Electrical Service in Souderton, Pennsylvania

Souderton occupies a land that was historically inhabited by the Lenni Lenape for thousands of years. The first Welsh settlers, John Mathias and Thomas Morgan, established their settlement in the vicinity around 1710, near the intersection of School Lane and Chestnut Street where Souderton stands today. The town was originally named Welshtown, because of its Welsh influence.

The first person to own land in what is now Souderton was a man by the name of George Stuart. He built a log cabin in or around what is now known as West Street Park. Stuart owned many acres and began selling them off in tracts. In 1734, he sold 1,000 acres to George Cressman, which eventually became the Borough of Souderton.[3] This parcel of land was approximately bounded by what are now Reliance Road, County Line Road, Cherry Lane, and Cowpath Road.[4]

In 1755, 225 acres were sold to German immigrant Johannes 'John' Benner.[5] He constructed a log residence approximately 200 feet from a stream that flows into the Skippack Creek.[6]

In 1835, Henry O. Souder and his spouse Hannah established their initial homestead situated at the intersection of present-day Main and Chestnut Streets.[7] Souder, known for his entrepreneurial spirit, also possessed a lumber mill located on Main Street. The name Souderton is prefigured in a map of 1847 as Souder's Lumberyard, as Henry had own a lumber mill located on main street.[8]

Souderton initially flourished as an agricultural community, primarily focused on farming activities. However, the introduction of the railroad facilitated the borough's expansion, fostering both industrial growth and community development. Industries such as textiles and cigar manufacturing contributed to Souderton's prosperity and population increase. Several major cigar manufacturers established factories in the area during this period.

On June 6, 1887, residents of Souderton applied for a charter of incorporation to the Montgomery County Court. The charter was granted on December 15, 1887. At the time of incorporation, the population was about 600.[9]

The Souderton Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

Souderton is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,246 in 2022 according to the Census Bureau.

Souderton formerly hosted the end of the annual Bucks County Classic, a professional bicycle race.

Source: Wikipedia