Lower Merion Township near Merion Station in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Philadelphia and Columbia Railway

The Main Line of Public Works of the State of Pennsylvania

— 1834-1857 —

Philadelphia and Columbia Railway Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith S Smith, September 11, 2013

1. Philadelphia and Columbia Railway Marker

Inscription.
One of Americas Earliest Railroads,
it was first powered by horses, later by steam. The right-of-way was on the south-side of Montgomery Avenue across from Merion Friends Meetinghouse.

This railroad was a major route for escaping slaves crossing the Susquehanna River from Maryland. As the freight cars passed this Meetinghouse, several Quaker families, who operated Safe Houses, placed food and water in the cars for escaping slaves.
These are the original “sleeper” stones
which were used as track supports.

Erected by The Lower Merion Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list.

Location. 40° 0.55′ N, 75° 15.223′ W. Marker is near Merion Station, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. It is in Lower Merion Township. It is on Montgomery Avenue, on the right when traveling west. This marker is at the driveway entrance of Merion Friends Meeting House next to the General Wayne Inn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 625 Montgomery Ave, Merion Station PA 19066, 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

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Early Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Merion Friends Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Dickinson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Merion Friends Meeting (about 400 feet away); Washington's Army Encampment (about 500 feet away); James A. Bland (approx. 0.8 miles away); Bala Cynwyd World War I Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad (approx. 1.2 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. The Philadelphia & Columbia Railway. The Lower Merion Historical Society website entry (Submitted on July 11, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Main Line of Public Rail Works. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 19, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)

3. Map of Phila & Columbia RR. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 19, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Keith S Smith, September 19, 2013

2. Philadelphia and Columbia Railway Marker

Photographed by Keith S Smith, September 11, 2013

3. Philadelphia and Columbia Railway Marker

These rails are resting on the original “sleeper” stones which were used as track supports.

Railway Sleeper Stone Detail from marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith S Smith, September 11, 2013

4. Railway Sleeper Stone Detail from marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 771 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 13, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on September 19, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.