Bristol New Hope Doylestown Yardley Morrisville
Bucks County is one of the three original counties created by William
Penn in 1682. Pennsbury Manor stands on the point of land formed by the
Delaware River between Morrisville and Bristol. Painstaking research went into
restoring the prim-fronted, three-storied, brick manor-house, rebuilt on the
original foundations.
Bristol
is the oldest town in Bucks County and the third oldest in
Pennsylvania. It is the southern terminus of the D&L
Trail characterized by coal
yards, shipyards, warehouses and textile mills. Its Delaware Riverfront resembles
a New England seaport. During World War II, the shipyards were converted for
use in the manufacturing of aircraft. Today, Bristol hosts special events near
the river and the 50-site Radcliffe Street Historic District. The Spurline
Trail presents the town’s improved waterfront and the nearby 235 acre sanctuary
Silver Lake Nature Center offers three miles of trails and habitats of more
than 160 species of birds, raccoon, muskrats, opossum and deer.
New
Hope started out as an industrial town and by the end of the 18th
century it had a variety of mills, ranging from grist and lumber to those that
produced flour and processed flax. In the 1820s, cotton spinning and weaving
joined the list of businesses on the banks of the Delaware. Veterans from both
the American Revolution and War of 1812 called New Hope home, and the streets
are lined with houses dating back to that era. Most of the oldest houses are on
Ferry Street.
The
Canal brought renewed economic activity to New Hope. During the late
1860s an estimated 100 canal boats a day passed through New Hope. During the
1920s and 30s, the village, nearby hamlets and farms became a flourishing art
colony. By the mid-century, it became a stopping point for plays bound for
Broadway, and home to New York and Philadelphia artists, musicians, writers and
the New Hope School of Pennsylvania Impressionists.
Logistics Locations Costs Time and
Personalized Travel Solutions
Doylestown
is home to historic architecture, sidewalks lined with brick pavers and
Victorian-style street lamps, the James A. Michener Art Museum, and the famous
Mercer Mile comprising Fonthill Museum, Mercer Museum, and the Moravian Pottery
& Tile Works.
The Heritage Conservancy is a community-based organization
dedicated to preserving and protecting open spaces, natural resources and
historic heritage as well as conservation best practices.
Yardley dates back to 1682, when William Yardley paid William Penn 10 pounds for
500 acres of land.
It wasn’t until 1807 that Yardley began to develop into a village, and by 1880
the population stood at 820 residents. Early industries included a spoke and
handle factory, sawmill, plate and plaster mill, and two flour mills. During
the Civil War, Yardley was a safe haven on the Underground Railroad. Hiding
places included the Continental Tavern, warehouse bins along the Delaware Canal,
and the town’s General Store. The Yardley Grist Mill has been a center of
commerce since its inception in the late 1600s.
Historic
Preservation much of Yardley has retained its historic integrity
thanks to the creation of a well-maintained historic district. The majority of
the buildings within the district are along South Main Street, with examples of
Second Empire, Queen Anne, and Victorian Gothic architecture. Canal Street runs
parallel to the Delaware Canal and is dotted with small, predominantly frame structures
dating from 1840. Canal bridges and an aqueduct are within the district as well
as rows of pre-canal stone homes.
The
Town of Morrisville is located at the falls of the Delaware River
across from Trenton and is the oldest town in Bucks County and
third oldest in Pennsylvania.
One-half mile from the falls of the Delaware River, nobleman Thomas Barclay’s
1765 Georgian mansion known as Summerseat once served as Washington’s
headquarters. Declaration of Independence and Constitution signers Robert
Morris, financier of the revolution and George Clymer were subsequent owners of
this National Historic Site.
Connect to Receive a Detailed Itinerary
for
Travel to Historic Bucks County Pennsylvania Towns
Local
Knowledge – Global Reach
tema@arezza.net |skype arezza1