Historic Fallsington, Inc.

The village of Fallsington, located in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was one of the earliest settlements in Pennsylvania. The names of the village and township are derived from a falls nearby on the Delaware River. The "falls" of the Delaware River is not a dramatic waterfall but, rather, the rapids that mark the highest navigable point on the river.

Fallsington was settled by English Quakers in the late 17th century; they established the Falls Meeting in 1683. William Penn attended services there while in residence at nearby Pennsbury Manor. The Bucks County courthouse was located in Fallsington before it was moved in 1705 to Bristol. Fallsington became significant as a religious, social and commercial center for the surrounding community, as well as a stopover point for stagecoach travelers. Until the construction of Fairless Hills and Levittown, it was the largest village in the township, and functioned for many years as a commercial center.

Transportation played a major role in the growth of Fallsington and Falls Township. In addition to being conveniently located next to the Delaware River, Fallsington benefitted from the 1686 construction of the King's Highway, which ran from Philadelphia to Trenton along an existing Indian trail. Additional roads, turnpikes, and transportation were built through the township during the following centuries. The Delaware Canal was opened in 1832, and a railroad line from Philadelphia to Trenton was built between 1833 and 1835. The rail line became part of Pennsylvania Railroad's main New York-Philadelphia line. The "West Trenton" cut-off of the Pennsylvania Railroad was built through the northern part of the Township at the end of 19th century.

Fallsington became the first historic district in Bucks County in 1955 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, largely due to the efforts of Historic Fallsington, Inc.

Bibliography:

Falls Township. "History of Falls Township." Accessed January 25, 2013. http://www.fallstwp.com/?page_id=175

Historic Fallsington, Inc. "Fallsington's History." Accessed January 25, 2013. http://www.historicfallsington.org/html/about_us/history.htm

From the guide to the Historic Fallsington, Inc. manuscript collection, 1729-1984, (Historic Fallsington, Inc.)

Settled by English Quakers in the late 17th century, the village of Fallsington in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania became significant as a religious, social and commercial center for the surrounding community. It served as a popular stopover point for travelers due to its location along several major transportation systems.

Fallsington became the first historic district in Bucks County in 1955 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, largely due to the efforts of Historic Fallsington, Inc. This historic preservation organization and museum formed in the early 1950s as a response to the suburban development that threatened the destruction of historic homes and buildings in the 300 year-old village. Historic Fallsington's mission is to preserve and maintain the historic structures under its stewardship for future generations and to educate the public about the culture and history of the Village of Fallsington. Since its founding, the organization has continued to work to protect the heritage of the Village, and while doing so, has amassed a considerable archives that documents the history of the Falls Township and its residents.

Bibliography:

Falls Township. "History of Falls Township." Accessed January 25, 2013. http://www.fallstwp.com/?page_id=175

Historic Fallsington, Inc. "Fallsington's History." Accessed January 25, 2013. http://www.historicfallsington.org/html/about_us/history.htm

From the guide to the Historic Fallsington, Inc. records, 1956-circa 1995, (Historic Fallsington, Inc.)