[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10839]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  300TH ANNIVERSARY OF UWCHLAN TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 29, 2012

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Uwchlan 
Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania on its 300th anniversary.
  Founded by Welsh Quakers in the late 17th century, the first European 
inhabitants called the area ``Uwchlan,'' meaning ``upland'' in Welsh. 
In 1712, Uwchlan was established as a township, having grown up around 
ancient Native American trails that today are part of South Village 
Avenue and Dowlin Forge Road.
  Uwchlan existed principally as a rural, farming community well into 
the 20th century. The end of World War II brought about new changes as 
suburban developments gradually began replacing farms. A census taken 
in 1973 counted 6,616 residents, up from about only 500 in 1920. Three 
hundred years after its establishment as a township, the most recent 
census presents a robust population of 18,088.
  While Uwchlan Township has changed a great deal since its 
establishment 300 years ago, it still retains much of the charm from 
its historic past. Now pre-Revolutionary farmhouses stand in close 
proximity to modern business parks. Today, Uwchlan Township and its 
citizens continue to make valuable contributions to the quality of the 
economic and social life of Chester County while preserving the rich 
and storied heritage of their past.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in congratulating 
Uwchlan Township and its remarkable history on the occasion of its 
300th anniversary and to extend best wishes for the Township's 
continued prosperity and longevity.

                          ____________________