Welcome To Lansdale Borough
HISTORY-The region's first inhabitants were Native Americans, followed by European settlers. One of these early pioneers was Jenkin Jenkins, a Welsh immigrant who claimed a large parcel of land in what is now known as Lansdale Borough, as his home. Jenkins is generally accepted as Lansdale's first permanent resident with his 1795 farmhouse the oldest existing structure in the borough.
Through the mid 1800's, the area consisted of a handful of farms scattered throughout the wilderness. However, in 1853, the North Pennsylvania Railroad began constructing a link between Philadelphia and the northern part of the state. Chief surveyor, Philip Lansdale Fox, who also provided for much of the labor force, oversaw completion of the first 21 miles of the line by 1856. Since the name of the first area settler was already paid in tribute at nearby Jenkintown, the current terminus of the railroad line was named after the railroad's prominent surveyor. Hence, the town of Lansdale was born.
Lansdale became a natural place for railroad workers to settle, with businesses quickly blossoming to serve their needs. Soon, Lansdale became an area postal hub as well. By 1872, the year of Lansdale's official "Incorporation", the population had swelled to 400. Over the years, the borough grew to its present size of 1,896 acres. The railroads aided in the development of the borough as a business, residential and transportation center. Today, Lansdale is considered the geographic center of the North Penn Region and provides jobs and housing opportunities for many. Small businesses and shops are very active as the borough continues to promote its downtown district. It should be noted that many businesses and residents have a Lansdale mailing address but are actually located in the surrounding Townships of Upper Gwynedd, Towamencin, Montgomery and Hatfield. Since its beginning, Lansdale has continued to grow as both a cultural and industrial center of Montgomery County and S.E. Pennnsylvania, and home for many of Pennsylvania's prominent citizens.
