Sellersville is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania , United States. The population was 4,249 at the 2010 census . It is in the Pennridge School District .
41-473: Sellersville was founded in the early 18th century. It was centered on a major road known as Bethlehem Pike that connected Philadelphia to Bethlehem and the rest of what was then Western Pennsylvania . The town was very small and was called Sellers Tavern. Its most notable feature was a large inn . The present Washington House in Sellersville, however, was not Sellers Tavern. The town grew slowly over
82-583: A Native American pathway known as the Minsi Trail . Named after the Minsi Indians , the trail was routed between the Blue Mountains and the lands to the south. In December 1740, David Nitschmann and his party went to Bethlehem and Nazareth along the trail. A year later, in 1741, a second party joined the first, traversing the same pathway. Nicolaus Zinzendorf was included in
123-501: A branch from Telford to Quakertown along the former SEPTA tracks. Sellersville station currently serves as borough offices. PPL Corporation in Allentown provides electricity to Sellersville. Natural gas service in Sellersville is provided by UGI Utilities . The North Penn Water Authority provides water to Sellersville, having taken over the borough's water system in 2011. The borough provides sewer service, with sewage treated at
164-487: A lack of use by 1940. FBI agents were reported to have been watching the club grounds and visitors were reported to have covered their license plates in order to avoid being identified as a Bund member. In September 1939, shortly after the start of World War II , the leader of German American Bund, Fritz Julius Kuhn, gave a speech to gathered members of the German American Bund and associated groups such as
205-690: A member of the Colonial assembly . They camped at Seller's Tavern in present-day Sellersville . In 1804, the route became a toll road known as the Bethlehem Turnpike. Tolls were voluntary only during morning hours. On March 11, 1834, Pennsylvania governor George Wolf signed a license authorizing the Bethlehem Turnpike Road Company to erect many of its gates. The turnpike was authorized to collect tolls from travelers on horses, cattle, and carriages. In 1910,
246-517: A newly constructed freeway, bypassing Sellersville , and west of the Bethlehem Pike. Six years later, in 1976, Interstate 378 was deleted and PA 191 was truncated, and their former alignments were designated as Pennsylvania Route 378 . In the 21st century, Bethlehem Pike is mostly designated as Pennsylvania Route 309 in the Lehigh and Delaware Valleys . In Philadelphia , the road
287-532: A popular live music venue. The creek is still dammed but only the carousel in Perkasie remains of the amusements. The textile industry has long moved out of the area and Sellersville has become mainly a residential town for people working in the many urban centers that are only a short commute away. Grand View Hospital, Bucks County ’s first hospital, has provided residents of Bucks and Montgomery counties with comprehensive healthcare services since 1913. The town
328-399: A portion of the road was designated as Pennsylvania Route 191 , when it replaced the entire routing of PA 12. North of Philadelphia , US 309 was designated on the newly built Fort Washington Expressway, east of the original alignment on the Bethlehem Pike. By 1970, US 309 was deleted and replaced by Pennsylvania Route 309 . Following the commission of the route, PA 309 was moved to
369-631: A project to improve the Bethlehem Pike within the township and estimated to cost $ 500,000. Teller Cigar Factory The Teller Cigar Factory , also known as the Sprecht Clothing Company , is an historic, American factory building that is located in Sellersville , Bucks County, Pennsylvania . It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. The original section of this historic structure
410-418: A small body of water known as Lake Lenape. Along the length of the lake a park was built on Perkasie and Sellersville lands. In the 1920s and 1930s this park housed a carousel, a roller coaster and several other amusements. The railroad brought hundreds of people from Philadelphia in the summer time, and it became a well known vacation spot for blue collar city workers. In August 1938, Deutschhorst Country Club,
451-560: A summer retreat created by the German American Bund , a Pro-Nazi organization moved to the area after purchasing a 40-acre ranch outside of the town. The group used the area as a summer camp where family functions and activities were pursued in addition to political rallies. As World War II approached, the club sought to distance itself several times from the Nazi cause in local newspapers and was reported as "almost abandoned" from
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#1732776309621492-525: Is a historic 42.21 mi (67.93 km) long road in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that connects Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania . It began as a Native American path called the Minsi Trail which developed into a colonial highway called the King's Road in the 1760s. Most of the route later became part of U.S. Route 309 , now Pennsylvania Route 309 . The Bethlehem Pike originated from
533-466: Is signed as SR 4017, with a daily traffic of 15,000 vehicles. The pike is routed as SR 2018 in Montgomery County , while parallel to PA 309. North of Fort Washington , the road is known as PA 309, with an average of 17,000 to 21,000 vehicles a day. In Sellersville , the pike is signed as SR 4013, south of PA 152 , and SR 4085 north of PA 152. From Quakertown to Center Valley ,
