from any other American town, it can sure stand out in the history books, if only people look hard enough. Between the French and Indian War, the industrial revolution, immigration, and both pre and post war issues, you can now understand that Downingtown's history is anything but short.

Bibliography

1. Downingtown. Downingtown Friends Meeting, circa 1806; 700 block of East Lancaster Avenue.

2. Downingtown. Downingtown Historical Society.

3. Downingtown. Downingtown Log Cabin, circa 1700; 15 East Lancaster Avenue.

4. West Chester. Chester County Court House. 2 North High Street.

5. West Chester. Chester County Historical Society. 225 North High Street.

1. Davidson, Jane. History of Downingtown. Bryn Mawr: Dorrance & Company, 1982.

2. Mowday, Bruce. Downingtown. Arcadia, 2004.

3. Paul, Barbara. A History of East Brandywine Township. East Brandywine Historical Commission, 1992.

4. Pennypacker, Charles H. History of Downingtown. Downingtown Publishing Company, 1909.