Local History Notes: Landmarks of Tredyffrin Development (2)
America celebrated victory in WWII on September 2, 1945 when Japanese emissaries signed surrender papers on the deck of the Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay. From all over the world, the loyal sons and daughters of Tredyffrin made the long trek home to the Great Valley. The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, known as the "G.I.Bill of Rights", provided college tuition benefits and guaranteed home loans for millions of veterans of the war. They set about obtaining college degrees, getting married and starting careers.

In 1950, the Philadelphia Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike cut a six-mile swath through Tredyffrin and buried 150 acres of prime valley land. Moreover, the right-of-way was on the side of North Valley hill, and some areas to the north were left landlocked and unusable. Valley Forge Park became completely separated from adjoining areas of Tredyffrin.

The turnpike was a precursor of things to come. Almost immediately the need arose to align roadways with the turnpike interchange at Valley Forge. The most notable project was the Schuylkill Expressway which opened in 1954 connecting Central Philadelphia with the turnpike at King of Prussia. The US Interstate Highway Act signed in 1956 would soon lead to 'improvements' to Route 202. The automobile and the highway took control of Tredyffrin's economic future and the size of its population.

The combination of plentiful open land, pent up demand for new housing, and, importantly, easy credit facilitated by United States government guarantee for home loans for veterans pushed the suburbs further from the city. Some early real estate developments here were: Daylesford Village, 1952, Country Club Estates, 1952, Deepdale, 1953, Valley Forge Estates, 1955, Brookmead Farms, 1956, and Glenhardie, 1956.

Financing purchase of a new home was a relatively painless process, thanks to government entitlements. Mortgage money was available with a 10% down payment and a 25-year pay off. Veterans were required to earn a minimum of $4000 a year, plus $200 extra for each child. (The earnings of the wife were not counted). An extra bonus, a "gratuity" of 4% of that part of the loan guaranteed by the VA was applied to reduce the principal.


Tredyffrin’s incipient transportation amenities began to attract industry, too. In 1954, Burroughs Corporation occupied a newly constructed 105,000 square-foot Research Center in Paoli, employing close to 400 people. The General Electric Company Space Division headquarters located in nearby Upper Merion. The original cadre of 300 people were moved here from Schenectady, NY, in 1955 blossomed to 2200 a year later.

By 1960, the US Census tabulated 16,000 Tredyffrin residents, a 104% growth over 10 years earlier.




 
Back to Articles