The Poor Richard Club was a private club in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , whose members were mostly members of the advertising industry. The club bestowed an annual Gold Medal of Achievement to several celebrities, including several U.S. Presidents.
31-495: The club was founded in 1906 with 75 members, just a year after a similar club opened in New York. The advertising industry was on a quest for more respectability, and the clubs were created as a way to promote and enforce ethical guidelines. Nevertheless, they functioned largely as places to nurture business, social, and political relationships. The first president was Thomas Martindale , a local grocer and importer. The following year,
62-559: A humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ) and the hardiness zone is 7a. Average monthly temperatures in the vicinity of the library range from 32.6 °F (0.3 °C) in January to 77.7 °F (25.4 °C) in July. As of 2010 census, the racial makeup of the township was 93.4% White , 1.7% African American , 0.1% Native American , 3.8% Asian , 0.2% from other races , and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of
93-556: A retail establishment but also had a substantial wholesale business, including imported tea. In 1916, he was one of the largest importers of teas in the United States. In 1883, Martindale teamed up with William Johnson to open a new grocery store called "Martindale and Johnson" in Philadelphia. They sold liquor in custom decorative whiskey jugs called "Hunter Jugs" produced for their business. Martindale and Johnson stopped producing
124-445: A unique corridor that is essentially a compact commercial strip that cuts directly through bedroom communities on both sides. Residents are currently attempting to undo the emblematic effects of urban sprawl along the mile through the implementation of green initiatives, responsible traffic planning, and zoning improvements. In the past century, all of Springfield's farmland was slowly bought up by developers who turned Springfield into
155-621: Is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km ), or 0.28%, is water. The northeastern border of the township is formed by Darby Creek , and the western border is formed by Crum Creek , both of which flow south to the Delaware River . Note that there are multiple Springfield townships in Pennsylvania (e.g., in Bucks County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and in York County). Springfield has
186-622: Is listed as part of the Powelton Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places since 1985. Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania Springfield Township , or simply Springfield , is a township in Delaware County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania . The population was 25,070 at the 2020 census. Springfield is a suburb of Philadelphia , located about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of
217-902: Is not to be confused with the Springfield Township School District , which is located in Springfield Township , Montgomery County . Public Schools: Families in Springfield Township could choose to send their children to Swarthmore High , Lansdowne High School , and/or Media High School prior to the 1931 establishment of Springfield High School. Private / Parochial schools : St. Kevin School, another Catholic grade school, operated from 1967 until 2011. The archdiocese closed it due to declining enrollment despite advocacy from community members to keep it open. It had 158 students in spring 2011, with parents stating that
248-564: The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial , built in 1933. On January 17, 1956, the club held their 50th anniversary dinner at The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel and honored then Vice President Richard Nixon with the Gold Medal of Achievement. The club had over 600 members in the 1930s, but membership declined in the 1970s. The Locust Street building was sold in 1979, and the club disbanded a few years later. The club's major event
279-544: The age of eight he moved to the United States with his family. Martindale founded a grocery store in Oil City, Pennsylvania in 1869, and eventually expanded. Some sources state he co-owned the first grocery store in Oil City in 1869, but then bought out his partner. Six years later he established a second store in Philadelphia. The store advertising included educational and instructional content. His grocery store operated as
310-707: The archives of the Heritage Society of Springfield, and the Springfield Township Public Library (a member of the Delaware County Library System ). Springfield has three sister cities, Lisbon, Portugal, Lima, Peru, and Vancouver, Canada. As of 2018, there were 84.34 miles (135.73 km) of public roads in Springfield Township, of which 16.80 miles (27.04 km) were maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 67.54 miles (108.70 km) were maintained by
341-410: The average family size was 3.14. In the township, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males. The median income for a household in the township
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#1732850981209372-401: The beginning of the 20th century, Springfield's Baltimore Pike had become one of the busiest commercial areas outside of Philadelphia. The long, straight stretch of Baltimore Pike in the township was referred to as "The Golden Mile", commonly known for its many automobile dealerships. Baltimore Pike remains true to its history with many dealerships lining the side of the road. The Golden Mile is
403-578: The city. It became famous due to the American Animated TV Sitcom " The Simpsons " Springfield is located in eastern Delaware County at 39°55′37″N 75°20′7″W / 39.92694°N 75.33528°W / 39.92694; -75.33528 (39.926961, -75.335231). According to the United States Census Bureau , the township has a total area of 6.34 square miles (16.42 km ), of which 6.32 square miles (16.37 km )
434-401: The club purchased a large Victorian house at 239–241 Camac Street, where their weekly lunches and monthly dinners were held. By 1911, membership had grown to 350. In 1916, the club published "Poor Richard's Dictionary of Philadelphia", an informative, sometimes humorous, guide to all aspects of the city, including historical landmarks, businesses, churches, hotels, hospitals, and clubs. The book
465-536: The first natural foods store in the United States. He might be one of the best known grocers in the United States, and in his local city of Philadelphia. Martindale was an advocate of health foods and physical activity, who also supported infrastructure investments and innovations. Thomas Martindale was born in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (now England) in 1845, and spent early years in Canada. At
