An Early Preservation Success Story

Written by Doug Humes

Photos courtesy of the Marple Historical Society

The Lawrence family (for whom Lawrence Park was named) lived for generations at the confluence of Darby Creek, West Chester Pike, and Lawrence Road, on the border between Marple and Haverford townships. Sometime between 1690 and 1710, Henry Lawrence, an early settler, built a log cabin along the creek. The cabin was expanded over the years – like with the Massey House: Additions were added by subsequent generations as they needed additional space. Nearby they built a saw mill, which continued in operation well into the 20th century.

In 1960, the cabin property was owned by Harry Dash of Broomall. The old home had been vacant for some time, and Dash proposed to demolish the house and replace it with a car wash and bowling alley, two very popular uses in the expanding post-war suburbs. Who would object?

A small band of history-minded people began to voice objections to the demolition of one of the oldest surviving structures in Delaware County. In Haverford, Madge Roney circulated a petition that attracted over 1,000 signatures opposing the demolition. Hilda Lucas of Broomall sought to have the Pennsylvania Historical Commission weigh in. Joyce Adams of the Haverford Historical Society alerted their members to the issue.

Restored Lawrence log cabin along Karakung Drive in Haverford

Photo courtesy of the Haverford Historical Society

The Haverford Township Commissioners offered to allow the building to be moved to a township park site. Delaware County Commissioner (and later US Congressman) G. Robert Watkins voiced his support for saving the building, but not with taxpayers’ money. Dash proposed to give the building to anyone who was willing to take it from his site. Everyone agreed that it should be saved, and that the money should come from someone else. Prayers went up, and an angel appeared.

Lawrence M. C. Smith, a well-to-do Philadelphia lawyer, conservationist, collector and farmer with ancestors in the Marple community, came to the rescue. Dash donated the building to Smith, and in March 1960, the building was carefully dismantled and placed in storage until Haverford Township decided where to host the cabin. Lawrence M. C. Smith provided funds to save the cabin, and several years later saved the Massey House as well

March 7, 1960 headline about threatened demolition of cabin

Volunteers sprang into action. Haverford hosted historic home tours in 1960 and 1961, and donated the proceeds to the renovation effort. A fund was created in memory of Mrs. Charles Carver, former President of the Haverford Historical Society. The log cabin was moved, reassembled and then dedicated at its new site along Karakung Creek on October 7, 1961. It sits there to this day, operated by the Haverford Township Historical Society (www.HaverfordHistoricalSociety.org).

For more on the history of Marple, visit the Marple Historical Society website and Facebook page, and join the Society to keep up to date on coming events: www.MarpleHistoricalSociety.org. Still no events or activities due to social distancing requirements, but hopefully soon — especially resuming Open Houses at the Massey House. Check on Facebook or at our website for more details.