574-551: Is surrounded on three sides by open country and spread out housing developments. The local firehouse provides various activities throughout the year, including a carnival in the summer. The Holiday House Pool and Recreation Center becomes a hotspot for people to escape the heat during the summer as well. There are various businesses along Main Street, one being the Washington House, which provide some jobs as well, but largely
615-581: Is water. It is located in Southeastern Pennsylvania as part of Northern Bucks County (colloquially referred to as Upper Bucks) which borders Northampton and Lehigh counties . As of the census of 2010, there were 4,249 people living in the borough. The racial makeup of the borough was 93.6% White , 1.8% African American , 0.3% Native American , 1.0% Asian , 0.0% Pacific Islander , 1.0% from other races , and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of
656-509: Is −1.0 °F (−18.3 °C). Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was −12.9 °F (−24.9 °C) on 01/22/1984. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < −12 °F (−24 °C). The average annual snowfall (Nov-Apr) is between 30 inches (76 cm) and 36 inches (91 cm). Ice storms and large snowstorms depositing ≥ 12 inches (30 cm) of snow occur once every few years, particularly during nor’easters from December through February. According to
697-465: The A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Sellersville would have a dominant vegetation type of Appalachian Oak ( 104 ) with a dominant vegetation form of Eastern Hardwood Forest ( 25 ). The plant hardiness zone is 6b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of −1.0 °F (−18.3 °C). The spring bloom typically begins by April 11 and fall color usually peaks by October 29. Bethlehem Pike Bethlehem Pike
738-686: The Köppen climate classification system, Sellersville has a Hot-summer, Humid continental climate ( Dfa ). Dfa climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are slightly humid in Sellersville, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values > 106 °F (41 °C). Since 1981,
779-510: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 9.65 miles (15.53 km) were maintained by the borough. Main Street serves as the main north-south road through Sellersville, becoming Bethlehem Pike to the north and south. Pennsylvania Route 152 passes through Sellersville southwest-northeast along Main Street and Park Avenue, heading northeast into Perkasie . Pennsylvania Route 309 bypasses Sellersville to
820-483: The U.S. Numbered Highway System was established, each designated trail in the United States was given a number and the majority of the Bethlehem Pike was signed as U.S. Route 309 (US 309). During a three-decade period after the system was created, the pike was designated as Pennsylvania Route 12 (PA 12) from Bethlehem to Center Valley . South of Center Valley, the route was known as US 309. By 1960,
861-492: The 21st century, the town remains relatively small, sandwiched in between a ridge line and the larger town of Perkasie . The center of town still runs along Bethlehem Pike which is now called Old Route 309. The Washington House has recently been restored to become an upscale restaurant. Next door to the restaurant was a livery stable, which was converted into a theater and later into a movie theater in 1894. It has since been restored, and reopened in 2001 as Sellersville Theater 1894,
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#1732776309621902-631: The Bethlehem Pike became a free road after it was tolled for a century. When Pennsylvania signed the Sproul Road Bill on May 31, 1911, the state began taking over the highways across the commonwealth. The bill defined the Bethlehem Pike as Legislative Route 297 (LR 297) in Northampton County and LR 153 in Lehigh County . The pike was defined as LR 153 through the counties of Bucks and Montgomery . In 1926, when
943-591: The Pennridge Waste Water Treatment plant. Trash and recycling collection in Sellersville is provided under contract by Republic Services . Cable and internet service in Sellersville is provided by Verizon , Frontier Communications , and Xfinity . Grand View Health operates Grand View Hospital outside Sellersville, serving northern Bucks County. The hospital offers various services including an emergency room , Cancer Care, Orthopaedics, Pediatrics, Surgery, and Women's Health. According to
984-672: The World War I German Veteran league known as the Kyffhauser Bund, declaring that with the start of the war Adolf Hitler would "lick the world" in the new conflict. The camp would eventually be closed after the dissolution of the German American Bund on December 8, 1941, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The town was also home to the Radium Company of America, which was the largest uranium milling facility in
1025-407: The average family size was 3.13. In the borough the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males. The median income for a household in the borough
1066-612: The church and state bells were sent over for safekeeping on the pike. In Quakertown , the wagon carrying the Liberty Bell broke down. The bells had to be unloaded on September 25, 1777. The wagon was repaired, and they were sent to Allentown , where it was hidden from the British on Hamilton Street . The road traverses Rockhill Township, where the New Jersey and Pennsylvania armies listened to Richard Peters in 1799,
1107-429: The highest air temperature was 101.5 °F (38.6 °C) on 07/22/2011, and the highest daily average mean dew point was 74.3 °F (23.5 °C) on 08/12/2016. The average wettest month is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was 6.86 inches (174 mm) on 08/27/2011. During the winter months, the average annual extreme minimum air temperature
1148-553: The north. In the northern regions of Philadelphia, the pike intersected the Old York Road . According to a legend, Tamanend , the great Indian chief, presented all lands within the young Germans' vision. Following the gift they received from the natives, they concluded the ritual, the sun rose, and the men named the spot Rising Sun. During the American Revolutionary War , British officers gathered near