496-547: The liquor jugs in 1920 during prohibition , and they are now collectibles . Martindale served as the Poor Richard Club 's first president, and was a founder of the Philadelphia Trades League . A Strawbridge and Clothier publishing department had published his book, Royal Sport, I Warrant You (1897) and the book was displayed it amongst his "hunting trophies" in the department store window. Martindale
527-675: The number scheduled to attend in the fall of that year was over 130 while the archdiocese stated that number was 93. It was one of three Catholic schools in Delaware County to close at that time. First settled by Quakers who arrived in Pennsylvania with William Penn , Springfield was first recognized as a governmental entity in 1686. Many of the streets in Springfield are named after former prominent citizens, including Kennerly, Lownes, Levis, Maris, Thomas, Beatty, Lewis, Foulke, Evans, Powell, Pancoast, Worrell, and Edge. Originally, Springfield
558-571: The population. As of the 2000 census, there were 23,677 people, 8,618 households, and 6,790 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,723.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,437.5/km ). There were 8,800 housing units at an average density of 1,383.7 units per square mile (534.2 units/km ). The racial makeup of the township was 94.6% White , 0.5% African American , 0.05% Native American , 4.2% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.12% from other races , and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of
589-408: The population. There were 8,618 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and
620-449: The same. While all resemble each other with their stone fronts and common size, additional luxuries such as porches and window placement were available for purchase to make each one slightly individualized. Though all of the farmland of Springfield's past is gone, many of the woods and fields of the past still remain standing today in some of the many parks located throughout the community. The bulk of Springfield's history lies recorded in
651-560: The town it is today, that is, largely comprising developments of standard suburban single-family homes. One of the largest single developments was the Stoney Creek development. Construction began in 1949 and was completed in only five years. The huge development stretched from West Avenue to Providence Road and ran all the way up to Baltimore Pike. Over 75 homes were constructed in the development. Similar to most housing developments of their time, no two houses in Stoney Creek were built exactly
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#1732850981209682-460: The township and offering connections to 69th Street Transportation Center and other suburbs. SEPTA Regional Rail 's Media/Wawa Line passes through the southern portion of Springfield Township, with the nearest stations at Swarthmore and Morton . The township is home to Springfield Mall , a 590,000-square-foot (55,000 m ), two-level shopping mall. One of the first of several suburban locations of Strawbridge & Clothier , opened in 1964,
713-551: The township to the east of I-476. Finally, Pennsylvania Route 420 begins at PA 320 south of US 1 and heads southeastward along Woodland Avenue through central and southeastern portions of the township. SEPTA operates public transportation in Springfield Township. SEPTA's light rail Media–Sharon Hill Line between 69th Street Transportation Center and Media serves the township with multiple stations. SEPTA provides Suburban Bus service to Springfield Township along routes 107 , 109 , 110 , and 111 , serving points of interest in
744-405: The township. Interstate 476 is the most prominent highway traversing Springfield Township, brushing the western edge of the township on a north–south alignment. U.S. Route 1 follow State Road along a southwest–northeast alignment through the northern portion of the township. Pennsylvania Route 320 follows Chester Road and Sproul Road along a north–south alignment across the western portion of
775-496: Was $ 89,019, and the median income for a family was $ 103,424. Males had a median income of $ 64,830 versus $ 50,651 for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 35,231. About 1.7% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over. Students in Springfield Township attend schools in the Springfield School District . This
806-557: Was active in political issues facing grocers, such as a proposed bill requiring products be sold by weights and measures in 1911. He died on a hunting expedition in British Columbia. A Martindale's Natural Market store in Springfield, Pennsylvania was founded in 1971, and continues in existence. The Martindale family maintained a presence at the store until 1991. Martindale's former home at 413–415 33rd Street in Philadelphia
837-437: Was its annual banquet, at which the members presented an annual award for public service. Among the recipients of the club's Gold Medal of Achievement were: Thomas Martindale Thomas Martindale (1845–1916) was an English-born American merchant, grocer, tea importer, and author. He founded Martindale and Johnson Thomas Martindale Company , and Martindale's Natural Markets , his stores are thought to be
868-473: Was located in Springfield. The old Strawbridge & Clothier has since been reconstructed into a Target . Catholic churches in Springfield Township include Holy Cross Church, St. Francis of Assisi Church, and St. Kevin Church. In 2014 the archdiocese asked the churches to produce documents about their future viability as other Delaware County Catholic churches had closed permanently around that time period. In 2015
899-634: Was presented to Associated Advertising Clubs of the World members who attended the annual meeting held at the Poor Richard Club House. In 1925, the club moved to the Dr. Joseph Leidy House , 1319 Locust Street , which they shared with the Charles Morris Price School of Advertising and Journalism , founded by members of the club in 1920. The club was instrumental in proposing, funding, and raising
930-497: Was primarily a farming town. On December 9, 1687, the settlers began laying the road to Amosland as it was then called. This road is now known as Springfield Road. In 1701 construction began on the Baltimore Pike; the road was formed of sturdy oak planks, some of which still exist under the current Baltimore Pike. 1701 also marked the year that construction began on the first Quaker meeting house. The meeting house burned in 1737 and
961-569: Was rebuilt. The current meeting house that stands in its spot was constructed in 1851. By the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, it is estimated from tax records that about 300 people resided in Springfield. By the 19th century, Springfield had become more industrialized. Taking advantage of its many creeks for power, the inhabitants erected many mills. Well-known mill owners included William Fell, Samuel Pancoast, William Beatty, Samuel Levis, and Moses and Emanuel Hey. At