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Paoli Stations |
The Initial Period of the Paoli InnThe first licensee of the Paoli Inn was Joshua Evans in 1769. The house covered a space of 42 x 30 feet and faced the road leading from Yellow Springs to Newtown Square [1]. [It is unclear why the Inn was built at this locality, but water supply may have been a contributing factor. - MB] There were 2 early roads that went through towards Yellow Springs. Most likely was Church Road which had a southern terminus near Paoli, the other was Yellow Springs Road west which started at the Great Valley Mill. Both were laid out in 1724. and known as the Darby Road [1]. this was laid out running south from Paoli in 1729. This road crossed the old Lancaster road at an angle at this point. The house stood some distance north of the old Lancaster road, now supplanted by the turnpike. The course of the road can still be traced through the hollow where the pumping station stands, thence westwards up the hill by a row of cedars just back of the Church of the Good Samaritan [1]. A possible route of the Conestoga Road has been drawn on the 1887 map below. This route is supported by Phoebe Prime in her article on the History of the Good Samaritan church [2].
Possible route of the Old Lancaster Road ‘Around the time of The Revolutionary War an addition was made to the house. This addition
is still discernible in the rear of the large house; it was built of limestone or blue marble from the Valley, the joints were pointed; it was about 27 x 30 feet and the house still fronted on the Valley Road, the gable end being towards the provincial road.
Philadelphia and Lancaster TurnpikeIt was not until after the completion of the turnpike in 1794 that the era of great prosperity of the Paoli Inn commenced. The turnpike was located so as to run directly in front of the tavern, and as the old road was vacated for a considerable distance in both directions it naturally bought all the traffic upon the new highway directly to the house. As the traffic continued to increase the inn again soon became too small, and during the latter part of the first decade of the last century the large addition, 81 x 38 feet, facing the turnpike was built. It was completed in 1812 [1].
1812 Addition (photo by Julius Sachse, 1888) 2/28/1834 When the first train of cars passed Paoli on Wednesday, the last day of February, 1834, the railroad was a part of the Columbia Railroad system that connected Columbia with Philadelphia [3]. “The (rail)road was finally located on the south side of the valley ridge, so as to pass just north of the Paoli Tavern. Mr. Springer [a retired railroad worker] relates … “Well I remember the time when the trains used to stop at the old John Evans Hotel, where five minutes were given for lunch. The train crew and passengers would alight and go into the lunch room where they would refresh themselves. Wood and coal would also be taken on for the use of the engine.” [3] A similar anecdote is given by Julius Sachse in his book [1]. 1877 - “Soon after (July 22, 1877) the roadbed of the railway [through Paoli] was changed further to the north, where it now is. This cut the old inn, as well as the barroom and eating station, off from the road.
August 6, 1877
RAILROAD MATTERS. – At Paoli yesterday, connection was made by the new and straightened portion of the main road, so that the line of that iron thoroughfare now takes its way within a little distance of the old station. Quite a large force of workmen were employed in making the change. October 16, 1877
… “Mine host” John D. Evans, at the Paoli, will not or cannot agree with the company as to the worth of his land, and it looks now as if that station may be wiped out altogether and a station made near the old Black Bear property on Hugh J. Steen’s land and the “Y” removed to the Green Tree. The company tire of so much local hostility, and the fate of Parkesburg when the [railroad] shops were driven away from there may be that of the Paoli.
