Plant Health Care in Penn Valley PA

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Penn Valley, comprising zip codes 19072 and 19041, is a suburban community within Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, located just 8 miles northwest of Philadelphia. This residential enclave, covering less than three square miles, is nestled between several notable roads and stretches from the Schuylkill River along Mill Creek Road to Old Gulph Road and Gypsy Lane, among others, has rolling hills, Cape Cod and French-inspired Colonial Revival homes, and convenient proximity to the bustling city life of Philadelphia.

The history of Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, is marked by its shift from a rural area to a modern suburban community. Initially, the area that would become Penn Valley comprised three localities known as “Fairview,” “Crow’s Hill,” and “Bowler’s Woods.” The area was officially named Penn Valley in 1930 when local residents formed a civic association and selected the name.

A significant part of Penn Valley’s early history revolves around agriculture. The area was a farming community until the 1950s, with several farms contributing to its landscape and economy. Percival Roberts Jr. started acquiring farmland in what is now Penn Valley and Gladwyne in 1890. By 1898, he had accumulated 539 acres, and the estate had a 75-room house, which was the centerpiece of a huge working farm. This farm maintained a herd of Ayrshire cattle, with veterinarians on staff to ensure their care, and numerous farm workers. However, the mansion was demolished in 1939, and after Roberts’ death in 1944, the land was left to the Roxborough Hospital and the Children’s Seashore Home, and later sold to the Home Life Insurance Company. In the 1950s and 60s, much of this land was developed for other purposes, such as building the Welsh Valley School

During the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin, who was the United States Postmaster General, insisted on having stone milestone markers to keep postal riders on schedule. Milestones 9 through 13, known as the William Penn Milestones, were erected around 1793 by the Mutual Assurance Fire Company of Philadelphia as part of their charter agreement with the Penn family. These milestones have a unique design, with a mile number on the front and Admiral Sir William Penn’s coat of arms on the back.

Mill Creek played a significant role in the region’s economy from the late 17th to the early 20th century. The mills along Mill Creek supplied grain, paper, gunpowder, lumber, and various other products. The paper was used for America’s earliest documents and currency. However, by the 1850s, some mills that produced paper, grist, and sawmills became uneconomical due to advancing technologies. These were either closed or converted to textile mills. The flood of 1893 caused the final destruction of most of the mills, with one exception being Barker Woolen Mill. By the second decade of the 20th century, the Mill Creek Valley began transitioning from an active mill community to a more suburban residential area. Today, Penn Valley is characterized by its residential nature, though with a strong sense of historical preservation and community.

Penn Valley has been home to several accomplished individuals including American journalist an editor-in-chief of the Saturday Evening Post Ben Hibbs, Joe Banner, former president of the Philadelphia Eagles, American psychologist Judith Beck and film director M. Night Shyamalan.