Thornbury Township municipal offices are located at 6 Township Drive, Cheyney PA 19319.
Phone: 610‑399‑8383.
Neighborhoods
Regional setting
Early development
The history section says Thornbury was founded in 1687 and was originally shaped by farming, land subdivision, and water-powered industry along Chester Creek. Sarum became an early industrial center when John Taylor opened the Sarum Forge by 1724, making it the first iron-slitting and rolling operation of its kind in Pennsylvania. The chapter also ties Thornbury to the Revolutionary War, especially the nearby Battle of the Brandywine and the Persifor Frazer story.
19th century growth
After the Revolution, milling and related industries expanded, including sawmills, forges, nail production, and later paper mills. The chapter notes that Glen Mills evolved from the old Sarum settlement and that the Chester Creek Historic District preserves much of this industrial history through mills, workersÕ houses, and ruins. Rail service later reinforced growth, with stations at Glen Mills, Locksley, and Cheyney helping support commerce and development.
Institutions and change
The township also developed important institutions, including churches, schools, and Cheyney University. Cheyney University is highlighted as a major African-American institution with an especially strong Colonial Revival campus core. By the 20th century, the economy shifted away from industry, mills declined, some rail service ended, quarries and later residential development grew, and former farmland increasingly gave way to suburban land uses.
† Adapted from the 2009 Thornbury Comprehensive Plan.
Nearby Towns: Aston Twp • Bethel Twp • Chadds Ford Twp • Chester Heights Boro • Concord Twp • East Goshen Twp • Edgmont Twp • Middletown Twp • Newtown Twp • Trainer Boro • Upper Chichester Twp • West Goshen Twp • Westtown Twp • Willistown Twp •