Perkasie, Telford, and Sellersville have a number of neat historical remnants. All of these places were essentially railroad towns that blossomed with the completion of the North Pennsylvania Railroad/Reading Railroad. The line was started in Philadelphia in 1852, and was completed to Bethlehem in 1857. It was originally planned to be built all the way through to the New York Line, but ended up connecting with the Lehigh Valley Railroad in Bethlehem to fulfill those ambitions. This connection with the LVRR made the railroad a prime route for Philadelphia honeymooners heading to Niagara Falls. It also created a competing route to New York City for people from Philadelphia. Industry sprang up all around the line, including the famous Bethlehem Steel Company, American Olean Tile, which had kilns in both Lansdale and Quakertown, and more. The main line now ends in Quakertown, with right-of-way from there to Bethlehem being either abandoned or replaced with the
Saucon Rail Trail. The right-of-way between Quakertown and Lansdale is used for freight by the East Penn Railroad, and the Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad. The line from Lansdale to Philadelphia is utilized by SEPTA for passenger rail. Since passenger rail ceased to the Lehigh Valley in 1982, plans have continually been floated to reintroduce SEPTA passenger rail to the full line.
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The Sellersville station dates back to 1902 and displays the classic tan brick style that the Reading Railroad was known for. Telford, Perkasie, and Quakertown are also home to old train stations. |
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Downtown Sellersville |
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The South Perkasie Covered Bridge dates back to 1832 and is the oldest covered bridge in Bucks County, and one of the oldest in the state and the world. It is a 93 foot long town truss bridge that was saved from demolition in 1958. It was reconstructed for preservation and as an anchor attraction at Lenape Park. |
Perkasie is a place that really treasures its public parks and heritage.
Menlo Park was once a small amusement park, and it still has an old Herschell carousel in operation, along with a swimming area. Overall, these are two small boroughs that have many neat historical remnants.
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