|
Although Oxford,
Chester County, PA is becoming a booming center of new,
modern housing and small businesses, it is also a town
rich in history.
Oxford had its
earliest beginnings at a crossroads in 1754 when John
Hayes built a two-story log cabin at the site of the
current Oxford Hotel, in what was then Londonderry
Township. Hayes sold the cabin to Walter Hood and
crossroads became known and appears on maps as Hoods
Corner, Hoods Crossing or Hoods Tavern.
In downtown
Oxford, at what is now the site of the Union Fire Company
No. 1, is where seven roads came together. It was an old
Indian trail, and a natural meeting place for those
traveling from the Delaware River to the Susquehanna.
Oxford had level ground and springs of good water, and
made for a good resting-place. Third Street in Oxford was
part of the Nanticoke Trail. Indians followed this trail
from the Poconos to the Chesapeake Bay. Chester County
was established in 1682, and there was slow growth in the
area now known as Oxford until 1730. The dominant ethnic
group who migrated to the Oxford area was the
Scotch-Irish. Escaping economic hardships and religious
persecution, they left their European homes and landed in
Philadelphia and New Castle, DE, then moved west towards
Oxford.
Research
indicates that on November 26, 1754 Londonderry Township
was divided and the name of Oxford, after Oxford, England
was given to the western part. In 1797 this area was
divided into Upper and Lower Oxford Townships with Hoods
Crossing falling within Lower Oxford Township. Hood’s, as
Oxford was first known, remained a meeting place and
stopover for travelers as stagecoaches from Philadelphia
and Baltimore traveled through three times a week and used
the town as a rest stop. It grew slowly, at first only as
a crossroads with a few stores, but with the advent of the
stagecoach line, the number of stores increased as goods
moved freely in and out of Oxford.
In 1805 a post
office was established at Hoods Tavern to serve Lower
Oxford Township and the settlement took the name of Oxford
Village or Oxford Crossing around that time. In 1810 the
Chester and Delaware Federalist Newspaper carried an
advertisement for the sale of property in the Village of
Oxford. In 1833 Oxford was incorporated into a borough.
On April 16, 1868 a supplement to the act to incorporate
the village of Oxford was passed. These acts are referred
to in the initial minutes of Oxford Borough Council. On
May 11, 1838 the first Chief Burgess, Assistant Burgess,
five council members and a high constable were elected.
The Oxford minutes and records also start at this time.
Thus some references quote 1833 as the incorporation date
and some state 1838. The seal of the Oxford Borough bears
the 1833 date. Oxford’s unique location, midway between
important cities such as Philadelphia, New York City,
Baltimore, and Washington, DC has attracted people for
over 200 years, and continues to do so while the history
continues to be preserved.
The population
grew from 186 to more than 1000 between 1850 and 1870.
What really changed the face of Oxford in the late 1800’s
was the railroad. Grain, potatoes, dairy products and hay
left Oxford by the train carload to help feed the rest of
the growing United States. Oxford Feed & Lumber, formerly
known as Oxford Grain & Hay is the oldest Oxford business
still in existence. It sits along the tracks of the old
Philadelphia-Baltimore Central Railroad behind Fourth and
Market Streets. This business is now owned by the Drennen
family who have kept the historical integrity of the
building.
A large oak tree
still standing in the center of town on what is referred
to as the ‘green’ dates from the time of William Penn. In
1856, this green was Oxford’s first burial ground. When
Third Street was constructed, the bodies were moved to
what is now the Oxford Cemetery on Pine Street.
Between 1840 and
1880, many beautiful Carpenter Gothic, Queen Anne and
Victorian style homes were built. Some of these homes on
Pine Street, Fourth Street, and Western Terrace are still
in existence. In addition to the many breathtaking
historic homes in Oxford, it was also the home of industry
in the late 1800’s. One example, Bowman’s Generating
Plant, which sold electricity, was built in 1893.
The Oxford area
is an area of rich farmland and there is a definite Amish
presence, which adds to the charm of this community.
Some historical points to ponder:
1783 In the list of
Bible records in the Chester County Historical Society a
Bible was printed in Oxford by W. Jackson and A. Hamilton.
1784
Oxford Public Library was established by 28 members. It is
the third oldest in the state and the oldest in Chester
County. It is presently located on Second Street and
continues to progress to meet the demands of the growing
population.
1805 Oxford Post
Office was established and is believed to be the tenth
oldest in Chester County.
1833 Oxford
incorporated as a borough
1857 The National Bank
was first chartered and was known as the Octoraro Bank.
1866 The Oxford
Press was established.
1869 First high
school built in Oxford
1872 Union Fire
Company organized and chartered under state laws.
|
