Yardley



Yardley is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. There are many things to do even though it is small and the attractions are a few car rides away. The area is friendly and safe with a lot of historical sites to visit. There is little congestion on the streets and is very quiet. It is known for a good school district and a reputation for welcoming visitors to the community.

Understand
Yardley was founded by William Yardley, who immigrated to America in July, 1682 with his family. He made an agreement with William Penn, before leaving England, to buy 500 acres for ten pounds. A survey was completed in October 1682, and the area William Yardley settled was called "Prospect Farm." It was just outside of the present Yardley Borough. William Yardley died in 1693, and his family in 1702-1703, possibly of smallpox.

A nephew, Thomas Yardley, came to America in 1704 to settle the estate and never returned to England. He opened a ferry line which started operating in 1710 from Letchworth Avenue, the lower boundary of the village, and landed in New Jersey further downstream. This was an important link between West Jersey and the three roads leading to Philadelphia by way of Falls, Langhorne and Newtown. The Yardley family occupied the land for more than 150 years.

When Yardley was founded there were already small settlements at nearby Burlington, Bristol, and Falls Ferry.

Yardley began to develop into a village about 1807, and by 1880 had a population of 820. Early industries included a spoke and handle factory, sawmill, felloe factory, plate and plaster mill, and two flour mills. The first post office, established in 1828, used the name "Yardleyville." The name became "Yardley" again at the time the Reading Railroad came through the area in 1876.

During the American Civil War, Yardley was a station for the Underground Railroad, an escape route for slaves. Known hiding places were under the eaves of the Continental Hotel (now the Continental Tavern), in bins of warehouses on the Delaware Canal (completed in 1862), and at the General Store (now Worthington Insurance). At Lakeside, the yellow house facing Lake Afton on N. Main St., one brick-walled cellar room is also thought to have been a hiding place.

Yardley Borough was incorporated on March 4, 1895.

The Train Collectors Association, which now boasts worldwide membership of 30,000 individuals, was founded in Yardley in 1954.

Get in
The two main ways to get into Yardley are by train (SEPTA) and car.

By train, the West Trenton Regional Rail through SEPTA.

By car, travel westbound on I-295 from Trenton, NJ and northbound on I-95 to I-295 from Philadelphia.

Get around
Cars are the most common mode of transportation in Yardley; however due to its relatively small size, walking and biking are also options.

See

 * September 11th Memorial - The newly constructed memorial is located off of Main Street in the Borough. This memorial includes a winding driveway leading up to a circular cement pathway which encases the five fountains in the middle. Names of the deceased from the area are engraved in a marble structure. Also featured in the memorial is a bathroom, pavilion and grills for picnics, and basketball courts.
 * September 11th Memorial - The newly constructed memorial is located off of Main Street in the Borough. This memorial includes a winding driveway leading up to a circular cement pathway which encases the five fountains in the middle. Names of the deceased from the area are engraved in a marble structure. Also featured in the memorial is a bathroom, pavilion and grills for picnics, and basketball courts.

Other attractions can be found in nearby New Hope and Doylestown.

Do

 * Lower Makefield Township park - By the free library and police station, the LMT park is a popular place for families in the area. The LMT community pool features four pools: a toddler pool with the water about ankle deep with a fountain in the middle, a kiddie pool, about 4 ft deep, the general pool that features a slide, two diving boards, and a high dive, and the racing pool which features buoys for races and practice. Also in the park is Kid's Kingdom, a community built wooden playground which rests on mulch for safe play. The park also includes two pavilions with 6 grills for picnics, two basketball courts, and four tennis courts, all under bright lights which can be turned on manually for safe recreation.
 * Yardley Community Day takes place in the LMT park and includes many different activities for residents during the month of September. Activities include a battle of the bands, face painting, mini-games for kids, and a fireworks show at night.
 * Harvest Day- During the fall season, the Yardley Borough closes down Main Street in order to hold this annual festival. Local vendors set up booths down the street and showcase a variety of goods including crafts and games. Free food is usually provided as well as live enterntainment.
 * Macclesfield Park- A huge sprawling field located off of River road, Macclesfield Park features four large soccer fields, three pavilions, and a sand volleyball court.
 * Yardley Country Club- The local golf club features a huge landscape which includes lakes and streams throughout the course. It is also a local sledding spot due to the large and steep hills that get icy during the winter.
 * Macclesfield Park- A huge sprawling field located off of River road, Macclesfield Park features four large soccer fields, three pavilions, and a sand volleyball court.
 * Yardley Country Club- The local golf club features a huge landscape which includes lakes and streams throughout the course. It is also a local sledding spot due to the large and steep hills that get icy during the winter.