August 5, 1878
NOT GRANTED. – Messrs. Charles Downing, Wm. Kirk, and Enos McCaughey, of Downingtown, appointed at the last Court, to review a road crossing the Pennsylvania Railroad, in Tredyffrin township, met on Saturday last, and after a hearing, refused to grant the request of the petitioners. The road was asked for by the Pennsylvania Railroad, to save them from building two bridges over their road; the new one would run between the two old roads, and be placed under the railroad instead of over it. January 21, 1879
A Dog with a History. – ‘The Wild Dog of Paoli’ was killed at Paoli by a freight train on Monday. For the last twelve years the dog bearing this title has been roaming around, claiming no owner, and living chiefly on the dead cattle that were unloaded at Paoli. The dog had a singular appearance, resembling a fox … May 30, 1879
COMPLETED. – The handsome brick roundhouse erected by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Paoli, is just completed and makes a fine appearance. 1880 – The Pennsylvania Railroad acquired by condemnation proceedings the land on which their four-track road runs through Paoli, in October 1880, from John D. Evans [7]. April 28, 1880 – PRR track activities through Paoli based upon a Petition for Compensation to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas, (April 28, 1880). August 16, 1880
The patrons of Paoli station think it is about time that the P.R.R. Co. built for them a new station at that place. Mr. Sachse, of the Leopard, is taking the initiative. He uses the station in winter principally – for the reason that the road is better than that to Berwyn. He is not, however, wedded to Paoli from the fact that he is one of the signers to the petition to manager Frank Thomson for a new freight and passenger station of Berwyn. Mr. Sachse is a gentleman who is always at the front when improvements for the benefit of the public are required. His amiable wife seconds him in his good work. September 10, 1880
Railroad Damage Jury. – Isaac W. Steininger, David J. Lincoln, Ezra High, Amos Faber, and Wilson Sweitger, of Berks county, a jury appointed by Sherriff McFarlan to assess the damages done to the property of John D. Evans, at Paoli, caused by the straightening of the Pennsylvania Railroad at that place, met on Thursday at Evans’ Hotel, Paoli, for the purpose of their appointment. The company was represented by P. Frazer Smith, Esq. and Mr. Evans by John H. Brinton, Esq. After examining the grounds, etc., the jury adjourned to meet in West Chester on Friday the 17th inst., to take testimony, etc. November 20, 1880 – Final confirmation by jurors to judge concerning damages due from the PRR to John D. Evans:
“We the jurors, in estimating and determining the damages done to John D. Evans, … had a due regard to, and made a just allowance for, the advantages which had resulted or seemed likely to result to the said John D. Evans, in consequence of the making and opening of the New Track of Rail Road by the said Pennsylvania Rail Road Company … and did make a fair and just comparison of the said advantages and the disadvantages.” Submitted to the Court this 20th day of November, A.D. 1880. July 29, 1881
Paoli Heights Land Company. – Daniel D. Hedley, William Smedley and John Kennedy, Jr., who recently purchased the John D. Evans farm, at Paoli, are now organizing a stock company with a capital of $150,000. There are, we understand, to be 600 shares at $250 each. A limited number of these shares will be sold at $125 per share to those who wish to enter into this speculation. One-half of the latter have already been taken. The name of the company is the ‘Paoli Heights Land Company’. October 3, 1881
Proposed Improvement – The Eavenson property, near Paoli, will next spring undergo a radical change in its appearance. After the sale of the Paoli farm and hotel, by John D. Evans, the latter purchased the Eavenson property, and as soon as he becomes possessor of it, tear down the additions that were built to the old mansion after his uncle Randall Evans had parted with. The old portion will be overhauled and remodeled throughout, and when completed Mr. Evans will have an elegant house. 12/21 and 22/1881 - John D. Evans sold a tract of 329 acres in Paoli [6], the remaining portion of the original Evans tract, ending the Evans era of over 150 years in Paoli. This tract included the old Paoli Inn. The tract was then transferred to a party of gentlemen from Philadelphia, operating as the “Paoli Heights Land Company,” by whom the tract was laid out into building lots and advertised for sale. December 24, 1881
Deeds Put on Record – Eighteen deeds were received Friday at the Recorder’s Office for Messrs. Rupert and Phillips, conveyancers, this borough, to be placed on record. They were for the transfer of the John D. Evans property, at Paoli, to the Paoli Heights Improvement Company. These deeds covered a period from 1682 to 1881 – nearly 200 years. The first one was signed by William Penn. “the grade of the Valley road raised so as to cross the tracks by a bridge and thus obviate the former dangerous grade crossing” [1].’ 1882 - “This seems to confirm my statement to you that the Penna. RR build the present [Valley Road] bridge over their tracks not earlier than 1882.” [7] March 17, 1882
