[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  HONORING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHARTERING OF THE BOROUGH OF 
                               SOUDERTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHARLES W. DENT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2012

  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 125th Anniversary of 
the chartering of the borough of Souderton, Pennsylvania and to pay 
tribute to the many contributions its inhabitants have made to the 
cultural fabric of eastern Pennsylvania.
  Charted in 1887, Souderton's rich history actually began when the 
first inhabitants, the Lenni-Lenape or the Delaware Indians settled the 
area. They were some of the first native peoples to come in contact 
with Europeans in the early 1600's. The land that today comprises 
Souderton was originally purchased by William Penn from the Lenape. The 
first wave of European settlers were Welsh immigrants who gave 
Souderton the name of Welshtown. They were followed by German 
Mennonites in the early 1700's and by 1750 they would occupy most of 
the land. Some claim Souderton got its name from one of its early 
settlers, Henry O. Souder, but in fact the North Penn railroad company 
gave the location its name in 1863 to differentiate between the borough 
and the village of Soudersburg in Lancaster County.
  While established as primarily an agricultural community, the 
railroad's arrival in 1857 encouraged rapid growth in the community. 
Textile and cigar factories brought prosperity and new populations to 
the borough. The borough's initial bank, Univest Corp. of Pennsylvania, 
was established in 1876 and remains an active and vital part of the 
community today.
  When it was charted as a borough in 1877, Souderton had a population 
of 600 people. In 1879, the first church in the community, the 
Souderton Mennonite Meetinghouse, opened on Christmas Day, and the 
first school in Souderton opened its doors that following year. The 
population had tripled by 1910. Citizens were able to access the nearby 
bustling city of Philadelphia via railroad on the North Penn lines, 
while the nearby community of Perkasie was connected by the Liberty 
Bell Trolley service. The first automobile arrived in town on May 1st, 
1903, and residents soon began enjoying pleasant rides down Main 
Street, formerly known as Possum Lane. The borough's population doubled 
again by 1940. Following World War II, the demand for expensive labor 
in the textile industry declined but the community remained vibrant. 
Today, Souderton is mostly a quiet, family-oriented residential 
community.
  To commemorate their 125th Anniversary, Souderton borough is hosting 
a year-long celebration that has included a community clean up day, a 
parade and fireworks show, historical trolley tours, and a memorial 
picnic.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing 
the 125th Anniversary of the Borough of Souderton, Pennsylvania.

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