Book excerpt: In the early 1850s, most of what is now Avondale Borough was a large wheat field situated in portions of both New Garden and London Grove Townships. Early Avondale consisted of a stone bridge, four houses, a blacksmith shop, a tailoring shop, a bark mill, and several limekilns. The village, centered on State Street, was served by the Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad and two mail routes. Led by visionary residents such as James Watson, Ziba Lamborn, Chandler Phillips, and Joel B. Pusey, the village grew rapidly in the late 1860s. Recognizing the opportunities provided by Avondale's rail connection to numerous markets and shipping points, these residents purchased land, constructed buildings, and began operating the businesses that became the foundation for the development of Avondale. Through vintage photographs, Avondale celebrates the growth and daily life of this community.