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company have removed an old station house at Parkesburg, and are re-erecting it at Paoli. April 14, 1882
Improving the Paoli Heights. – Mr. Headley, one of the principal members of the Paoli Heights Improvement Company, is now having the foundation dug for his new residence at that place, which will be, it is stated, a very handsome affair. A well has also been dug on the property. Carpenters and masons are also at work tearing down the porches of the old Evans mansion and hotel property and are remodeling the building. Alban Hall, of Malvern, has the contract for the work and is employing a large force of workmen and still wants more. July 12, 1882
New Station at Paoli: The Paoli Heights Improvement Company have given the Pennsylvania Railroad Company a tract of land, on the east side of the bridge at Paoli, in consideration of which the railroad company is to build a station that will cost no less than $4,000. Work on this building will commence soon. July 25, 1882 - the PRR purchased ~4 acres of land between the railroad and the turnpike from the Paoli Heights Land Company where the new station was built [8]. 1883 - A new station was built [DURING 1883 AND OPENED JANUARY 1884] see below [i.e. TOWARD PHILADELPHIA] the signal tower [WHICH NOW DATES THAT VICTORIAN SIGNAL TOWER AS PRE-1883] [1]. June 23, 1883 - The contract for building a new station at Paoli has been awarded to W.H. Burns, of Berwyn, the design for which is said to be neat. June 27, 1883 Bridge built before this date [9]. August 10, 1883
Improvements. – Wm. H. Burns, who has the contract for building the new station at Paoli, has it nearly completed, and is now grading for the laying of another track to the station. August 27, 1883
The Paoli Heights land improvement company, composed of Philadelphia capitalists, are building a number of Queen Anne cottages at Paoli station on the P.R.R. in Tredyffrin township. The Pennsylvania railroad company are also building a neat station house at a short distance east of the bridge at the present station. 1883 – New passenger stations were built at Devon and Paoli ... and both in operation in January 1884 [10]. January 23, 1884
New Station Occupied. – The new station recently built by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Paoli, was occupied by the Company on Monday morning last. The new building has been erected east of the bridge at that place and also east of the old station. February 19, 1885 Paoli Inn tract sold to Samuel Shipley after passing quickly through a number of hands. There is no mention of the Inn in the deed, presumably this is because it had been converted into a boarding house [11]. March 20, 1885
Fuller Particulars of the Paoli Accident of Thursday Morning: A Detailed Account of the Way in Which It Occurred-Thrilling Accidents-How Henry Lutz Lost His Life and His Companions Escaped. – The Philadelphia Press gives the following detailed account of the railroad accident near Paoli on Thursday morning: A freight train drawn by engine 895 had stopped on the middle track, about three quarters of a mile above Paoli to wait for No. 10 express from the city, and as soon as it went by, began to back upon the Green Tree siding, which is at this point … February 5, 1891
The pretty supervisor’s office at Paoli station was burned to the ground last night, estimating a loss of books, supplies, etc. of about $2000. The building was occupied by Joseph Baker, Jr., who resides at Downingtown, but who is Supervisor of the eastern division of the P.R.R. March 12, 1896
The New Tower in Paoli – The new tower erected at the Paoli station by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company is now about finished, and will be used for the first time Sunday morning. The tower is equipped with interlocking switches, and there will be but few towers along the main line that will be as well equipped as the one in Paoli. March 18, 1948
One Antique Nobody Wants – Shown here is a view of the 60-year-old bridge at the Paoli railroad station which was discussed at length in a PUC hearing in Philadelphia March 11 (?). Residents declare bridge is unsafe: want it replaced by an underpass. The Commission has the matter under advisement. [actually the Valley Road bridge’s opening would have been between 1880 and 1882, several years earlier than stated above]
Views of the Inn (photos by Julius Sachse, 1888)
The Inn burnt down in 1899 (photos by Lucy Sampson) On the other side of the track was the Canal Collector’s Office. Notes and References
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