Main Line proper is a line of communities extending northwest from the City of Philadelphia. From Philadelphia, the stations on what is now referred to as the R5 train line are: Overbrook,[3] Merion, Narberth, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford and Bryn Mawr. The other rail line communities are outside the traditional Main Line and sometimes considered the Upper Main Line: Rosemont, Villanova, Radnor, St. Davids, Wayne, Strafford, Devon, Berwyn, Daylesford, Paoli, and Malvern. In recent years, the R5 train service has extended to the west of Paoli. Some communities, most notably Gladwyne, Bala Cynwyd, and Penn Valley, are included in what is commonly accepted as the Main Line, as they are typical Main Line communities, are adjacent to Main Line towns. Neither, however, is located on the rail line for which the area is named and therefore they may be considered culturally rather than geographically on the Main Line. The Main Line is a beautiful place to live no matter where you think it stops. What we do know is that in the early to mid-1800's a train line was planned and built to begin in Philadelphia and end in Pittsburgh Homes and estates sprung up along the "Main Line" of the railroad from the 1870's to the 1930's at the time of the depression. The great Philadelphia families started buying large farms and estates from Bryn Mawr to Radnor. Some even went further west. Today, living along the Main Line is still prestigious. Some of the large estates and parcels of ground still exist but more and more of the McMansions have moved in and large parcels have been developed.
The Main Line is a large geographical area with several towns where you’ll find homes that meet almost any criteria–old stone mansions, Victorians, two story colonials, split levels, cape cods, new construction and many more. These homes can be bought in a variety of towns along the Main Line. You just need to know which ones and where your family should buy a new home. |