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Battle of Llanerch Crossing Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Stews Crew: Archiving, this has had a nice long run but is missing again. Opening up the area in case someone else wants to place on here. Thanks to all who visited!

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Hidden : 10/6/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Often wondered why this little park didn't have a cache.  Another cache nearby was recently archived and this has given the opportunity to place one here. Nice mural, interesting spot. Note that there is also a separate letterbox in the same area that is not this cache.

Llanerch Crossing, also called Gateway to Haverford Township.  West Chester Pike used to be a dusty, muddy stage coach line extending out of Philadelphia from Market Street.  In 1858 the West Chester Road was covered with hemlock planks from West Philadelphia to Newtown Square and was owned by the Philadelphia and West Chester Turnpike Road Company.  It cost 1 penney per mile to travel on it, and there were toll houses along the way.

In 1859 the Turnpike Road Company created the Delaware County Passenger Rail Road, with horse-drawn, open-air cars running on rails, bringing passengers on Sunday excursions from Philadelphia to Castle Rock, past Newtown Square. By 1859, there was a coal fired trolley line running along this route. 

The conflict arose when the Philadelphia Railroad (PRR) began building a passenger line called the Philadelphia & Delaware County Passenger railroad, which would cross at Llanerch.  Both companies were laying tracks to Newtown Square.   In 1895 the PRR parked a locomotive in the direct path of the trolley line, to effectively create a blockade and stop the progression of the trolley line. The result was the Battle of Llanerch Crossing fought in courtrooms, and with fists, and ending up in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  11 railroad employees were arrested.  By the end of 1895 the trolley line had won the battle, and a year later it was running on electricity. Congrats to bigmacPA on FTF!

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