The land, few remaining structures, and remnant ruins that comprise Rose Valley Preserve have an interesting history. The land was originally part of a much larger farm (approximately 200 acres) known as York Stock Farm. It was known to be owned by Ellis Lewis in 1734 and his sons Amos and John. The Amos Lewis home dating to 1735 and 1808 still remains and occupied by Mrs. Algeo. Farming of the Preserve land is reported to have ceased in the 1920s. The last farmer was Milton Harr, Mrs. Algeo’s grandfather. Several Upper Dublin residents noted some additional small scale farming use after that time with grazing and fruit trees. The area was also the site of Quinby Farms owned by Wilmer Atkinson, hence the names Atkinson Lane and Orchard Drive. Amos and John Lewis are reported to have served in Captain John Mann’s 8th Company, 4th Battalion, Philadelphia County Militia during the Revolutionary War. That unit was reportedly engaged in the battles of Germantown, Brandywine, and Trenton. It is also reported that British soldiers under General William Howe’s command occupied the Amos Lewis house for several days displacing the family and utilizing the barn and farm. (Arthur Hugh Jenkins, 1905. Upper Dublin A Country Beautiful)
Adjacent and immediately south of the Preserve is a red roofed corn crib that has occupied this site for over 100 years. It has a basement level and is reported to have been a stop of the Underground Railroad.
Remains of some of the structures can still be seen.
Cache has been approved by Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation.
The preserve is used for the Deer Management program (i.e. hunting) in the fall so be sure to wear orange if attempting it in season.