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Swarthmore Historical Society Archives

After the founding of Swarthmore College in 1864, a residential community and small business hub developed, centered on the College and the train station which was named Westdale until 1872. The Borough of Swarthmore was incorporated in 1893, and its history has since been intertwined with that of the College. Many of its citizens had close associations -- as graduates, employees, or members of the Quaker meeting -- on campus. 

The Swarthmore Historical Society was founded in 1988, and its collections were donated to Friends Historical Library in 1996.  Subsequently, the reference collection was merged with the relevant reference files and photographs in FHL to make the resources more accessible. 

Colored postcard of Crum Creek in Swarthmore in about 1920
Postcards of old Swarthmore
Colored postcard of the falls of Crum Creek in Swarthmore, ca. 1920
Postcards of old Swarthmore
Colored postcard of the covered bridge over Crum Creek looking toward Swarthmore, ca. 1920
Postcards of old Swarthmore
Colored postcard of the Strath Haven Inn in Swarthmore, ca. 1920
Postcards of old Swarthmore
Colored postcard of the Swarthmore train station, looking up to Parrish Hall on the Swarthmore College campus
Postcards of old Swarthmore
Colored postcard of "Michael's Corner" on South Chester Road in Swarthmore, before the underpass was built
Postcards of old Swarthmore
Postcards of old Swarthmore
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