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The Main Line is a collection of towns in the western suburbs of Philadelphia named after the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad (currently Amtrak's Keystone Corridor and SEPTA's R5 line). Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ... The Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad was a rail line in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, connecting Philadelphia with Pittsburgh via Harrisburg. ... The high-speed Acela Express in West Windsor, New Jersey. ... For details about the Amtrak-owned piece, see Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line. ... This article is about the transit agency. ... The SEPTA R5 is a route of the SEPTA Regional Rail (commuter rail) system. ...

History

The area comprising the Main Line was once home to the Lenni Lenape Indians. The Main Line was settled by Europeans in the 1600s, when William Penn sold a tract of land (the Welsh Tract) to a group of Welsh Quakers for ten cents an acre.^{[citation needed]} The Lenape or Lenni-Lenape (later named Delaware Indians by Europeans) were, in the 1600s, loosely organized bands of Native American people practicing small-scale agriculture to augment a largely mobile hunter-gatherer society in the region around the Delaware River, the lower Hudson River, and western Long Island Sound. ... For other uses, see William Penn (disambiguation). ... The Welsh Tract, also called the Welsh Barony, was a portion of Pennsylvania settled largely by Welsh-speaking Quakers. ... The Welsh are, according to Hastings (1997), an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language, which is a Celtic language. ... Quaker redirects here. ... ¢ c A United States cent, or 1¢ or a penny In currency, the cent is a monetary unit that equals 1/100 of various countries basic monetary units. ...

The Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad was constructed during the early nineteenth century as part of the Main Line of Public Works that spanned Pennsylvania. Later in the century, the railroad, which owned much of the land surrounding the tracks, encouraged the development of this picturesque environment by building way stations along the portion of its track closest to Philadelphia. The construction of sprawling estates attracted Philadelphia elite, many of whom had one house in the city and another larger "country home" on the Main Line. 1893 map The Pennsylvania Railroad (AAR reporting mark PRR) was an American railroad that was founded in 1846 and merged in 1968 into Penn Central Transportation. ... Map The Main Line of Public Works was a railroad and canal system built by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, running from Philadelphia west across the state to Pittsburgh. ... Passengers bustle around the typical grand edifice of Londons Broad Street station in 1865. ... For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ...

The railroad placed stops approximately two minutes apart starting with Overbrook. The surrounding communities became known for the railroad station names which started at Suburban Station in downtown Philadelphia and went on to 30th St. Station, and then the stops were named: Overbrook, Merion, Narberth, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, Villanova, Radnor, St. Davids, Wayne, Strafford, Devon, Berwyn, Daylesford, finally ending at Paoli.^{[citation needed]} The train that served these stations was known as the "Paoli Local", and that name became a near-synonym for the Main Line itself.

The actual railroad line then continued on to Chicago, with major stations at Lancaster, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. The railroad, since taken over by Amtrak, is still in service, although its route is slightly different from the original. It also serves the R5 line of the SEPTA Regional Rail system. For other uses, see Chicago (disambiguation). ... , Official name: City of Lancaster Nickname: The Red Rose City Country  United States State  Pennsylvania County Location Penn Square  - coordinates , Highest point  - elevation 368 ft (112 m) Area 7. ... This article is about the capital city of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ... Pittsburgh redirects here. ... The high-speed Acela Express in West Windsor, New Jersey. ... SEPTA redirects here. ...

