Audubon, Pennsylvania

Geobox Settlement
name = Audubon
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category = Census-designated place


image_size =
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flag_size =
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nickname =
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country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region_type = County
region = Montgomery
district_type = Township
district = Lower Providence
area_imperial = 4.5
area_land_imperial = 4.5
area_water_imperial = 0.04
area_water_percentage = auto
area_percentage_round = 2
area_round = 1
location =
lat_d = 40
lat_m = 07
lat_s = 51
lat_NS = N
long_d = 75
long_m = 25
long_s = 33
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 194
elevation_round = 1
population_as_of = 2000
population = 6549
population_density_imperial = 1461.1
population_density_round = 1
established_type =
established =
mayor =
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code =
postal_code_type =
area_code = 610
area_code_type =
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code2 =
free_type =
free =
free1_type =
free1 =


map_size =
map_caption = Location of Audubon in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map1 = Map of USA PA.svg
map1_caption = Location of Pennsylvania in the United States
website =

Audubon is a census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,549 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Audubon is located at coor dms|40|7|51|N|75|25|33|W|city (40.130948, -75.425742)GR|1in the township of Lower Providence.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.5 square miles (11.7 km²), of which, 4.5 square miles (11.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.44%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 6,549 people, 2,379 households, and 1,750 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,461.1 people per square mile (564.4/km²). There were 2,457 housing units at an average density of 548.1/sq mi (211.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.86% White, 4.35% African American, 0.05% Native American, 6.03% Asian, 1.28% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.03% of the population.

There were 2,379 households out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 107.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $70,527, and the median income for a family was $80,178. Males had a median income of $51,852 versus $35,965 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,144. About 3.1% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

History

Established in the early 1700s the villages of Lower Providence included: Evansburg, Shannonville (present day Audubon), Eagleville, and Providence Square. Lower Providence township as now constituted is bounded on the west by Upper Providence, on the northeast by Perkiomen and Worcester townships, on the southwest by Norriton, and on the south by the Schuylkill river. Its area is convert|9143|acre|km2. Red shale greatly predominates in the soils of this part of the county. Near the Perkiomen, at Oaks, at an early day lead mines were worked, but never to profit. The mines were opened in 1800, and were being operated in 1818 by Mr. Wetherell. With lead mining came the discovery of copper, and in January, 1848, the Perkiomen Mining Association was formed. The land cost about $10,000; much costly machinery was placed in position, and a shaft was sunk feet, There many thousands of tons of copper were taken from the earth, but later all was abandoned and the machinery rusted out with the passing years.

Shannonville was first so called in 1823, when a post office was established there. It was named for the large, influential family of Shannons near by. Jack's tavern (present day Audubon Inn) was at this point, and the place like its sister had a nickname - here it was "Hogtown." Mr. Shannon was a large swine farmer, and hence the wags called the plate Hogtown. But with a more dignified age, these rude names have been forgotten only by the very aged, who smile at hearing them mentioned.

Current day Audubon was christened in 1899 to honor its early-nineteenth century resident John James Audubon who resided at the estate of Mill Grove (located at Audubon and Pawlings Roads).

Local Landmarks

Audubon borders on the north side of the Schuylkill River Valley Forge National Historic Park, and is situated about convert|5|mi|km away from the King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest malls in the United States. Local landmarks include:

Mill Grove [http://pa.audubon.org/centers_mill_grove.html] - Built in 1762 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Mill Grove was the first American home of renowned artist, author and naturalist, John James Audubon. Between 1803 and 1806 Mill Grove and its surrounding fields and woodlands first inspired young Audubon's passion for painting and drawing birds. Today, the convert|175|acre|km2|sing=on estate remains largely as Audubon found it. It serves as an educational center of the National Audubon Society, dedicated to connecting people with nature. A haven for birds and wildlife, the property boasts more than seven miles (11 km) of trails and stunning views of the Perkiomen Creek. The historic three-story stone farmstone contains a museum displaying original Audubon prints, oil painting, and Audubon memorabilia.

Several years later, discouraged by disputes with partners and the failure of the lead mine on the property, Audubon sold Mill Grove and moved to Kentucky to seek his fortune as a frontier merchant. Mill Grove then became the property of Samuel Wetherill of Philadelphia who purchased the property in 1813. It remained in the family until Herbert J. Wetherill sold it in 1951 to Montgomery County. In April 2003 the National Audubon Society and Montgomery County signed an agreement creating the Mill Grove Audubon Center. The Center is managed by Audubon Pennsylvania, the state office of the National Audubon Society.

