Upper Moreland Township near Willow Grove in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Manor House, ca. 1719
On this site stood the first house in the Willow Grove area. Jacob Dubree and his son James purchased 250 acres of land from land speculators, who obtained the land from the heirs of Dr. Nicholas More. Dr. More's land grant from William Penn was known as the Manor of Moreland.
The two-story stone house stood on a slight rise, overlooking a swampy meadow and the Old York Road, laid out in the year 1711 along the Lenni Lenape trail to New York. The Manor House was a perfect example of colonial architecture with the original smaller section later expanded by the Dubrees.
In 1746, the property was advertised for sale as “20 acres of meadow, a double house, good barn, and a fine young orchard.” However, the Dubree house was not sold and remained in the family until 1762 when James Dubree's heirs sold the property to adjoining property and tavern owner, John Paul.
The house was used as a residence through the years, and was restored in the 1940's by owners Harry and Phoebe Patterson. In 1950, the Pattersons sold the property to Upper Moreland Township. The house was used as township adminstrative offices until it was demolished in 1967 to make way for the existing township building complex.
Erected by Upper Moreland Historical Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Native Americans • Notable Buildings • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1711.
Location. 40° 8.678′ N, 75° 7.023′ W. Marker is near Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. It is in Upper Moreland Township. Marker is on Park Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is about 150 feet south of Easton Road (PA Route 611), at the entrance to the Upper Moreland Township administration building parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 Park Avenue, Willow Grove PA 19090, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Red Lion Inn, 1776 (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Hall, 1925 (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Willow Grove (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Fountain House Inn, 1717 (approx. ¼ mile away); Willow Grove United Methodist Church, 1889 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union Library (approx. 2.1 miles away); Hatboro World War I Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Train Crash Claims 26 Lives (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Willow Grove.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,596 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 9, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.