The Main Line today

Today the Main Line is another name for the western suburbs of Philadelphia along Lancaster Avenue (U.S. Route 30) and the former Pennsylvania Railroad Main Line, extending from the city limits to approximately Paoli, Pennsylvania^{[citation needed]} comprising an area of approximately 200 square miles. The upper/upper middle class enclave outside of Philadelphia is often believed to be the setting for the classic Hepburn/Grant/Stewart motion picture The Philadelphia Story. The principal municipalities comprising the Main Line are (from east to west) Lower Merion Township, Narberth Borough, Radnor Township, Tredyffrin Township, Easttown Township, Village of Paoli, Malvern, East Whiteland Township, and Charlestown Township^{[citation needed]}. With diverse topography, steep cliffs along the Schuylkill River, rolling hills, and open meadows, the Main Line has benefited from the early planning of William Penn. The Main Line is known for its multimillion-dollar stone Colonial homes, exclusivity, and upscale shopping. The Main Line is also home to some of the best public and private schools in the state, and many small private colleges. This U.S. Highway article needs to be cleaned up to conform to both a higher standard of article quality and accepted design standards outlined in the WikiProject U.S. Highways. ... The Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad was a rail line in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, connecting Philadelphia with Pittsburgh via Harrisburg. ... Paoli is a census-designated place located in Chester County, Pennsylvania. ... The Philadelphia Story is a 1940 romantic screwball comedy starring Jimmy Stewart, Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. ... Lower Merion Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and part of the Pennsylvania Main Line. ... Narberth is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Radnor Township is a municipality in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Tredyffrin Township (Welsh: Tre (town) + Dyffryn (valley)) is a township located in eastern Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 29,062 at the 2000 census. ... Easttown Township is a township located in Chester County, Pennsylvania. ... Paoli is a census-designated place located in Chester County, Pennsylvania. ... Charlestown Township is a township located in Chester County, Pennsylvania. ... For other uses, see William Penn (disambiguation). ...

Main Line in books, movies, music and television

• Pride
• Official Preppy Handbook, by Lisa Birnbach
• The Philadelphia Story
• Gloria (Laura Branigan song) – the Main Line is mentioned in this pop song.
• Bobos in Paradise, by David Brooks
• Trading Places
• Philadelphia – Andrew Beckett visits his family during Thanksgiving in a suburb in the area.
• My Super Sweet 16
• Wide Awake
• Kitty Foyle
• The It Girl, by Cecily von Ziegesar
• Pretty Little Liars, by Sara Shepard
• Thirtysomething
• In Her Shoes – Toni Collette's character attends a Main Line wedding and jokes about what she should wear.
• The Sixth Sense – The wake scene was set in Ardmore
• To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar – Patrick Swayze's character is from Bala Cynwyd, PA.... The gang makes a detour to see his family home located on Bala Cynwyd's extremely wealthy Highland Ave (the house shown in the movie still stands today, although it has been recently repainted), just in time to see his snobby-looking mother going into the house.
• The Art of War (film)
• The Man of My Dreams, by Curtis Sittenfeld
• Stella Dallas – Stella's ex-husband and family are wealthy Philadelphia suburbanites.
• A Stranger is Watching The main character's murdered wife Nina grew up in a wealthy Philadelphia Main Line Family. In the book, it mentions that Nina went to Bryn Mawr College.

Pride is the name of an emotion which refers to a strong sense of self-respect, a refusal to be humiliated as well as joy in the accomplishments of oneself or a person, group, nation or object that one identifies with. ... Cover of The Official Preppy Handbook The Official Preppy Handbook is a tongue-in-cheek reference guide edited by Lisa Birnbach; it describes an aspect of North American culture she styles as prepdom. ... The Philadelphia Story is a 1940 romantic screwball comedy starring Jimmy Stewart, Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. ... Gloria is a pop song recorded by Laura Branigan in 1982, released as a single and appearing on her debut album, Branigan. ... Bobos in Paradise is a book by David Brooks, first published in 2000. ... David Brooks David Brooks (born August 11, 1961) is a columnist for The New York Times who has become one of the prominent voices of conservative politics in the United States. ... This article is about the 1983 movie. ... Philadelphia is a 1993 movie written by Ron Nyswaner and directed by Jonathan Demme. ... For other uses, see Thanksgiving (disambiguation). ... For the 2007 Movie, see Super Sweet 16: The Movie My Super Sweet 16 is an MTV reality series documenting the lives of upper class teenagers preparing and celebrating their traditional coming-of-age birthday parties. ... Wide Awake is a 1998 film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. ... Kitty Foyle, subtitled The Natural History of a Woman, is a 1940 film starring Ginger Rogers, Dennis Morgan, James Craig, Ernest Cossart and Gladys Cooper. ... It has been suggested that Tinsley Carmichael be merged into this article or section. ... Cecily von Ziegesar (born 27th June 1970) is an American author of youth oriented novels. ... Pretty Little Liars is a novel series written by Sara Shepard. ... Thirtysomething (1987 – 1991) was a ground-breaking and award-winning American television drama created by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick for United Artists Television. ... In Her Shoes is a 2005 drama film, directed by Curtis Hanson. ... For the ability sometimes referred to as sixth sense, see Extra-sensory perception. ... Ardmore is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar is a 1995 LGBT Hollywood film, starring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo. ... Patrick Wayne Swayze (born August 18, 1952) is an American dancer, actor, singer and songwriter. ... The Art of War is an American action movie. ... Curtis Sittenfeld (born 1975) is an American writer and teacher whose first novel, Prep (2005; ISBN 1400062314), a tale about a New England prep school, has been hailed by reviewers for literary, book trade, and womens magazines alike. ... Curtis Sittenfeld (born 1975) is an American writer and teacher whose first novel, Prep (2005; ISBN 1400062314), a tale about a New England prep school, has been hailed by reviewers for literary, book trade, and womens magazines alike. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Communities on the Main Line

