Living History: Historic wanderings around Landenberg

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The village of Landenberg has seen many enterprising characters settling in the region once inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape Indians. William Penn directed surveyor Henry Hollingsworth to lay out a plot of land for Penn’s children in 1699. From an original plan of 35,000 acres, William Penn Jr. received a patent for his land in May 1706. Approximately 8,913 acres of this plot became New Garden Township. A lovely area with abundant wildlife, it lies within the drainage of two watersheds — White Clay Creek and Red Clay Creek. The slope of the land led settlers to build dams and later mills along the creeks and smaller streams feeding into them.  White Clay Creek supported many sawmills, gristmills, a woolen mill, a cotton processing factory and many other establishments.

Martin Landberger
Martin Landberger

New Garden Township attracted many settlers from Europe. James McClurg emigrated from Scotland in the early 1700’s. His grandson was born at Hampton, Va. in 1746, graduated at the age of 16 from William and Mary College and later earned a medical degree from the University of Edinburgh. He was urged to move to London, but chose otherwise due to his strong sympathies for the American colonists. McClurg was appointed a member of the Federal convention meeting in Philadelphia to frame the Constitution. Sadly, he died before its final adoption, but his family received a grant of land for his services during the American Revolution. One of McClurg’s descendants — John Russell McClurg — graduated from Jefferson Medical College. He practiced medicine in Landenberg until 1858, then was commissioned in 1862 during the Civil War as a surgeon in the U.S. Volunteers.

A large white structure just off of Route 41 was once the residence of a craftsman who helped us mark time. A premier clock maker — Isaac Jackson — lived there for more than 40 years, making tall grandfather-style clocks. Born near West Grove in 1734, Jackson was apprenticed to the master clockmaker John Wood Sr. of Philadelphia. In 1762, Isaac's father William deeded him 200 acres in New Garden Township. Isaac began producing elegant clocks which were sold throughout the region. A number of Jackson clocks are owned by Chester County families. After more than two hundred years, they continue to tell time. One is displayed at the Chester County Historical Society.

As merchants increasingly utilized the potential of the nearby streams, the area gained importance due to its large woolen mills, notably one owned by Martin Landenberger. Landenberger emigrated from Germany in 1832, settling in Philadelphia. Interested in the weaving industry, he later purchased the Chandlerville and Laurel Mills in 1864. He was quite successful, employing a total of 1,000 people among his mill sites in the region. Due to his significant influence, the town was named after him. Jim Lund followed in his tracks, coming to the United States in 1868. Lund became an expert weaver for Scheppers Brothers in Philadelphia. In 1878 he moved to Landenburg, taking employment in the woolen mills of Landenburg & Co. After the operation entered bankruptcy, Lund purchased the mills. Under his management, the Lund Woolen Mills became the most important manufacturing establishment in the area. Its worsted yarns were distributed in markets throughout the country.

Boyd’s Business Directory reported Landenberg’s population at 414 in 1882, growing to 1,000 by the year 1900 as the town thrived. Hiram Hall Storey was a merchant who also served as the town’s postmaster. His dry goods store had a sign hanging out front proudly proclaiming “This is the place- best goods, lowest prices.” The establishment was so successful that Storey opened a second one in Hockessin. He eventually turned that over to his son-in-law William from another prosperous family, the Mendenhalls. The Storey homestead was near the Landenberg Hotel, built for Ezra Lund in 1874. The hotel saw an assortment of wild characters come through the doors. Rumors hint that it operated as the town brothel and in one reincarnation was turned into a match factory. The hotel and the store still stand today; the hotel now houses private businesses.

People enjoyed living in and around Landenberg due to its peaceful solitude. Rustic structures built back then seemed to blend well with the bucolic countryside. A covered bridge was built over White Clay Creek in 1856, later replaced in 1871 by an arched iron structure. In 1898, a Pratt Pony Truss Bridge manufactured by the Phoenixville Iron Works was built over the creek. The new bridge included a unique cantilevered walkway, its 18-foot width allowing for teams of horses to pass, along with room for a newfound contraption- the automobile. The Landenberg Bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, but in March 2010 the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission ruled that recent structural changes diminished its significance and removed it from the list.

You can still feel the rich heritage of the town as you walk the streets. Stop in the Landenberg General Store, where you can see many photographs from yesteryear. As you stand in front of the old hotel, with its weathered sign still clinging to the Victorian-era structure, you can almost hear the workers talking as they come from the mills, ready for a break after a long day in one of the most prosperous towns in the history of Chester County.

* Gene Pisasale is an author based in Kennett Square. He’s written five books and conducts a lecture series based on historical topics of local interest. “The Forgotten Star” is his latest work which focuses on the War of 1812 and true life mysteries surrounding an American icon- the Star-Spangled Banner. His Web site is www.GenePisasale.com; he can be reached at Gene@GenePisasale.com.

About Gene Pisasale

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square, Pa. His eight books and historic lecture series focus on the history of the mid-Atlantic region. Gene’s latest book is Alexander Hamilton: Architect of the American Financial System, which delves into the life and many accomplishments of this important Founding Father who almost single-handedly transformed our nation from a bankrupt entity into the most successful country in the history of mankind. Gene’s books are available on www.Amazon.com. His website is www.GenePisasale.com; he can be reached at Gene@GenePisasale.com.

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