Lionville Beginnings [†]
In 1833, William Trimble bought 59 acres from John Gordon and proceeded to divide it into parcels, particularly the part with frontage on the King's Road. Between 1820 and 1870, virtually all of the village of Lionville as it is seen today was built. Two general stores came into existence plus Mordecai Lee's small shop. A wool felt hat factory appeared which sold beyond the local trade. Two Oyster Saloons were popular. In 1823 Vickers established a fambus pottery works. Its products were delivered all over the county in blue and white wagons. A fine cabinetmaking family named Hartman set up business across from the Wagonseller's house. Their advertisements emphasized all kinds of fashionable furniture "including Windsor chairs". They were also the coffinmakers for the area. The Hartmans delivered in a simple one-horse hearse. A later coffinmaker used a ·fancier carriage with a two-horse draw.
The village also had a watchmaker a tinsmith, a harnessmaker and saddler and two physicians most of the time, a Pilgrin Lodge, I.O.O.F., a mantuamaker (Millinery), several dressmakers, and a tailor in each store. Epectations were rising. For a time it was thought that the main branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad was going to come through the highland instead of the valley. When this did not occur, the surrounding farms and townspeople settled into a less exciting, but comfortable way of life.
Towards the middle of the century, the Lutherans became a strong influence in the community and in 1852 built St. Paul's Church when Mordecai Lee sold them an acre of ground. In these years, mail arrived on Wednesday. It came by a one-horse wagon out the Lancaster Turnpike to Oakland (Whitford) from which it was sent up Thomas Road to Lionville and north. Lionville residents, at their own expense, employed a person to carry the mail on Saturday. Then came a stage line from West Chester to Reading (Dunwoody Brothers) making three round mail trips per week. By 1876, Lionville asked for daily mail and was granted twice da{ly mail.
† Adapted from: Susannah Brody & Members of the Uwchlan Historical Commission, Estelle Cremers, Eleanor Morris, Mary Lloyd Busenkell, Eleanor Barger, French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Lionville Historic District, nomination document, 1980, National Register of Historic Places, Washington, D.C.
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