The Main Line proper is a line of communities extending northwest from the City of Philadelphia. From Philadelphia, the stations on what is now referred to as the R5 train line are: Overbrook,^[1] Merion, Narberth, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford and Bryn Mawr, which inspired the mnemonic "Old Maids Never Wed And Have Babies". The other rail line communities extending past Bryn Mawr are Rosemont, Villanova, Radnor, St. Davids, Wayne, Strafford, Devon, Berwyn, Daylesford, and Paoli. For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) and Philly. ... Overbrook station Overbrook Station is an above-ground commuter rail station located at the edge of the City of Philadelphia at 63rd St & City Av, Philadelphia, PA 19151 [1]. It is served by most R5 Paoli-Thorndale trains with the exception of a few express runs. ... Merion station Merion Station is an above-ground commuter rail station located at the just outside of the City of Philadelphia at Idris Roadd & Hazelhurst Avenue, Merion, Pennsylvania 19066 [1]. It is served by most R5 Paoli-Thorndale trains with the exception of a few express runs. ... Narbeth station Narberth Station is an above-ground commuter rail station located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia at Haverford & Narberth Aves, Narberth, Pennsylvania 19072 [1]. It is served by most R5 Paoli-Thorndale trains with the exception of a few express runs. ... Wynnewood station Wynnewood Station is an above-ground commuter rail station located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia at Wynnewood & Penn Roads, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania 19096 [1]. It is served by most R5 Paoli-Thorndale trains with the exception of a few express runs. ... Ardmore station Ardmore Station is an above-ground commuter rail station located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia at Anderson & Counter Aves, Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003 [1]. It is served by Amtrak Keystone Service trains and most R5 Paoli-Thorndale trains with the exception of a few express runs. ... Haverford station Haverford Station is an above-ground commuter rail station located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia at Haverford Station Rd, Haverford, Pennsylvania 19041 [1]. It is served by most R5 Paoli-Thorndale trains with the exception of a few express runs. ... Bryn Mawr station Bryn Mawr Station is an above-ground commuter rail station located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia at Morris & Bryn Mawr Aves, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010 [1]. It is served by most R5 Paoli-Thorndale trains with the exception of a few Limited and express trains. ... For other uses, see Mnemonic (disambiguation). ... Bryn Mawr is in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and Delaware County, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia, along U.S. Highway Route 30 (Lancaster Avenue). ... Did you mean: Rosemont, Illinois Rosemont, Pennsylvania Rosemont (borough of Montreal, Quebec) Rosemont (racehorse) Rosemont Plantation boyhood and family home of Jefferson Davis www. ... Villanova is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... Radnor may refer to: Radnor Township, Pennsylvania Radnorshire This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... St Davids (Welsh: Tŷddewi) is the smallest city in the United Kingdom, with a population of under 2,000 people. ... Wayne is of English origin and means wagon maker. // Wayne is the given name of men such as: Wayne Bennett (rugby league footballer), Australian rugby league coach Wayne C. Booth, literary critic Wayne Brabender, A Spanish sports player Wayne Brady an American comedian, singer, and television personality Wayne Bridge, English... Strafford is the name of several places in the United States of America: Strafford, Missouri Strafford, New Hampshire Strafford, Pennsylvania Strafford, Vermont Strafford County, New Hampshire There is also Center Strafford, New Hampshire. ... For other uses, see Devon (disambiguation). ... Berwyn is the name of some places in the United States of America: Berwyn, Illinois Devon-Berwyn, Pennsylvania Berwyn Heights, Maryland. ... The name Daylesford is borne by a number of settlements: Daylesford Victoria is an Australian town Daylesford Oxfordshire is an English village This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Pasquale Paoli (1725 - 1807) () was a Corsican general and patriot, who headed the unsuccessful Corsican struggle for independence, first from Genoa, then from France. ...