Walnut Hill (Pawlings Farm) - The land known as the Perkiomen Peninsula, and particularly the Pawling Farm, played anessential role in the Valley Forge winter encampment of 1777-1778. It provided strategicprotection for the camp; it was the site of the newly organized Commissary function that savedthe Continental Army from starvation; and it was the ultimate site of the encampment itselfbefore the army marched on to victory at Monmouth. Today the peninsula is a mix of habitats--open meadow, riparian and upland forest, wetlands andextensive vernal ponds. This is why the PawlingFarm lands provide the best wildlife habitat in theentire convert|3500|acre|km2|sing=on park. The park’s unpaved RiverTrail runs from the Pawling Bridge to Betzwood,and is a favorite of local residents. The pavedSchuylkill River Trail runs along the northern edgeof the Pawling Farm.

The American Revolution Center at Valley Forge (proposed) [http://www.americanrevolutioncenter.org/index.asp] - To be located off Pawlings Road west of Mill Grove will be the place where the spirit of the American Revolution lives. It will be the first museum dedicated to interpreting, honoring and celebrating the complete story of the entire American Revolution. The lives of the gender and ethnically diverse people who created the United States will be explored using the Center’s extraordinary collection of objects from the period of the American Revolution.

The Schuylkill River Trail - convert|13.5|mi|km|sing=on multiuse trail that runs from Philadelphia to Oaks. It was built on the Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way and parallels the scenic Schuylkill River as it passes through various townships and boroughs. The trail is a popular destination for biking, rollerblading, jogging, and walking. It is recognized as a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Trails System. Trailheads include Betzwood Park (parking/restrooms), Pawlings Road (parking), Mill Grove and the Upper Providence Park (parking/restrooms) off Rt. 422 and Egypt Road in Oaks.

Perkiomen Trail - The convert|19|mi|km|sing=on scenic Perkiomen Trail runs through the Perkiomen Creek Valley from its junction with the Schuylkill River Trail at Oaks, Upper Providence Township, to the Green Lane Park, the largest county park. Most of the trail is a convert|10|ft|m|sing=on-wide cinder or stone aggregate (unpaved) surface with grass shoulders. Selected sections are paved where deemed appropriate. The trail is popular with walkers, joggers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, and equestrians. The trail, developed on a former railroad bed, follows the Perkiomen Creek and connects three county parks (Lower Perkiomen Valley Park, Central Perkiomen Valley Park, and Green Lane Park) and two county historic sites (Mill Grove at Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary and Pennypacker Mills). It passes directly through ten municipalities, making connections to numerous municipal parks and open spaces along the scenic waterway. It provides access to Valley Forge National Historical Park via its connection to the Schuylkill River Trail extension.

Audubon Elementary School [http://www.methacton.org/audubones/site/default.asp] - Located roughly in the center of Audubon, Audubon Elementary school was decommissioned from the late 1980s until the mid 1990's. During that interim period, it housed the town library and a YMCA. In the mid 1990's, it underwent extensive renovation and was reopened to coincide with a large housing boom in the area. On the corner of its property, there is a tree that is at least two centuries old.

The Club at Shannondell (formerly General Washington Golf and Swim Club) - Leased from Lower Providence Township by Shannondell Retiement Services around the year 2000; this 18-hole championship golf course features convert|6122|yd of golf from the tips for a par of 70. The course rating is 69.9 and it has a slope rating of 121 on Rye grass. General Washington golf course opened in 1965. The facility also includes a family-oriented swim club and upscale family-dining restaurant.

Audubon Inn - This large colonial-era structure is located at the corner of Park Avenue and Egypt Roads and its proposed demolition was a subject of dispute in a 2005 Township rezoning hearing. Currently it houses a law firm, though in the past is has served as a restaurant, and inn.

Bud's Bar - Originally the Shannonville Hotel, and served for some time as the Post Office for the community, is located on the opposite corner as the Audubon Inn and likely built around the same time, Bud's Bar closed in 2007.

"Shannondell at Valley Forge" - a retirement communitiy built in 2002, is now the largest landmark in town.

References