Montgomery, Pennsylvania
Early 19th Century Transportation Developments Leading to the Incorporation of Bridgeport in 1851
In 1849, Norristown was the most developed “town” in the Montgomery / Chester / Delaware County areas (as seen on this map), but it was a decision made by Norristown’s residents c. 1816 that became one of three major influences on the growth of Bridgeport in the mid-1800s. The Schuylkill Navigation Company located on Barbadoes Island, proposed building a canal on the north side of the river’s edge, within Norristown’s boundaries. The residents and leadership at the time rejected the offer, so the decision was made to construct the canal across the river in the area that was to be Bridgeport. This portion of the canal was completed in 1816. This brought goods such as flour, grain, wood, whiskey, hogs, iron and coal – many necessities of the day – into town. Eventually, Bridgeport would become a chief textile center in the area, particularly in the area of wool production and woolen goods.
The next major factor positively affecting the growth of Bridgeport was the building of a wooden bridge in 1830, across the Schuylkill River to DeKalb Street in Norristown. Up to this time, people were hesitant to build homes or establish businesses in Bridgeport because they could not safely and dependably cross the river all year round, especially in wintertime. Because Norristown was an older and more established town, it was deemed necessary to have the convenient access a bridge would bring. The building of the Norristown Bridge also inspired the state legislature to map out a major roadway from New Hope to West Chester, utilizing the bridge. This was the future Rt. 202, completed in 1831. This provided the residents of Bridgeport with expanded trade and business opportunities.
The third contribution to the development of Bridgeport was the construction of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, running along the northern boundary of the town, following the path of the Schuylkill River (as indicated on the map). Train traffic began moving through town in 1839 and gave Bridgeport more convenient access to both Philadelphia and Reading, two of the larger cities in eastern Pennsylvania in the 19th century. As a result of being the at the center of these three major advances in early transportation, more and more people were able to find jobs, build homes and establish businesses in a small area, once a part of Ammasland, but soon to be called Bridgeport.
Interesting Facts Surrounding the Incorporation of Bridgeport in 1851
- Bridgeport was so named for its proximity to the Norristown “Bridge”, and due to the Schuylkill Canal making the area a destination “Port”.
- In 1849, the number of homes in Bridgeport as 96; and in 1851 the population was 572.
- Although this map is dated 1849, we have outlined the future (approximate) boundaries of Bridgeport in red, as published in the History of Montgomery County (1859).
- First Chief Burgess (Mayor): Washington Richards
- First Borough Council members: Cadwallader Evans, Owen Raysor, Jacob M, Hurst, Francis Lyle, D. Harp Major
- We have also identified significant landowners and landmarks important to Bridgeport’s growth and development:
1. Cadwallader Evans owned land near the mouth of the canal and the bridge. He offered a portion to the Schuylkill Navigation Co. for the canal, and later his property line was used as one of the borough’s boundaries. The area of town where he lived was unofficially called “Evansville” by some local residents, in honor of Cadwallader’s father Elisha Evans, another important figure in
2. H. Novioch owned land just south of the P & R Railroad, on which a hotel was eventually built.
3. The property line between John Coates and Lindsay Coats (#4) was identified as one of the boundary points just over the Flint Hill. From there, the boundary moved east towards the land of Samuel Coates.
4. Lindsay Coates – see above
5. The Schuylkill Navigation Co. owned land adjacent to Cadwallader Evans, and the dividing line between the two properties was a public road which became the borough’s western border.
6. DeKalb Street (and future State Route 202) – completed on the Bridgeport side in 1831 (as indicated above).
