100 YEARS AGO – 1908

A big building boom has hit the rapidly growing borough of Morton and 12 stores and dwellings, a hall and a new church will be erected soon
.Several thousand people, among them prominent men and women of other cities, assembled on the ground of the Pennsylvania Military College in Chester to witness the military maneuvers prior to the closing exercises of the school for the summer.

Young people connected with St. Michael’s Church in Chester began rehearsing for a series of minstrel shows in the school hall. All who attend the shows are promised a period of keen pleasure.

75 YEARS AGO – 1933

Dr. Detley W. Bronk of Swarthmore has purchased Sycamore Hills, the 57-acre estate of Thomas H. Wittkorn. The property is familiar to fox hunters of the Rose Tree Hunt and extends about one-half mile along the wooded slopes of Ridley Creek below Sycamore Mills Road. It is protected on the upper side by a portion of the 50-acre Painter Arboretum and is adjacent to the country estates of William H. Newlin, Walter Jeffords, Shirley Borden and Samuel Rhoades.

50 YEARS AGO – 1958

Mr. and Mrs. Calvin W. Jones, formerly of Chester, entertained 60 friends and relatives at a housewarming at their new residence, 136 President Ave., Rutledge. Earlier in the month the couple celebrated a seventh wedding anniversary.
Airman 3C William L. Blundin, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Blundin of 408 Holmes Road, Morton, has been commended by officers at Dover Air Force Base, Del., for his prompt action in extinguishing a refueling unit fire.Leon M. Mielcarek Jr., son of Dr. and Mrs. Leon M. Mielcarek, 1003 Highland Ave., Chester, has graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He will attend medical college this fall.

25 YEARS AGO – 1983

Darby Township residents in the Third Ward have asked the township commissioners to take care of a persistent rat problem along Hopkins Street. One resident found her dog had a rat clenched between his teeth in the backyard.Two Delaware County high school students have been selected to attend “an experience in government’’ program at Millersville State College. They are Patricia Ann Messina of Tinicum and Nancy Weaver. Both attend Interboro High School.

10 YEARS AGO – 1998

Delaware County Memorial Hospital’s Healthlife Department is sponsoring a CPR heart-saver program at the Medical Office Building. Advance registration is required.

— LEN CASTERLINE

To contact Len Casterline,

e-mail: lencas1038@verizon.net

or lencas1038@yahoo.com

or call (610) 565-4298