Here's one of many original deeds in the WHS Museum of early land transactions in Wenonah. This deed is for a lot sold by George W. Bailey to The Mantua Land and Improvement Company in 1886. The lot, which is at the northwest corner of Mantua Ave and Lincoln Ave, was sold for $300. (Note that Lincoln Ave was once known as Hamilton Ave.)
Click on the links below to look at the rest of the deed.
A Brief History of the Borough of Wenonah
In December 1870, a railroad station, which was much too elegant to transport produce form the local farmers, was about all that stood in the beginning of the town that we now know as Wenonah. There were farms, mainly growing sweet potatoes, but they had been there long before the train station.
Be sure to scroll down to read Mayor Dale T. Taylor's message concerning the trials of government in the 1990's.
Rail history students might not agree that passenger rail service in Wenonah ended in 1949. Kingsley and Kirby Lentz have told about going to meet their father returning from his job by train well into the 1960s.
100th Anniversary Wenonah Train Station Built in 1893, it was described in the newspapers as Wenonah's new handsome station. It replaced the small "Mantua Station at Wenonah" built in 1870. After closing of passenger service in 1949, it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. Through the efforts of the Railroad Station Restoration Committee and many involved citizens, it was restored and is now Wenonah's handsome community center—a tribute to its hundredth birthday.
ANNUAL MAYOR'S MESSAGE
A contribution from one of our newest members, Jenn Pizi. This is the first page of a brochure that was used to sell the Comey Estate when Robert H. Comey sold his home in 1924.
Larry Smith wrote: Here's a page from the booklet for the 2019 Community Picnic and History Scavanger Hunt that has a few interesting facts about the Comey house.
Shingles advertisement shared by Judylee-John Peters
This photo is a gift from Christine Flowers.
John Dominy reports that he recalls that the warehouse on the far side of Mantua Ave burned down about 1984.
Rocco Doto moved to Wenonah and began to take an interest in the history of the town. Read the attached Philadelphia Inquirer article to see how he acted on his new interest.
Postcard donated by Christine Flowers, circa 1910 according to the date on the back of the photo.
This photograph is a gift from Christine Flowers to the Wenonah Historical Society. The commuter train appears to be electrically powered. Utility poles are running both sides of the tracks currently they only run on the eastern side.
When searching the internet for sites containing the phrase "Wenonah Cement Products Company" only one citation appeared. Apparently "Wenonah Cement Products Company" became "Wenonah Sand and Gravel" and then the "Marvin Jonas Transfer Station," which became a polluted "superfund" site.
See pages 81-192 in the attached document.
Photo compliments of Wenonah Historical Society.
Photo compliments of Wenonah Historical Society.
Milton H. Webb contributed a huge amount of material to the Wenonah Historical Society.
This poster is in the collection of the Wenonah Historical Society.
