Newtown Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Brooks House
| | Newtown Heritage Walk | |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 28, 2010
1. Brooks House Marker
The Newtown Commons was designed to be land shared by everyone in the Borough and Township. Unfortunately, because no one owned the land, no one took care of it. It appears that some people simply moved onto the land, built a house and lived there. As early as 1715, people in Newtown petitioned the County Court to appoint Trustees to manage the land. In 1796, the Commons was divided into lots and put up for sale. Most of the lots were sold by 1826.
The lot containing the property at 221 North Sycamore Street was sold to William Brooks in April 1824. In the deed, Brooks is described as one who appears to be legally possessed thereof. From records, it is reasoned that Brooks had lived on the land and probably paid rent to the Trustees before he actually purchased it. The Brooks family lived on this property until 1858. The building located on this site has been restored and is now the site of Carriage House Collection.
One of the last members of the Brooks family who owned this property was George Brooks who also owned the Livery Stable on Centre Avenue. George Brooks sold his livery stable to James Cornell, who continued the business into the 1900s, and is shown at left.
Erected 2007 by The Newtown Historical Association and Carriage House Collection/Robert & Sandra Thomas
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, Newtown Heritage Walk series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1824.
Location. 40° 14.028′ N, 74° 56.258′ W. Marker is near Newtown, Pennsylvania, in Bucks County. It is in Newtown Township. It is on North Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 221 N Sycamore St, Newtown PA 18940, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Boyd-Yardley House (within shouting distance of this marker); Goodnoe Farm & Dairy Bar (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Saloon (about 400 feet away); Randall Double House (about 400 feet away); Macedonia Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); William Penn's New Town (about 500 feet away); North State Street (about 600 feet away); The Dolohan House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newtown.
Also see . . . Newtown Heritage Walk. (Submitted on April 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 28, 2010
2. Brooks House and Marker
Looking north.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 28, 2010
3. Brooks House and Marker
Looking south.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 28, 2010
4. Brooks House, 1953
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 28, 2010
5. Cornell's Livery
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., January 28, 2010
6. Brooks' Livery Business Card
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.
7. Heritage Walk Marker Locations
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,030 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 7. submitted on April 16, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