Buy

 * McCaffrey's Super Market- The locally owned supermarket of the area offering reasonable prices in the strip mall on Oxford Valley Road. Once burned down, the new McCaffrey's has been restored and includes a downstairs and upstairs eat-in area as well as a Romper Room for kids to play while adults shop. McCaffrey's also features a Wine & Spirits Shoppe. Other shops in the strip mall include Rite Aid, Villa Rosa Pizza, Dry Cleaners, Charming Garden, Caribbean Tans, and a travel agency.
 * Giant Super Market- A grocery store chain in the same strip mall as McCaffrey's on Oxford Valley Road. Slightly lower prices but lacks the Romper Room and eat-in area.
 * Shoprite- A chain grocery store on Big Oak Road. Other shops in the strip mall include Hair Cuttery, Carlucci's Express, Carlucci's Grill, Baskin Robbins, Hallmark Gifts, Endurance Sports, PNC bank, Starbucks, and Kohl's.
 * Shoprite- A chain grocery store on Big Oak Road. Other shops in the strip mall include Hair Cuttery, Carlucci's Express, Carlucci's Grill, Baskin Robbins, Hallmark Gifts, Endurance Sports, PNC bank, Starbucks, and Kohl's.

Eat
The choices of where to eat are endless and most of the restaurants in Yardley are non-chain.


 * Yardley Ice House- A tradition for families in the area, The Yardley Ice House is off of Main Street in Yardley Borough. Both stock and seasonal flavors are all made in the store.
 * Yardley Ice House- A tradition for families in the area, The Yardley Ice House is off of Main Street in Yardley Borough. Both stock and seasonal flavors are all made in the store.
 * Yardley Ice House- A tradition for families in the area, The Yardley Ice House is off of Main Street in Yardley Borough. Both stock and seasonal flavors are all made in the store.
 * Yardley Ice House- A tradition for families in the area, The Yardley Ice House is off of Main Street in Yardley Borough. Both stock and seasonal flavors are all made in the store.
 * Yardley Ice House- A tradition for families in the area, The Yardley Ice House is off of Main Street in Yardley Borough. Both stock and seasonal flavors are all made in the store.
 * Yardley Ice House- A tradition for families in the area, The Yardley Ice House is off of Main Street in Yardley Borough. Both stock and seasonal flavors are all made in the store.

Go next

 * Newtown. A part of Bucks County and not far from Yardley. There are community attractions such as fairs and fundraisers, stores and shopping plazas,and fine dining.
 * Doylestown. There are unique shops and restaurants. It is like a small town and a very friendly environment.
 * New Hope. A very eclectic town and also where some motor cyclists go on weekends. It has very unique retail stores selling crafts, clothing, knick-knacks, jewelry, leather goods, art, and more. There are also fine dining and casual restaurants, bars, and theater. Off of Main Street you will find beautiful, winding, country roads and views of the Delaware River.
 * Langhorne, home of Sesame Place: a big theme park focused on children that has fun rides, games, waterslides, shows, and furry friends that everyone knows from the hit TV series Sesame Street. It is about 13 minutes away from the center of Yardley. The park is not opened year-round and is extremely busy during late spring to summer.