Pennsylvania Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Lower Salford, Pennsylvania

Population: 12,893

Located in Montgomery County

The area now known as Lower Salford, Upper Salford, Salford and Marlborough Township was originally one municipality known as Salford Township. As this area was too large to govern, and with most of the early settlers located in the lower section of the township, a resident named Jacob Reiff, acting on behalf of his neighbors, submitted a petition to the Philadelphia County officials to create what is now Lower Salford Township.

Lower Salford grew along with its towns and villages - Harleysville, Mainland, Lederach and Vernfield - which usually sprung up with an inn or tavern and a general store at their center. Also located in the towns and villages were the necessary craftsmen, such as tinsmiths, harnessmakers, weavers and carriage-makers. Along streams, grist mills were built to burn the farmers' grains into fine flour and meal. Water-powered mills cut trees into lumber.

Township Parks Board administers various programs. Facilities include camping and picnicking. The Heckler Plains Farmstead is a large conservation area and historical site. The Harleysville Community Center has tennis courts, a public swimming pool and softball fields.

Several small shopping plazas are located along the main street section of the township (Route 63). Other small business are located in the township. The nearest major shopping mall is the Montgomery Mall.