NOTE: A special thanks to Upper Darby historian, Barb Marinelli for her help with this story. In Delco 100 years ago the county was growing fast with new developments popping up everywhere. The eastern end of the county especially so. Stonehurst was just one example.
CHESTER TIMES – August 2, 1922
STONEHURST IN DELAWARE COUNTY
One of the Many Beauty Spots of Upper Darby Described
For the information of those who have never experienced the pleasure of a visit to Stonehurst it might be well to mention that this community nestles just across the pike from the 69th Street Terminal Station in Upper Darby Township.
The Philadelphia newspapers persistently strive to steal Stonehurst from Delaware County and locate it in West Philadelphia. The residents of Stonehurst themselves are in no wise sympathetic with this journalist attempt. They are too proud of Stonehurst to wish it within the boundaries of Philadelphia, though many of them commute into the city in which they have important business connections.
Probably the reason Stonehurst is so pretty from a residential viewpoint is because its name was conceived by a woman. A committee from the Stonehurst Improvement Association labored tremendously for six long months to discover a rightful and proper name. Finally, in utter despair, this committee accepted a suggestion from a feminine resident that Stonehurst would do. But the men folk adamantly refuse to admit Stonehurst is just fitting. However, the women are perfectly satisfied – and Stonehurst it remains and forever will, probably, so long as woman’s will prevails – and it does at Stonehurst.
And the name Stonehurst seems, after a visual perspective, eminently proper. As stated above, Stonehurst is a pretty community. It certainly is and more. But as stone predominates in the architectural design of the commodious and prettily situated homes of its residents, the conception of Stonehurst is by no means far-fetched. It fits in rather appropriately and without extreme stretching of imagination.
But there is much more at Stonehurst than a name and a setting of homes. There is perceptible a strong civic spirit and community pride, energetically pictured by the membership in the Stonehurst Improvement Association. This organization is almost as old as the community itself. It was organized some four years ago, with Charles Gillingham as its first president, who was succeeded by Norman Hayes, both well-known Philadelphia business men. W. H. Metcalf, Republican nominee for the assembly, is now presiding over its destinies; Preston V. Lee, is vice-president; A. T. Brown, treasurer, and Russell H. Bleakley, secretary.
The chairmanships of its functioning committees include: Charles R. Dinam, improvement; Preston V. Lee, executive; H. C. McIlvaine, membership; Percy C. D. Ralston, publicity; g. T. Kilner, tennis; Gartley G. Wright, entertainment.
The objects of the Stonehurst Improvement Association are entirely civic in scope and character. Politics are sternly frowned down. Only property owners are eligible to membership. Even the most rabid nonconformists admit this organization wields a wonderful influence for community uplift. Before its inception there were no street lighting nor garbage system at Stonehurst. There are efficient ones now. It has secured carrier mail delivery and then went after the installation of mail boxes, and these boxes are coming by fast freight from Washington. The streets were at one time improperly cleaned up. Now they remind one of those in Spotless Town. The policing department became somewhat loose. It isn’t now.
It opposed Mitten’s Amusement Park golden egg scheme. This amusement park hasn’t arrived as yet. And most wonderful of all – almost unbelievable – there is no kicking at Stonehurst over the tax rate. Every property holder appears to harbor the idea the tax rate is quite equitable.
What more could the Stonehurst Improvement Association be expected to accomplish; but it is maintaining its hewing practice, and when it hews; the strokes of the axe are aimed against those things which creep into communities that should not creep.
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