1189-526: The pike dealt with a busy time period, for Bethlehem was crowded with officers, prisoners, and soldiers from the war. There was great excitement in Bethlehem on September 13, 1777, when the Patriot Army retreated from Philadelphia . Later, a letter had arrived by express courier from David Rittenhouse , announcing that all the military stores, in 700 wagons, were sent north on the Bethlehem Pike. Even
1230-603: The pike has an old alignment west of the current designation on PA 309. In the Quakertown area, the PA 309 segment of the pike averages a daily traffic of 18,000 vehicles. North of Center Valley, the road is aligned as PA 378, Old Bethlehem Pike, and Old Philadelphia Pike, with an average traffic of 17,000 vehicles a day on PA 378. The northernmost segment of the pike is known as Main Street in Bethlehem . Lower Gwynedd formed
1271-553: The population. As of the census of 2000, there were 4,564 people, 1,770 households, and 1,198 families living in the borough. The population density was 3,934.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,519.0/km). There were 1,827 housing units at an average density of 1,574.8 per square mile (608.0/km). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.30% White , 0.57% African American , 0.15% Native American , 0.35% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.48% from other races , and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of
Sellersville, Pennsylvania - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-408: The population. There were 1,770 households, out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and
1353-483: The second party who visited the pioneers in the cabin along the banks of the Monocacy Creek . On Christmas Eve 1741, Zinzendorf celebrated a famous love-feast service, during which the new settlement was named Bethlehem. After the founding of Bethlehem, a number of settlements began to rise along the route, causing a constant use of it and the highway to be called King's Road. The first trip made by George Klein
1394-544: The southern terminus of the modern day pike. They gathered in the days their army faced the Continental Army at Whitemarsh . Further north along the route in the Whitemarsh Valley is the site where George Washington held Howe at bay, thus becoming famous in history as Church Hill. Before heading to Valley Forge , Washington and his army encamped here on December 11, 1777. During the revolution,
1435-438: The town remains a residential area. Sellersville Museum is located off Main Street in Sellersville and displays different exhibits every month. The Teller Cigar Factory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the borough has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km), of which 1.2 square miles (3.1 km) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km) (1.69%)
1476-563: The west along a freeway, with interchanges at PA 152 and Lawn Avenue providing access to Sellersville. Pennsylvania Route 563 passes east-west to the north of Sellersville. There is currently no public transportation in Sellersville. Sellersville was once served by SEPTA 's Bethlehem Line which provided passenger service north to Quakertown and Bethlehem and south to Philadelphia , but service ended in 1981. Restoration of train service to Quakertown has been proposed. The East Penn Railroad operates freight service through Sellersville along
1517-610: The world at the time. A business operating under the name of the United States Gauge Company originated in Sellersville in 1904 and allegedly became a prominent manufacturer of gauges for military use, many of which were coated with radium-based paint for night-time luminescence. The company later became instrumental in the production of nuclear weapons, leaving behind a legacy of industrial and radioactive contamination that has been well-hidden by local, county, state, and federal government agencies for decades. In
1558-627: The years until the Industrial Revolution . In the 1860s, the North Pennsylvania Railroad was built, running parallel to Bethlehem Pike: this stimulated the growth of light textile industries and brought a wave of population growth. The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek runs through the town which connects it to an adjacent town of Perkasie . This creek was dammed in the early 20th century creating
1599-469: Was $ 46,500, and the median income for a family was $ 55,313. Males had a median income of $ 38,018 versus $ 27,056 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 19,970. About 5.4% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over. As of 2020 there were 13.33 miles (21.45 km) of public roads in Sellersville, of which 3.68 miles (5.92 km) were maintained by
1640-421: Was built circa 1866, and was then expanded in 1895. It is a 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -story, stone structure that was expanded with the addition of a 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -story, brick structure. Both were plastered and have gable roofs. The building, which ten bays wide and four bays deep, represents the transition of the cigar industry from home-based manufacture efforts to large manufacturing facility production. It
1681-584: Was by stage wagon on September 10, 1763. He later made regular trips between Philadelphia and Bethlehem on a weekly basis. He started on Mondays from the Sun Inn in Bethlehem, and returned from the King of Prussia Inn in Philadelphia , on Thursdays. Bethlehem Pike and Germantown Avenue were the first two segments of the King's Highway, the main road carrying passengers and their goods between Philadelphia and