Historical Society of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

The Clifton House is now open for visitors. Stop in on a Wednesday from the hours of 2 pm till 4 pm for just a visit or to see what we have in the Library.

EARLY ROADS IN UPPER DUBLIN
The township is crossed by the Spring House turnpike two miles, the Lewisville and Prospectville pike two miles, Upper Dublin and Horsham pike one mile, Limekiln pike three and one-half miles and the Plymouth and Upper Dublin pike over one mile. The latter two roads were constructed in 1851 and 1855.

The road from North Wales or Gwynedd to Germantown and Philadelphia, but now better known as the Bethlehem road or turnpike, which was laid out in 1704, but not opened until 1714, passes two miles across the west corner of the township. What is now called the Welsh road was opened from Gwynedd in 1712, forming the boundary line of Horsham, and extends to the present Huntingdon Valley, on the Pennypack. Respecting this road, there was a dispute, in 1731, between the two townships about keeping it in repair. Although Thomas Fitzwater had applied to the court for the grant of a road from his limekilns to the Pennypack Mills, by way of Abington Meeting-House, in 1705, it was not laid out and operated until 1725. This is the road now leading from Fitzwatertown through Weldon and Jenkintown. The Limekiln road was in use and bore this name before 1716. John Burk, in June, 1744, sent a petition to the Court of Quarter Sessions, stating that he had lately erected a grist-mill in Upper Dublin, and that he was in want of a road of about half a mile in length from the same to the Gwynedd road, passing on his line, with lands of Andrew Bradford, deceased. It was accordingly ordered to be laid out. This is now the present John Heist’s mill, above Gilkison’s Corner, on the Bethlehem road.

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Our Mission

To preserve the history of the Ambler area and above all, to promote the study of history, dealing with our area.

Meetings & Learning Sessions

The Society’s 8 p.m. meetings (with programs) are held at the headquarters at Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, PA the third Tuesday of every month, September thru November and January thru May, weather permitting The phone number to call for information, 215-646-6065

Contact Us

The Historical Society of Fort Washington

The Clifton House - Fort Washington State Park

474 South Bethlehem Pike

Fort Washington, PA 19034