In recent years, the R5 train service has extended to the west of Paoli.

Other communities, most notably Bala Cynwyd and Gladwyne are included in what is commonly accepted as the Main Line, as they both are typical Main Line communities and are adjacent to Main Line towns.^{[citation needed]} Neither, however, is located on the rail line for which the area is named and therefore they may be considered culturally rather than geographically on the Main Line. Bala Cynwyd is a village in Lower Merion Township which is located in the Main Line in southeastern Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. ... Gladwyne is a suburban community in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. ...

A list of communities on the Main Line follows:^{[citation needed]}

Ardmore is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... Bala Cynwyd is a village in Lower Merion Township which is located in the Main Line in southeastern Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. ... Bryn Mawr is in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and Delaware County, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia, along U.S. Highway Route 30 (Lancaster Avenue). ... Devon-Berwyn is a census-designated place that probably describes the densely populated area at the center of what the residents and the post office consider the two separate towns of Devon and Berwyn, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Devon-Berwyn is a census-designated place that probably describes the densely populated area at the center of what the residents and the post office consider the two separate towns of Devon and Berwyn, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Gladwyne is a suburban community in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Haverford is an unincorporated community located mostly in Haverford Township in Delaware County, but also partially in Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County, about 10 miles west of Philadelphia. ... Paoli is a census-designated place located in Chester County, Pennsylvania. ... Location of Malvern in relation to Paoli and Chesterbrook Malvern is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Merion is a community in Pennsylvania state of the United States. ... Narberth is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Radnor Township is a township located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. ... Rosemont is a community in Pennsylvania on the Pennsylvania Main Line lying partly in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania and partly in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania. ... St. ... Devon-Berwyn is a census-designated place that probably describes the densely populated area at the center of what the residents and the post office consider the two separate towns of Devon and Berwyn, located in Chester County, Pennsylvania. ... Villanova is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... Wayne is a community within the Main Line of Pennsylvania. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

School districts

• Lower Merion
• Haverford
• Great Valley
• Radnor
• Tredyffrin/Easttown

Lower Merion High School is where NBA superstar Kobe Bryant attended before heading into professional basketball. ... The School District of Haverford Township is a school district in Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Map of Chester County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts. ... The Radnor Township School District serves Radnor Township, Pennsylvania and has 3 elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. ... Tredyffrin/Easttown School District (T/E in short) is a school district based in Tredyffrin Township, Pennsylvania. ...

Colleges and universities

• Bryn Mawr College
• Cabrini College
• Eastern University
• Harcum College
• Haverford College
• Immaculata University
• Rosemont College
• Valley Forge Military Academy and College
• Villanova University
• Saint Joseph's University

Bryn Mawr College (pronounced ) is a highly selective womens liberal arts college located in Bryn Mawr, a community in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, ten miles northwest of Philadelphia. ... Cabrini College is a coeducational Roman Catholic residential college in the Philadelphia metropolitan area of Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, founded by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1957. ... Eastern University is a private, co-educational, and Christian university in Pennsylvania. ... Harcum College is a junior college located in the Main Line Philadelphia-suburb of Bryn Mawr. ... Haverford College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. ... Immaculata University is a Catholic university on King Road in Malvern, Pennsylvania. ... Rosemont College is a womens college located in Rosemont, Pennsylvania. ... The Valley Forge Military Academy is a boarding school for young men grades seven through twelve, and additionally offers a co-ed 2 year junior college program. ... Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. ... This article is about the university in the United States. ...

Notes

Overbrook is a neighborhood in the West Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Pennsylvania Main Line

• MainLinePhilly
• The Main Line Chamber of Commerce
• Main Line Legislators (Federal & State)
• Main Line Today
• Main Line Times
• Main Line Restaurant Guide
• Best of Main Line
• Historical Main Line Maps
• Maps of the Pennsylvania Railroad