Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania

Whitpain Township is a township located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1701, it has grown to a total population of 18,562 (US Census 2002).

Unisys and Aetna US Healthcare are headquartered in Blue Bell, a community within Whitpain Township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 33.5 km² (12.9 mi²). 33.5 km² (12.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.08% is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 18,562 people, 6,960 households, and 5,206 families residing in the township. The population density is 554.7/km² (1,436.3/mi²). There are 7,305 housing units at an average density of 218.3/km² (565.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 86.31% White, 4.69% African American, 0.06% Native American, 7.82% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 1.33% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 6,960 households out of which 34.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% are married couples living together, 6.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% are non-families. 21.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.64 and the average family size is 3.10.

In the township the population is spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $88,933, and the median income for a family is $103,613. Males have a median income of $68,125 versus $44,079 for females. The per capita income for the township is $41,739. 3.1% of the population and 1.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.7% of those under the age of 18 and 3.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

History

According to the township website, Whitpain is one of the oldest Townships in Montgomery County. However much of its original history has just recently been unearthed, dispelling some myths about its early years. The most significant discovery is that the first Whitpaine arrived on the ship, The Welcome with William Penn in 1682.

Richard Whitpaine, a London butcher, purchased a 4500-acre tract of land as part of Penn’s Holy Experiment. There is no documentation proving that Richard Whitpaine ever visited his land in America. He sent his 16-year old son, Zechariah, to settle his properties. Zechariah met his bride Sarah Songhurst, on The Welcome. By 1685, Zechariah had established a plantation house along the Wissahickon Creek, near Mount Pleasant. Shortly after, he and Sarah married.

By 1734, Whitpain Township had 24 landowners. It maintained steady growth for more than two centuries, expanding from 771 people in 1800 to 3,063 people in 1950. In recent years, the Township has experienced rapid growth. Today, Whitpain Township is home to approximately 18,000 residents.

In Holme’s Map of 1681, Whitpain Township is called Whitpain’s Creek. By 1701, when William Penn ordered a survey of all the Townships in the Commonwealth, it appeared in public records as Whitpain’s Township.

The borders of Whitpain Township changed dramatically in 1733, when Worcester Township was created, taking away a chunk of land. Today, Whitpain Township is approximately four and a half miles by three miles, or 12.8 square miles (8,640 acres). There are two watersheds in the Township: the Wissahickon Creek, and Stony Creek. Interestingly, the Wissahickon Creek was originally known as Whitpain’s Creek. Today its name, which is Indian, means catfish stream.

Early settlers to Whitpain Township were farmers. Industry came to the region in 1727, when Jacob Yost began a weaving enterprise in Centre Square. Charles Mather built an additional mill in 1804. Although a rural farming community for decades, the growth of recent years has included business development, making Whitpain Township home to several of the Philadelphia region’s largest corporations, including Aetna US Healthcare and Unisys.

Although the Whitpain Township of 2000 is home to residents of many religions and nationalities, its earliest settlers were Protestant and Quaker. Prior to the Revolutionary War, the Township had two churches: Boehm’s Reformed Church (circa 1740), and St. John’s Lutheran Church (circa 1769). Zechariah Whitpaine, a Quaker, came to America to escape religious persecution and seek his fortune.

Today, Whitpain Township is a composite of several small communities established before and after the Revolutionary War. They include West Ambler, Centre Square, Blue Bell, Broad Axe, Custer, Franklinville, Washington Square and Belfry.

Centre Square was previously known as The Waggon. Its Waggon Inn was one of the first lodgings located in the Township. Its name was changed to Centre Square, because the land lots were divided into squares.

Until 1840, Blue Bell was known as Pigeontown, because of the presence of large flocks of pigeons in the area. It is believed that Blue Bell was named in honor of the Blue Bell Inn.

Broad Axe derives its name from the Broad Axe Tavern, established in 1681.

Franklinville is situated near the northern portion of the Township. In 1880, it contained an Inn, a store operated by W. Corson, and the country estate and model farm of William Singerly, which is now Normandy Farms.

Whitpain Township has been an independent Township since 1701. However, for a brief period in 1762, Whitpain and Plymouth Townships, by act of the assembly, became one district with one supervisor from each Township. Total dissatisfaction by the populace of both townships dissolved the ill-considered act in 1763.

Whitpain Township earned a place in history during the Revolutionary War, when George Washington and many of his generals spent time in the Township. In fact, Dawesfield, a home on Lewis Lane, is considered the most significant historic site in the Township, because it was Washington’s headquarters from October 21 to November 2, 1777.

Government

Under Pennsylvania law, Whitpain Township is a Township of the Second Class. It is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors elected at-large by the electorate. Most, if not all, of the executive and legislative powers allocated to Whitpain Township in the State Second Class Township Code are vested in the Board of Supervisors. Members of the Board of Supervisors serve six year terms. Every two years, two of the seats come up for election. The exception is in the sixth year in the cycle, when only one seat comes up for election.

The Board of Supervisors is empowered to appoint professionals to assist it in the operation of the Township and to furnish advice and counsel on technical matters. Additionally, the Board appoints all the members of the various boards and commissions as well as the Zoning Hearing Board and the Planning Commission. Also, the Board of Supervisors hears conditional use applications in accordance with the Municipalities Planning Code and the Whitpain Township Zoning Ordinance.

The levying of township taxes and the appropriations to the various departments and subsidiary boards and commissions is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors. During the months of November and December, public hearings are held for the purpose of reviewing the budget for the following year.

The current membership of the Board of Supervisors (as of the election of November 2005) consists of:

Leigh P. Narducci, Chairman

Anthony F. Greco, Vice Chairman

William L. McKernan III, Treasurer

Brian W. Young, Secretary

Joseph J. Palmer, Assistant Secretary

The township government is located at 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422. The telephone number of Whitpain Township is 1-610-277-2400.

Education

Public education is handled separately from the township government. The Wissahickon School District provides public education to the children from the communities of Whitpain Township, Lower Gwynedd Township, and Ambler Borough. Within the township are three of the district's five elementary schools: Blue Bell Elementary School, Shady Grove Elementary School, and Stony Creek Elementary School. Wissahickon Middle School and Wissahickon High School are located outside of the township.

Also situated within the township is one college, Montgomery County Community College.

Relevant Links

Whitpain Township Official Site Wissahickon School District Official Site Montgomery County Community College Official Site