Lansdale Borough as seen through the eyes of its residents was not always the town that it is today. In the early colonial days, this area that we now call Lansdale was covered with vast forests and its primary residents were Lenni Lenape Indians. It wasn't until the 1850's when the North Pennsylvania Railroad was established, that Lansdale began to grow into a prosperous community.
Like any small village in the early days, the railroad brought much needed work into the area, therefore creating the need for housing, businesses and even hotels. In 1860, with the influx of people moving into the area, the federal government felt the need to make this once small village a post office village.
As the village continued to grow at a rapid pace, its founding fathers decided that this village should be incorporated. After petitioning the courts, this application was granted August 24, 1872. Getting its name from railroad engineer Philip Lansdale Fox, this small village comprised of 269 acres became Lansdale Borough.
Style and Design [‡]
When discussing the ÒcharacterÓ of a community, one often looks for the dominant formal architectural style, be it Victorian, Greek Revival, Gothic, or any other of the multitude of styles. Like many other boroughs, LansdaleÕs architectural style is instead reflective of local tradition, ethnicity, economics, and available materials. This type of architecture is characteristic of the local way of life, classified as vernacular architecture. Common to all vernacular architecture, regardless of community or region, is that its design and construction are often done on the same site by the same people.
While the vernacular style dominates in the borough. There are many examples of formal architectural styles. The borough possesses buildings of the Classical Revival, Art Deco, Second Empire, Colonial Revival, Late Gothic Revival, Mission/Spanish, Queen Anne, Federal, and Classic Revival, among others. Understanding that the borough is primarily developed, it is anticipated that new development will occur as infill development. With this in mind, it is of particular importance that new development reflect characteristics of existing borough structures. This is important so as to maintain and enhance the existing character.
†Source: Borough of Lansdale
‡ Borough of Lansdale Comprehensive Plan, 2006, pa-lansdaleborough.civicplus.com. accessed June, 2021.
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